Monika Amunyela

Over 200 young leaders from across the Commonwealth met in Windhoek recently for the first Commonwealth Youth Leadership Consultative Dialogue.

Backed by the Commonwealth Youth Council (CYC) and the Commonwealth Secretariat, the event was hosted by Namibia’s Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture. 

Its goal was to provide young people with a platform to share ideas, advocate for change and connect with others working toward a positive impact.

Education minister Sanet Steenkamp hoped the talks would lead to real action and not just words. 

“I want the event to inspire stronger youth leadership and produce the Windhoek Declaration, a statement built from the voices and needs of young people,” she said.

The Declaration aims to anchor Commonwealth youth action in the principles of justice, equity and inclusion, as well as promote stronger youth participation in decision-making at different levels, ensuring that young people are not just heard but empowered to contribute to policies and programmes that affect them.

Joshua Opey, head of the Commonwealth Youth Council, spoke about the pressure young people face today. 

“From finding work to dealing with climate change and mental health issues, these problems show why youth groups need more support and resources to create change in their communities,” he stated.

Alongside the main dialogue, Co-creation HUB (CcHUB) Namibia held a side event with delegates from the Commonwealth Youth Council, focusing on Africa’s creative and innovation ecosystem.

The session united innovators, entrepreneurs and industry leaders to explore strategies for securing Africa’s creative and technological future.

CcHUB Namibia Lead Jude Adejuwon said young people are reshaping the continent’s economy through creativity and resourcefulness.

“From the different countries that we have all come from, one thing I am certain of is that young people are increasingly finding and reusing ways and programmes to explore their creativity. The future of our continent lies in the hands of our young people,” he said.

During the side dialogue, an innovation exhibition allowed young Namibians to present their products and solutions directly to CYC representatives, allowing them to get feedback and opening the door for partnerships that could help local innovators gain visibility all over Africa and beyond.

-monikaamunyela2@gmail.com