Call for Abstracts: Youth and Water Security in Africa

Youth are major beneficiaries and partners for the implementation  and monitoring of the  2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. SDG 6 ‘ensure access to water and sanitation for all’ is a strategic goal, especially for the African continent because of its connection to other goals and the dependency of many industries on water. Therefore, Water Security and youth engagement are fundamental for the achievement of the SDGs and the Africa we want.

‘Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want’, is a blueprint for transforming Africa’s future. It also identifies programmes that will contribute to economic growth and development of the continent. Water Security is one of Priority Areas for the First Ten Years of Agenda 2063 and youth is a part of its aspiration for, ‘An Africa Whose Development is people driven, relying on the potential offered by African People Engaged’. Youth engagement and water security are important features of the SDGs and agenda 2063.

UNESCO is devoted to engaging with youth as leaders, knowledge-holders and innovators in the Water Sector. One of the main ways of engaging with youth and young water professionals in the water sector is by encouraging them to become more involved in Research, Development and Innovation, that address Water Security issues. Within the context of Africa Water Week, UNESCO is in touch with several international journals about publishing the printed and online version of a special issue that will focus on the importance of Water Security and youth engagement in Africa. 

The main objectives of this activity includes to; improve the visibility of the scientific contribution of youth that address water related challenges in Africa, contribute to the advance of and address knowledge gaps on water security issues in Africa with a focus on the experience of youth and young professionals and to inspire youth to become more involved in the co-production and application of knowledge.

The deadline to submit extended abstracts is July 30, 2020.

For more information and for information on submission, please visit the UNESCO website here: https://en.unesco.org/news/call-proposals