I recently had the honour of representing the UNITED! Movement and Uganda at the Youth Connekt Africa Summit in Kigali, Rwanda, from 8-10 November 2024. This event was not only an opportunity for networking but also a powerful call to action. My name is Trevor Emojel, and as a passionate advocate for youth empowerment, health, and innovation, I want to amplify the voices of young people living with HIV across Africa and beyond.
When I arrived and the sessions began, my first thought was, “This was the perfect gathering for young changemakers.” By the end of it, I still thought the same.
The Youth Connekt Summit brought together over 3,000 young leaders, innovators, and policymakers from 33 countries, all united under the inspiring theme “Jobs for Youth through Innovative Skilling.” This summit provided an educational platform for exchanging ideas, celebrating youth-driven solutions, and advancing the conversation on how Africa’s youth can lead the continent forward.
During the opening session, His Excellency Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda, shared heartfelt reflections on his journey as a young leader. His words resonated deeply, urging us to embrace innovation, self-belief, and collective progress. We also heard from Ms. Mumbi Ndungu, a driven young entrepreneur whose tech initiative has generated jobs for thousands of young Africans, reinforcing that youth leadership is about taking action, not just expressing ambition.
One of the highlights of my experience was co-moderating a high-level plenary session titled “Thrive Together: Elevating Youth Health and Wellbeing for a Brighter Africa.” This session tackled critical issues in mental health and sexual and reproductive health (SRH), emphasising their vital role in unlocking the youth's potential. Key speakers, including Rwanda’s Minister of Youth and Arts, Hon. Utumatwishima Jean Nepo Abdullah, and UNFPA Regional Director Lydia Zigomo, provided invaluable insights into the urgent need for integrated health interventions for young people.
Ms. Zigomo’s remarks on alarming rates of suicide and maternal mortality among adolescent girls highlighted that prioritising youth health is not a luxury—it's an essential investment in Africa’s future.
There were many inspirational moments and key takeaways, but the one that captivated me the most was the Hanga Pitch-Fest. Young innovators showcased transformative solutions to various employment and social challenges. Witnessing these projects reaffirmed my belief in the limitless potential of African youth as development drivers.
From this summit, I walked away with three key lessons that will shape my advocacy moving forward. The first is that innovation is Africa’s Future. Digital skilling and entrepreneurship are crucial for tackling unemployment and creating opportunities across the continent. They are not just buzzwords; they are essential tools for our youth.
The second key takeaway is that collaboration amplifies impact. A siloed approach to youth programming limits our collective potential. By fostering partnerships and working together, we can develop more inclusive and practical solutions that resonate with our communities needs.
The third lesson emphasises that health, particularly mental health and (SRH) must be the foundation of development. These aspects should be prioritised in all agendas, including health, development, and education. A healthy generation is more productive and better prepared to foster sustainable development.
These lessons have deepened my commitment to advocating for holistic and inclusive strategies that empower young people and foster long-term growth.
As I move forward, I am dedicated to amplifying conversations on youth health, fostering collaborations with like-minded organisations, and promoting innovative skilling for young people. By focusing on these areas, I hope to create a network of changemakers capable of addressing the unique challenges faced by youth, especially those living with HIV in Uganda. The summit reinforced my belief that young people are not just the leaders of tomorrow; they are the architects of change today.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the UNITED! Movement, Y+ Global, AfriYAN, and the support from UNICEF, UNFPA, and UNAIDS East and Southern Africa Regional Offices for making this opportunity possible. Meaningful change can begin with a small action, which can grow into something much bigger—a movement of changemakers!