AWB Youth Meeting

1. Background and Rationale In a context marked by profound political, demographic and cultural transformations, African identities are undergoing a major process of redefinition. Young people, particularly mobile and exposed to multiple influences, find themselves at the crossroads of several forms of belonging: national, linguistic, continental, diasporic and even digital. This generates new questions about what Africa is today, what it represents, and how it is experienced on a daily basis. Historical trajectories, colonisation and post-colonial dynamics, globalisation, migration and the rise of diasporic spaces have further complicated the question of African identity. The notion of Africas—in the plural—captures this diversity and acknowledges the coexistence of several African realities, sometimes complementary, sometimes contradictory, yet always interconnected. Faced with these transformations, it is necessary to create autonomous spaces for African youth to reflect freely, reshape their own identity markers, express their aspirations and renegotiate their relationship with the continent. The Youth Meeting is designed to fulfil this need by offering an open, horizontal and participatory debate platform. 2. Objectives of the Meeting The main objective of this meeting is to create a free, inclusive and intellectually stimulating space where young Africans can reflect collectively on Africanity, the diversity of African identities, and their role in shaping nations and the continent. Specific Objectives - Promote an egalitarian environment for exchange without the imposition of external academic discourse; - Encourage personal expression, critical thinking, and constructive confrontation of ideas; - Explore the plurality of African representations &mdas