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National Youth Conference in Dakar: engaging ECOWAS in a new vision for youth

West Africa is currently facing profound socio-political and economic changes, which are affecting all sections of society. Young people, in particular, are bearing the brunt of these changes, whilst already facing major challenges relating to employability, education, climate change and vocational training. This complex situation calls for concerted action to develop public and regional policies capable of bringing about a qualitative transformation in young people’s futures. At the regional level, ECOWAS is committed to giving young people a prominent role, making them a central pillar of community development and regional integration. ECOWAS is determined to work with young people to tackle regional challenges together and to ensure peace, security and inclusive development. This vision positions young people as a genuine driving force for the region’s development and integration. The Forum is intended to be a space for young people to express themselves and engage in direct dialogue. It offers them the opportunity to propose innovative approaches to redefining a regional policy tailored to their needs and aspirations. This innovative approach to contemporary issues is fully in line with ECOWAS’s Vision 2050, which aims to empower the region’s young people and strengthen their competitiveness in a constantly changing world. The national conference in Dakar follows on from those held in Cotonou and Accra. Along with Côte d’Ivoire, these countries were selected for the pilot phase, the outcomes of which will inform the regional conferences to be held in the first quarter of 2025.