Theme: Advancing Democratic Resilience at the Intersection of Human Rights and Environmental Justice
Date: 28 March 2025
Location: United Nations, Nairobi, Kenya (TBC)
Host: The Youth Café, CAHED Kenya, CVA Rwanda, Afrobarometer, and SOMWA
Overview
The Global Democracy Coalition (GDC) African Regional Forum 2025, organized by The Youth Cafe, is a flagship event focused on addressing the intersection of democracy, human rights, and environmental justice in Africa. This regional dialogue aims to explore how democratic governance can effectively tackle environmental challenges while upholding human rights, emphasizing the pivotal role of youth leadership and grassroots activism.
As Africa faces disproportionate impacts from climate change and environmental degradation, this forum will spotlight the urgent need for democratic resilience and renewal to combat these crises. The event will bring together policymakers, civil society leaders, youth activists, and international organizations to share best practices, foster collaboration, and craft actionable solutions for democratic and environmental sustainability.
The sub-theme, “Combating Corruption as a Catalyst for Democratic Renewal and Environmental Resilience,” underscores the critical need to address corruption as a systemic barrier to governance and justice.
The forum will feature a combination of keynote speeches, panel discussions, and interactive breakout sessions, culminating in the development of practical recommendations to strengthen democratic governance across Africa.
Introduction
Africa stands at a critical juncture, grappling with the dual challenges of promoting democratic governance and addressing socio-environmental injustices. Systemic corruption remains a significant hurdle, with 64% of Africans perceiving it as worsening, according to Transparency International’s 2023 Global Corruption Barometer; notable cases include Zimbabwe’s “Gold Mafia” scandal and South Africa’s state capture revelations.
Human rights violations are equally alarming, exemplified by violent crackdowns on Generation Z-led protests against Kenya’s controversial Finance Bill and the tragic rise of femicide in South Africa, where 11 women are murdered daily. Meanwhile, environmental degradation compounds these challenges, with illegal oil refining in Nigeria’s Niger Delta destroying ecosystems and prolonged drought in the Horn of Africa leaving over 20 million people food insecure. These interconnected issues threaten democratic progress, demand urgent reforms, and call for concerted efforts from governments, civil society, and international partners.
The human rights landscape in Africa continues to witness setbacks. Reports by organizations such as Amnesty International highlight rising concerns around shrinking civic spaces, suppression of freedoms, and increasing instances of electoral violence. For example, in 2023, Sudan experienced widespread human rights violations during internal conflict, displacing over 3.5 million people, while protests against authoritarianism in Zimbabwe and Guinea were met with heavy crackdowns. The intersection of governance and human rights remains clear: corruption erodes trust in public institutions and limits access to justice, education, and healthcare, affecting marginalized populations most acutely.
Environmental justice presents another critical frontier for Africa’s democratic future. Climate change disproportionately impacts African nations, which contribute less than 4% to global emissions but face devastating consequences such as droughts, floods, and food insecurity. For instance, recent droughts in the Horn of Africa affected over 36 million people, while mining activities in countries like Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo have led to environmental degradation and displacement of indigenous communities.
However, progress is underway. Civil society organizations, youth movements, and local communities are leading the charge for change. The African Climate Summit in 2023 emphasized regional ownership of climate solutions, and Kenya’s landmark Climate Change Act highlights steps toward environmental accountability. Similarly, community-led movements like South Africa’s “Right2Know” campaign and Kenya’s recent grassroots anti-corruption protests demonstrate the region’s resilience.
The Youth Café (TYC) has been a steadfast advocate for human rights and environmental justice across Africa, driving impactful programs that empower youth and foster sustainable practices. Through Intergenerational Dialogue programs, TYC has amplified youth voices in decision-making processes, while its environmental campaigns promote actionable solutions to climate challenges.
Despite progress, African youth face persistent barriers, including limited access to political processes, economic instability, and restrictive laws curbing activism. These challenges, however, present opportunities for transformative change. With Africa’s rapidly growing youth population, investments in education, leadership development, and digital literacy can unlock their potential as catalysts for democratic resilience.
The Forum Key partners such as Afrobarometer contribute data-driven insights on governance, enabling advocacy to address systemic issues. Organizations like SOMWA and CAHED tackle gendered inequalities and community-specific challenges, while the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) strengthens governance by addressing corruption and organized crime. Together, these entities exemplify the power of collaboration, innovation, and inclusion in building transparent democracies.
The GDC Africa Regional Forum underscores that inclusive governance models integrating youth voices are essential for advancing democratic renewal. Digital platforms and intergenerational dialogues can bridge gaps, enabling youth to hold leaders accountable and champion environmental and social justice. The GDC Africa Forum offers an invaluable platform to harness these opportunities, promoting youth-led advocacy and action in the pursuit of stronger, more inclusive democracies.
Against this backdrop, the Global Democracy Coalition Africa Regional Forum 2025 seeks to tackle corruption as a root cause undermining democratic resilience and human rights, while positioning environmental justice as a vital priority. The forum will facilitate inclusive conversations, generate actionable strategies, and inspire collaborative efforts to create a more resilient, just, and sustainable Africa.
Detailed Agenda
8:00 – 9:30 a.m.
Registration
- Participants arrive, register, and receive event materials.
- Networking opportunities for attendees.
9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Opening Session
- Welcome Remarks: Overview of the forum’s objectives and key themes.
- Keynote Speech:
- Speaker: Prominent expert on Africa’s democracy, human rights, and environmental justice.
- Topic: Setting the stage for discussions on democratic governance and environmental justice in the African context.
10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Panel Discussion 1: Addressing Key Challenges to Democracy, Human Rights, and Environmental Justice
- Focus Areas:
- Exploring how democratic governance can address environmental crises while safeguarding human rights.
- Highlighting the role of youth activism and grassroots organizations in driving change.
- Panelists:
- Experts, policymakers, civil society leaders, and youth advocates.
11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Tea Break
- Opportunity for informal networking and refreshments.
12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Breakout Sessions (World Café Format)
- Participants engage in rotating discussions at thematic tables, guided by facilitators.
- Themes:
- Innovative solutions to strengthen democratic institutions.
- Best practices in environmental justice and climate resilience.
- The role of youth and civil society in driving democratic reforms.
- Outcome: Key takeaways synthesized and presented during the closing session.
1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Lunch Break
- Time for networking and relaxation.
2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Panel Discussion 2: Anti-Corruption Efforts and Collective Action for Governance and Justice
- Focus Areas:
- Examination of successful anti-corruption initiatives.
- Strategies to achieve good governance and environmental accountability.
- Speakers:
- Experts and practitioners leading anti-corruption efforts across Africa.
3:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Panel Discussion 3: Breaking Barriers – Challenges and Solutions for Youth Participation
- Focus Areas:
- Identifying systemic, economic, and social barriers limiting youth participation in politics.
- Exploring the role of education, technology, and intergenerational collaboration.
- Key Questions:
- What systemic barriers prevent youth from engaging in politics in Africa?
- How can political institutions create more inclusive spaces for youth?
- What successful strategies or case studies can be replicated across regions?
4:30 – 5:00 p.m.
Closing Session
- Insights and Recommendations:
- Summarizing key takeaways from breakout sessions and panels.
- Presentation of actionable recommendations to advance democratic resilience and environmental justice.
- Closing Remarks:
- Recap of the forum outcomes.
- Emphasis on partnerships and commitments to sustainable progress.
Expected Outcomes
- Actionable Recommendations: Development of regionally adaptable strategies to combat corruption, strengthen democratic institutions, and enhance environmental resilience.
- Youth Leadership Recognition: Highlighting youth-led initiatives and grassroots movements as models for democratic and environmental innovation.
- Cross-Sector Collaboration: Encouraging partnerships between governments, civil society, and youth organizations to drive collective action.
- Capacity Building: Equipping participants with tools and resources to address challenges and implement solutions in their local contexts.
This event represents a vital step in empowering Africa’s youth and fostering democratic renewal, environmental justice, and human rights in an increasingly complex global landscape.