Igniting change with launch of regional youth’s think tank

Building on the momentum and inspiration from the recent BWI Global Youth Festival, the BWI Africa & Middle East (BWI AME) is thrilled to announce the establishment of the Regional Youth Think Tank (YTT). This innovative platform will serve as a catalyst for change, ensuring that the voices and visions of young people are clearly articulated and contribute to shaping the future of the region.

The Global Youth Festival showcased the extraordinary talent, creativity, and passion of young individuals worldwide. Recognising their immense potential, BWI AME is committed to empowering youth and creating opportunities for them to contribute meaningfully to society and the labour movement.

The YTT will bring together a diverse group of young leaders to collaborate on addressing the most pressing challenges facing Africa and the Middle East. By providing a space for open dialogue, idea exchange, and mentorship, the YTT will foster a culture of innovation and social impact. It will also offer an opportunity for the youth in the region to continue showcasing their talent, creativity, and passion.

“We believe that young people are the architects of tomorrow,” said Razan Qarakeh, a Youth Committee Member at the Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions (PGFTU). “By establishing this Youth Think Tank, the region is investing in young people’s leadership and proactively creating a platform for us to ensure that the youth voice is included in every aspect of the BWI’s work.”

Through the YTT, youth from the BWI AME region will focus on priority areas such as climate action, education, and social justice. Members will have the opportunity to participate in the BWI Organising Academy, campaign development projects, policy development, and advocacy initiatives over time. The YTT also provides a platform for young people with a strong commitment to community development and social change to propose key areas for the YTT to focus on.

Here’s what the YTT members have to say about the initiative:

"Attending the BWI Global Youth Festival ignited a fire within me. I’m thrilled to join the Regional YTT and seize the opportunity to transform that passion into a tangible impact,” said Natasha Dhobho, a Young Workers’ Organiser at the General Agriculture and Plantation Workers Union of Zimbabwe (GAPWUZ).

“The Global Youth Festival was an incredible experience that opened my eyes to the potential of youth-led change. I’m excited to join the YTT and collaborate with brilliant minds to create a better future for our region,” added Agumas Dangew Genie, a Regional Branch Head of the Ethiopian Industrial Federation of Construction, Wood, Metal, Cement, and Other Trades Union (EIFCWMCOTU).

“The energy and inspiration at the Global Youth Festival were contagious,” said Eva Atobrah Agyekum, an Administrative Assistant at the National Secretariat of the Timber and Wood Workers Union (TWU). “I can’t wait to channel that excitement into the YTT and work together to build a brighter Africa and Middle East.”