On November 12–14, 2025, the halls of the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa will echo with the voices of young Africans, as the 5th Extraordinary Summit of the Youth Model African Union (YMAU) convenes. The announcement, made at a press conference held in Nigeria to commemorate International Youth Day 2025, set the stage for what promises to be a historic gathering.
Africa is the world’s youngest continent, with over 70% of its people under the age of 35. Yet, too often, policies, economies, and peace processes overlook this majority.
The YMAU Summit seeks to change that by creating a continental platform where young people don’t just discuss leadership—they practice it. In the grand chambers of the AU, youth delegates will step into the roles of Heads of State, ministers, and diplomats, simulating the AU’s highest decision-making bodies and debating Africa’s most pressing challenges.
This year’s theme, “Building a United Front for Justice for African Youth and People of African Descent through Reparations,” reflects the heartbeat of a generation demanding fairness, dignity, and equal opportunity. From bustling cities to remote villages, from the continent to the diaspora, young voices are rising—calling for justice, not as charity, but as a right.
The summit is more than an event; it is a leadership laboratory. Delegates will undergo pre-summit training in diplomacy, policy engagement, and position paper drafting.
They will take part in AU-style simulations of the Assembly, the Peace and Security Council, ECOSOCC, and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights. The outcomes—youth-driven policy resolutions—will form a continental blueprint that will be shared with AU policymakers and member states.
Beyond debates and negotiations, the summit promises cultural exchanges, an Addis Ababa city tour, and the recognition of exceptional young leaders. High-level keynote addresses from the AU, UNDP, the Government of Ethiopia, and other partners will enrich the experience, bridging the gap between policy and practice.
At the heart of the discussions lies a sub-theme: “The Role of Youth in Localizing AU Agenda 2063, SDGs, and the 1 Million Next Level Initiative.” This means taking global and continental frameworks out of conference rooms and into communities—where a farmer in Niger, a student in Lagos, or a tech innovator in Nairobi can feel their impact.
“We are not just beneficiaries of these agendas,” the organizers stressed. “We are the drivers, the implementers, and the watchdogs.”
The Centre for Peace Advocacy and Sustainable Development (CEPASD), in collaboration with the African Union, UNDP Regional Service Centre Addis Ababa, Bahai International Community, Model AU–Ethiopia, FES Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Youth Dialogue for Peace Association, and other partners, is leading the organization of this landmark summit.
As the countdown begins, the call goes out:
To governments—open more doors for youth inclusion.
To development partners—invest in young people, not just in projects.
To the media—carry this story across Africa.
To young people everywhere—step up, engage, and take ownership of Africa’s future.
On International Youth Day, the message was clear: Africa’s young people are not leaders of tomorrow—they are leaders of today.
The Addis Ababa summit will be their proving ground, their rallying cry, and their chance to shape the continent’s destiny.
The future of Africa is not tomorrow. It is now—and it belongs to its youth.