H.E. DG’s Opening Remarks for the Africa CDC’s Youth Pre-Conference: – Africa CDC

Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed delegates, distinguished guests, and most importantly, the vibrant and dynamic youth leaders of Africa

It is with great pleasure that I stand before you today at the opening of the Youth Pre-Conference on the margins of the 3rd Annual International Conference on Public Health in Africa. This gathering marks a momentous occasion —a celebration of youth leadership, innovation, and commitment to building a Safer and Healthier Africa.

The Role of Youth in Shaping Africa’s Health Security

As we embark on this unprecedented Youth Pre-Conference, we are witnessing an epochal development in public health governance on the African continent. This conference, convened with the theme “Youth Leadership for a Safer and Healthier Africa,” underscores the pivotal role that the youth must play in shaping the health security of our continent.

Youth, constituting around 65% of Africa’s population, are recognized throughout history for their enthusiasm, innovativeness, and energy. Still, actual youth involvement in critical decision-making processes needs to improve, despite this recognition. The aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic has magnified the urgency for change. In addition to promoting engagement, the Youth Pre-Conference 2023 aims to sow the seed that propels Africa’s vibrant youth into public health leadership roles.

A Safer and Healthier Africa: Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Excellencies, esteemed youth delegates, Ladies and gentlemen,

We are here because we recognize that a Safer and Healthier Africa extends beyond the absence of war and blurred socio-economic disparities. It is about achieving a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, as exemplified by the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has been a harsh teacher, emphasizing the need for a robust health infrastructure and resilient health systems.

In the face of these challenges, the Africa CDC, in alignment with the New Public Health Order for Africa, has launched the Youth Advisory Team for Health (YAT4H) and organized this Youth Pre-Conference to amplify the voices and perspectives of young change-makers. This is not just an acknowledgement of your potential but a recognition of your ability to drive transformative change.

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the power of youth-led initiatives, such as the African Union COVID-19 Vaccination Bingwa Initiative. Young Africans took charge, leading grassroots drives that contributed to the increased vaccination rates across the continent. Your efforts in addressing not only the vaccine distribution challenges but also the broader infodemic of false information showcased the tremendous power of young champions in shaping Africa’s health agenda. Young Africans were also at the forefront of innovating and developing novel solutions to the challenges faced by communities during the pandemic. Bingwa is not just about advocating for vaccinations; it’s about fostering a sense of ownership, empowerment, and a collective commitment to public health.

Showcasing Young Leaders’ Ingenuity and Research

I am thrilled to announce that this year’s Youth Pre-Conference and the main Annual International Conference on Public Health in Africa (CPHIA) will feature an impressive array of poster presentations from remarkable young Africans. These presentations will showcase our emerging leaders’ ingenuity and groundbreaking research, both at the forefront of the Youth Pre-Conference and within the broader discussions at CPHIA. This platform provides an invaluable opportunity for these young minds to share their discoveries, innovations, and insights, fostering knowledge exchange and collaboration that will undoubtedly contribute to the advancement of healthcare in Africa. And this platform offers a chance for the elder generations to listen and learn from our youth. The commitment to showcasing the achievements of our youth underscores our belief in the transformative power that young professionals hold in shaping the future of public health on the continent.

Fostering True Youth Leadership and Overcoming Barriers

As we celebrate the achievements of young leaders, we must also acknowledge the challenges that lie ahead. “Meaningful participation” is not just about having a seat at the table; it’s about entrusting the youth with genuine decision-making responsibilities. We must cultivate ecosystems that enable young individuals to initiate, nurture, and lead their own platforms, fostering a culture of true youth leadership.

Moreover, we must recognize the vast spectrum of youth experiences. We must recognize and address the unique challenges faced by individual subsets within this demographic, including young women, those living with disabilities, migrant populations, and other marginalized groups. Only by embracing this diversity can we truly make progress.

The digital revolution, while promising, comes with its own set of barriers. Lack of access to diverse and local funding sources, limited representation, and the need for skills development are challenges we must overcome to ensure sustainable growth for young innovators and researchers. One of the New Public Health Order’s pivotal pillars is the commitment to increased domestic resources for health security. Therefore, by mobilizing fundraising and allocating resources effectively, we aspire to overcome these persistent barriers. The New Public Health Order recognizes that fostering an environment conducive to innovation requires not only financial backing but also a comprehensive approach to skills development and equitable representation.

Recognizing Role Models and Inspirations

Excellencies, esteemed youth delegates, Ladies and gentlemen,

Africa stands in need of role models and inspirations who can serve as guiding lights for our youth. They exemplify the values, virtues, and achievements that young individuals aspire to in their own lives. Role models are living examples of what can be achieved through dedication, perseverance, and a commitment to positive values.

Today, I wish to extend my recognition to two remarkable individuals, our distinguished First Ladies, who grace this occasion with their presence and exemplify the ideals that our young African people can look up to and emulate.

Firstly, let me extend our heartfelt appreciation to Madam Mutinta Hichilema, the First Lady of Zambia, for her unwavering commitment to humanitarian causes and her active engagement in community development programs across Zambia. Madam Mutinta Hichilema’s dedication to uplifting the lives of her fellow citizens is commendable. She also serves as the Ambassador of the Merck Foundation’s “More Than a Mother” Campaign, highlighting the vital role of women in society beyond motherhood. Her advocacy for religious tolerance and interfaith harmony in Zambia is another testament to her commitment to unity and understanding among people of different faiths. Her initiatives aimed at promoting social cohesion and national development reflect her deep concern for the well-being of her nation.

Our second guest of honor is the esteemed First Lady of Namibia, Monica Geingos, a figure of outstanding influence and leadership. Notably, she currently serves as the President of the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD), a role that underscores her commitment to

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 4: Quality Education
• SDG 5: Gender Equality
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The article discusses the importance of youth involvement in shaping the health security of Africa, which aligns with SDG 3. It also mentions the need to address the unique challenges faced by subsets within the youth demographic, such as young women and marginalized groups, which connects to SDG 5 and SDG 10. The article also highlights the role of youth-led initiatives in addressing the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, which relates to SDG 8. Additionally, the mention of partnerships and collaboration throughout the article aligns with SDG 17.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 3.2: By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age.
• Target 3.3: By 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases, and other communicable diseases.
• Target 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including among others through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship, and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development.
• Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic, and public life.
• Target 8.6: By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training.
• Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.
• Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology and financial resources, to support the achievement of the sustainable development goals in all countries.

Based on the article’s content, the targets mentioned above are relevant to the issues discussed. These targets focus on reducing preventable deaths, ending epidemics, promoting quality education, ensuring women’s participation in decision-making, reducing youth unemployment, promoting social inclusion, and enhancing global partnerships.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator 3.2.1: Under-five mortality rate
• Indicator 3.3.1: Number of new HIV infections per 1,000 uninfected population, by sex, age, and key populations
• Indicator 4.7.1: Extent to which (i) global citizenship education and (ii) education for sustainable development (including climate change education) are mainstreamed in (a) national education policies; (b) curricula; (c) teacher education; and (d) student assessment
• Indicator 5.5.1: Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments and local governments
• Indicator 8.6.1: Proportion of youth (aged 15-24 years) not in education, employment, or training
• Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex, and persons with disabilities
• Indicator 17.16.1: Number of countries reporting progress in multi-stakeholder development effectiveness monitoring frameworks that support the achievement of the sustainable development goals

The article does not explicitly mention indicators, but the identified targets can be measured using the indicators listed above. These indicators provide specific metrics to track progress towards the targets, such as under-five mortality rate, HIV infection rates, women’s representation in parliaments, youth not in education or employment, poverty rates, and progress in multi-stakeholder development effectiveness monitoring frameworks.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Join us, as fellow seekers of change, on a transformative journey at https://sdgtalks.ai/welcome, where you can become a member and actively contribute to shaping a brighter future.