ECOWAS hosts national youth forum in Benin as part of regional consultations

From November 4 to 5, 2024, Cotonou was the venue for the ECOWAS National Youth Conference. This event was organized by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission through its Youth & Sports Development Centre (EYSDC), in collaboration with Benin's Ministry of Sports and the Regional Analysis and Social Expertise Laboratory.

The conference, themed ‘Engaging ECOWAS for a new vision on youth,’ aimed to foster direct exchanges with young people in West Africa. The initiative seeks to improve dialogue with youth, enhance their current conditions, boost competitiveness, and secure their future. It underscores that young people are vital contributors to governance, community building, and creating peaceful environments.

The national conference in Benin served as a precursor to similar events planned in Ghana, Senegal, and Côte d’Ivoire. It focused on employability and professional integration while proposing ways to improve living conditions for young people. Over two days, participants discussed challenges and solutions while making commitments for regional youth welfare. They also drafted messages to advocate for youth within decision-making bodies.

These four countries represent a pilot phase in ECOWAS's regional consultation effort involving young people about West Africa's future. The consultations will inform a regional youth conference scheduled in Senegal during the first quarter of 2025.

At the opening session on November 4, Ambassador Amadou DIONGUE, ECOWAS Resident Representative in Benin, spoke on behalf of Professor Fatou SOW SARR from ECOWAS. He expressed gratitude towards Benin’s government for supporting this initiative and emphasized the importance of youth participation in shaping West Africa's future.

Professor Alix Servais AFOUDA from the Regional Analysis and Social Expertise Laboratory thanked ECOWAS and its Youth & Sports Development Centre for facilitating this event. He noted that representatives from various parts of Benin participated based on criteria ensuring representativeness.

Professor John IGUE from RASEL appreciated ECOWAS’s trust in organizing these consultations. He highlighted challenges such as lack of follow-up on decisions and reducing foreign influence but praised this grassroots consultation approach before policy formulation.