Youth in Governance: Accountability, Participation, and Pathways
Young people are not just the leaders of tomorrow — they are active agents of governance today. Yet too often, youth voices are marginalized in decisions that shape their lives, from child protection systems to education and career pathways. What would it look like to build truly youth-responsive ecosystems — across corporates, public institutions, and civil society — that not only include youth but are accountable to them?
This session will spotlight the role of adolescents and youth in shaping governance, reforming protection systems, and building responsive structures that give young people space to act in their local contexts. Together, we’ll explore how participation, accountability, and education can converge to unlock the full potential of youth in systems change.
Speakers
Abigail Kajuma — CEO of Emerging Public Leaders, strengthening organizations and cultivating ethical public sector leaders across Africa.
Diana Amabelle Nwakanma — Director of Programmes & Partnerships at LEAP Africa with 15+ years of experience advancing youth, gender equity, and social innovation.
Neeru Malhotra — COO of Pravah in India, a systems leader embedding youth centricity and gender justice into large-scale programs and policies.
What to Expect
Center youth voices – Explore how young people can shape governance and hold institutions accountable.
Reimagine child protection – Discuss reforms that ensure children grow up in families and communities of care.
Build responsive ecosystems – Examine how corporations, governments, and civil society can create spaces for youth participation.
Link governance to opportunity – Connect career education and skills pathways with youth agency and leadership.
Why Join?
Rethink youth not just as beneficiaries but as co-creators of governance and accountability.
Learn from youth leaders driving change in child protection, education, and civic spaces.
Share experiences in building youth-responsive systems across sectors.
Walk away with strategies for embedding youth participation into governance and decision-making.
Who Should Attend?
Youth leaders and advocates shaping governance and accountability.
Funders and policymakers committed to youth-responsive systems.
Practitioners in child protection, education, and workforce development.
Anyone seeking to strengthen youth agency in governance and community leadership.