Harnesing our collective efforts; How CSOs and Youth Meaningfully Engaged for Transformative Action at ARFSD11
By Hellen Malinga Apila – Program Lead-SDGs Kenya Forum
The eleventh session of the Africa regional Forum on Sustainable development (ARFSD11) was held at Speke Resort Munyoyo in Kampala Uganda under the theme “Driving job creation and economic growth through sustainable, inclusive, science-and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063.” ARFSD was jointly organized by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the Government of the Republic of Uganda in collaboration with the African Union Commission, the African Development Bank and the United Nations system organisations. The European Union (EU) was among other development partners who supported the AU, UNECA and Uganda’s efforts to convene this years’ conference.
This was an inclusive and structured dialogue space marked by an increase in participation and contributions of CSOs and the youth. Among these were the EU-Kenya Meaningful Engagement, Transformative Action (META ) delegates who leveraged FEMNET’s and SDG Kenya Forum’s expertise as convener organizations to host side events, speak in various actively and actively participate in decision-making processe at the regional forum. There was strong visibillity of CSOs and youth voices through out the sessions that facilitated and coordinated the sharing of experiences, ideas, information, and strategies for human rights promotion. Through networking, communication, capacity-building and advocacy, the delegates were intentional and used our collective CSO position paper and African Women’s manjor group position paper in influencing decisions, constantly ensuring Kenyan voices, in particular those of women and girls, and young people are amplified and their needs, priorities and aspirations are prioritized in policies that have direct and indirect impact on their lives.This is in line with the EU Roadmap of engagement with civil society in Kenya for the period 2022-2025. This blog focuses on sharing my relfections on some of the sessions that were relevant to the EU priority areas.
Harnessing science, technology, innovation and digital transformation, revealed that Africa is grappling with a significant digital divide on access to technology, connectivity and digital literacy. To effectively bridge this divide, it is crucial to tailor global strategies to local needs that are secure, safe, inclusive, empowering local communities to drive the digitalization agenda aligned with the SDGs and the global digital compact.
The sessions highlighted the EU-AU Partnerships, where African member states placed high priority on transitioning to green economies that balance the goals of economic growth, job creation, environmental conservation, resilience, and mitigating climate change. Harnessing science, technology, innovation and digital transformation to underpin sustainable, inclusive, science-based and evidence-based solutions for economic growth, job creation and accelerated implementation of
the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063. The speakers from Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, Mauritious, UNECA and UNESCO covered the following critical areas: Digital transformation, economic growth strategies, science diplomacy, healthcare innovation, STEM education, science technology innovation strategy implementation, digital transportation, Gender equality in Science Technology and Innovation (STI), & marine resources sustainability. There is need for a more targeted approach that ensures a comprehensive exploration of STIs, multifaceted approaches in advancing sustainable development in Africa. Watch Live https://www.youtube.com/live/TBL-ukucOWw
Speakers also shared country, cross boarder and regional/continetal examples of initiatives that are supporting the implementation of safe, clean, high quality and efficient public transport systems in different countries included green mobility and human centered digitalization projects which seek to bring about a fundamental shift in economic models, integrating sustainable growth with the preservation of the environment and climate resilience.
Recognizing that digital public infrastructure has the power to drive economic development across Africa, enabling economic growth and improving governance, while bridging the digital divide. Leveraging digital solutions and AI to improve transport systems is imperative for Africa now and in the future. It was noted that successful transport digitalization requires updated validated data, cross boarder and sector collaborations with an enabling policy and regulatory framework. Member states should invest in national digital infrastructure and policy frameworks that accommodate emerging technologies like AI and autonomous transport systems.
Cognisant that Human centres digitalization cannot wait, there was a call for members states to increase commitment to invest in affordable widespread internet access especially in rural areas and employing community led approaches. Through partnerships that fciliate and support the last mile connectivity initatives, African nations can bridge the digital divide, enhance governance and address local challenges in agriculture, education, health care and beyond. Governments should therefore incentivise sustainable innovations that align with national development priorities.
To bridge the gaps in education outcomes and the job market requirements for young people, there is need to create linkages between education institutions and employment industries-to address the challenges of industrialization of the region and align the skills to available job market needs. Noted that TVET education sector is progressive because of the funding that encourages students to pursue TVET courses in colleges. Support should also go towards production of low-cost teaching materials for consistency across the industry. Institutionalize national STEM teacher professional development-budgets for establishments of digital insfrastructure, internet connectivity, mobile labs, solar powered hubs and knowledge sharing centres. Called for UNECA to facilitate joint AAU-TVET commission summits-to move the sector towards achieveing higher policy & political will, like that achieved in STEM.
African Countries also showed commitment to Gender equality and human rights, with positive progress occurring in the implementation of the various international instruments, including CEDAW, Beijing platform for Action, SDG5 and other gender equality targets in the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development and Africas’ Agenda 2063. There was recognition that while countries have
progressive in the Constitutions and Bill of Rights and legal space there is still work to be done to address intersecting inequalities.
However, Key note speakers noted Africa’s low performance in SDG3-good health and wellbeing. Despite Africa accounting for 16% of the global population, it bears 23% of the global disease burden and persistent high maternal mortality (WHO 2024). SDG 5-Gender equality the AU gender score card reflects promises that remain unfulfilled with only25% parliamentary seats held by women, this is a low representation of women in leadership and decision making despite the commitments of ensuring 2/3rd gender quarters in national policies and legal frameworks. Other gaps on gender indicators related to SDG 8 on decent work and economic growth and SDG 14 -life below water. Watch Live https://www.youtube.com/live/TBL-ukucOWw
The gender gap in STEM and Women participation is also still glaring, with recognision that it is essential to develop an engaging STEM curriculum, offer scholarships, establish mentorship programs and implement supportive policies. Member states should create comprehensive national action plans that focus on context specific curriculum reforms, teacher training in specific skills, and establish innovation hubs to commercialise research and support infrastructure development. Develop frameworks for university and industry collaborations to align STEM education with labour market needs. Increasing women’s participation and visibility in STEM is crucial in promoting STEM education, empowering underrepresented and achieving equitable development.
The FEMNET side event titled “African Feminist and youth led climate financing alternatives” highlighted the gender gaps in climate action, which impact Africa’s achievemnt of SDGs under review. This has been slow due to many challenges: climate crisis, heavy debt burdens and conflicts, whose impacts on development are projected to grow and become more disruptive and deadly in the near future. Gender Discrimination against young women increases the employment opportunities even when they apply for climate financing, they may not be accredited to receive the funds. This calls for Climate justice for those in the frontline communities, especially the women and girls, indigenous communities and pwople with disabilities who deserve to be treated with Dignity and justice. The Loss and damage funds and the nationaly determined contributions (NDCs) should consider providing grants as reparations from the countries who are contributing most to climate change towards African frontline communities and those most likely to be left behind.
META consotrium partners side event Title: Strengthening the means of implementation-Interactive Dialogue with National Non state SDGs Coordination Mechanisms was convened by SDGs Kenya Forum in collaboration with peer CSO coordination mechanisms from Uganda and Columbia and the EU-META consortium partners. It brought together more than 30 participants from across the CSOs, Academia, youth, and government delegations. Speakers called for funding mechanisms that enable CSOs to take more bold and radical collaborations rather than creating negative competition for donor funds, with localised AID that positions CSOs and Africa as a continent as equal partners rather than baggers. They also called for stronger intracontinental collaborations and South to South collaborations, adaptability, learning and flexibility for South-to-South cooperation to work, especially to drive regional solutions and approaches. Strengthen inclusivity and diversity by ensuring
equal representation of all partners and groups that are most likely to be left behind at the decision-making tables, ensuring open dialogue spaces that allow trust building. Opening more spaces for Civil society and inclusion of the youth, women, people with disabilities and minority groups, ensuring increased involvement in key regional and global policy and decision-making spaces through government delegations
The 5 days agenda also encompassed high level panels that built on the outcome of the summit of the future and the second world summit for social development. The parallel sessions addressed the key subthemes of the Forum: Good health and well being, Gender equality, Decent work and economic growth, Life below water, and partnerships for the goals of the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063. Live coverage https://www.youtube.com/live/R3hdDL3s-Ek
The power of Data and statistics: The UN joint programing approach focuses on promotion of evidence-based planning, to enable countries to leverage use of data and statistics. To improve policy and decision making while considering the interest of future generations we need to adopt evidence-based planning, have statistics to show us what is working and what is not working. Supporting the digitalization of national population, housing and livestock census, requires collaboration with all key stakeholders and partners to strengthen data and statistical echosystems.
Harnessing Africa’s youth divident: the Positioning of young people as active agents was strong and evident in the sharing of stratgeies on how to effectvely egage the youth including the following:
Youth engagements: Working with government and other stakeholders to support youth participation and leadership, making sure that these mechanisms are institutionalised, they become common practice. For example, the intergenerational dialogues to enable young people make contributions to national development processes. Supporting innovations for and by youth, promote investments in youth led innovations, digital technology and participation in other sectors as part of national development processes, particularly in the areas of green economy, supporting young entrepreneurs and youth led tourism through public private partnerships. Mainstreaming the interest of young people in national evidence-based planning, supporting integrational dialogues, and conflict resolution. Inclusive stakeholder participation in the development process. Information, sensitization and implementation, of young people to ensure various actors play their role for countries to allow young people progress and improve livelihoods. Advocacy that young people should not be seen just as beneficiaries but rather actors, where governments must position young people as key stakeholders. Watch the Live coverage https://www.youtube.com/live/R3hdDL3s-Ek
Plenary round-table panel on voluntary national and local reviews as a means of fostering sustainable, inclusive, science-based, evidence-based and data-driven solutions to dramatically increase economic growth, job creation and the pace and scale of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063. https://www.youtube.com/live/mgLVO8RQdSE
The forum comluded with the Consideration and adoption of key messages and the Kampala declaration on sustainable, inclusive, science-based and evidence-based solutions for driving job creation and economic growth and for implementing the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063. And the announcement of the theme, dates and venue of the twelfth session of the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development. https://www.youtube.com/live/mgLVO8RQdSE
