Our Future Agenda

Panel of the Future

The need for young African voices in global governance is clear.

The Panel of the Future is a groundbreaking collaboration between the African Union Office of the Youth Envoy and the Our Future Agenda program, empowering the next generation of African leaders to engage in meaningful dialogue on the continent’s trajectory.

This milestone initiative redefines the role of young African leaders in shaping policy, fostering a sense of ownership and empowering them to advocate for their futures. It is a critical platform for intergenerational engagement addressing the pressing challenges facing Africa today.

 

What We Do

Led by the African Union Youth Envoy, the AU Panel of the Future positions young African leaders to influence global governance. This panel assembles a diverse group of young influencers, fostering dialogue, promoting collaboration, and generating actionable insights on key issues that impact the continent and its future.

By connecting young advocates with decision-makers, the panel bridges the gap between aspirations and policy, making it possible for young people to actively shape the policies that affect their communities. The Panel of the Future embodies a vision where young African leaders are seen, heard, and valued as essential contributors to a more inclusive future.

Panel of the Future

Chido Mpemba

Zimbabwe

Convener

Vimbai Masiyiwa

Zimbabwe

Health

Charlene Ruto

Kenya

Politics, Gender, Climate

Jake Bediako

Ghana

Governance

Esias Bendingar

Chad

Health

Chimdi Neliaku

Nigeria

Public Policy and Law

Kolawole Olajide

South Africa

Education

Satta Sheriff

Liberia

Human Rights

Melvyn Lubega

Uganda

Technology

Khouloud Ben Mansour

Tunisia

Youth, Peace & Security

Santher Mbacham

Cameroon

Social Development

Nhial Deng

South Sudan

Humanitarian

How to Engage


Are you a young African leader ready to make your voice heard? Engage in many of the events hosted by the African Union Youth Envoy Office, listen to the Africa Rising podcast to get familiar with relevant discussion points and help shape the governance of tomorrow.

We also welcome partnerships with organizations and individuals committed to young people empowerment. Stay engaged through our newsletters and social media to learn about upcoming opportunities for involvement. Together, we can ensure that young leaders are not just part of the conversation but leading it.

Our Impact

The Panel of the Future is prioritizing the voice of young Africans by:

Identifying smart buys for the future

Which are  strategic investments in the well-being of young people and young countries, using foresight mapping and intergenerational insights.

Providing a group of leading minds and changemakers

The Panel of the Future fosters global dialogue on Africa’s future, shaping discussions and decisions on the continent’s trajectory, especially in the context of global cooperation and governance. Panelists attend several key engagements across the globe advocating for the much needed ideas relevant to the lives of young people on the planet while prioritizing an intergenerational approach to Africa’s development agenda, aiming for sustainable and inclusive growth across the continent.

Input to the 2100 Roadmap

The Panel of the Future mobilization and insights will be essential in shaping a comprehensive strategy at the final SDG Summit in 2027, addressing long-term global challenges and setting a course for the next agenda. The Panel will also come out with  an outcome white paper which incorporates future focused key insights from a year’s worth of discussions with young Africans and global leaders.