The Africa Children’s Summit held at St Johns College empowers youth
Children from Africa discussed key issues, empowering them to shape policy recommendations that prioritise children's voices and rights.
Over 1 000 children from across Africa gathered at St John’s College in Parktown from April 4 to 7 for the second annual Africa Children’s Summit (ACS). The summit, held under the theme: Seen, Heard, and Engaged, provided a platform for young voices to address key issues affecting their lives and the future of the continent. This year’s event was hosted by the South African government, through the Department of Social Development, in partnership with the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund.
Read more: The Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund pre-summit sets the stage for the Africa Children’s Summit 2025
The summit, which was entirely child-led, brought together delegates from countries including South Africa, Mozambique, Kenya, Ghana, Uganda, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, and more. The children were given the responsibility of leading sessions, chairing discussions, and presenting policy recommendations which will help shape future government and organisational approaches to child welfare across Africa.
One of the key highlights of the summit was the creation of an outcome statement, drafted by the children. This document outlines actionable policy recommendations and advocacy priorities, calling for greater inclusion of children in the development of policies that affect their well-being. It also urges governments, civil societies, and regional bodies, such as the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, to take concrete steps towards ensuring children’s voices are heard and considered in decision-making processes.
“The voices of children are often overlooked, but this summit shows that we are not just the leaders of tomorrow. We are the leaders of today,” said 17-year-old Ison Cumbane from Mozambique. “We are here to ensure that our rights are recognised and that we have a say in how our futures are shaped.”
Also read: SME Growth Summit 2024 empowers small businesses
The summit also acknowledged the efforts of governments, organisations, and individuals who have made significant contributions to the well-being of children across the continent. At the same time, participants challenged these entities to do more, urging them to act faster and listen more attentively to the needs of Africa’s youth.
The event culminated in the adoption of an action plan for continued youth involvement in the design of child protection programmes and policies across Africa. This plan, along with the outcome statement, will be presented to policymakers, including the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund and other influential bodies.
As the summit drew to a close, it was clear that this gathering of young leaders was not just a conversation, but a movement. The children who attended the ACS are not waiting for a better future; they are creating it themselves. With their voices now at the centre of policy discussions, Africa’s youth are poised to drive real, meaningful change across the continent.
Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We’d love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts!
Related article: Johannesburg hosts largest-ever disability summit and career expo
