December 11, 2024 (Entebbe, Uganda): The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) through its Land Governance Unit, in collaboration with the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development of the Republic of Uganda have today concluded their meeting with the IGAD Land Governance Youth Steering Committee members.
The 3-day meeting was to strengthen knowledge management capacity on land programing and enhance the engagement of youth in land governance issues at local, national, and regional levels in line with IGAD’s commitment to inclusivity, participatory governance and the empowerment of young people in land and resource management in the region.
With guidance from the IGAD Communication Unit team and the Sub-committee on Communication of the Steering Committee, regional participants successfully established a comprehensive database of youth-led organizations and youth organizations focused on land governance in the IGAD region. This database will be hosted and managed on IGAD’s communication platforms. It will serve as a key tool for sharing updates on the digital media campaign with all target audiences over a period of three months.
As part of the meeting deliverables, using Hackathon approach, the team with support from the IGAD Secretariat Communication team, developed a content calendar for the upcoming Youth Conference in August. The calendar outlines key details, including target audiences, communication channels/platforms, content types (such as banners and text), and key messages. This strategic calendar will help streamline and coordinate communication efforts for the event.
Through the knowledge management system IGAD and youth will be able to;
- Increase awareness of youth-led solutions and advocacy on land governance through targeted country specific digital media engagement and audiences
- Facilitate cross-regional learning and networking among youth working on land-related issues.
- Provide a centralized platform for policies, research, and resources that can support youth in informed decision-making and advocacy; promote the work of youth-led organisations and enhance their access to resources and partnerships by raising awareness and promoting youth engagement in land issues.
- Creation of an online repository of policies, laws, frameworks and knowledge products related to youth and land programing.
During the closing session in Entebbe, Uganda, Mr. Mubarak Mabuya, IGAD’s Chief of Staff, speaking on behalf of the Executive Secretary, emphasized that meetings like this are part of a collective journey toward an inclusive and informed future. He highlighted key milestones, such as the creation of a comprehensive database of youth-led organizations and the design of a robust digital media campaign strategy. These initiatives, he noted, will amplify the voices of youth and position them as key drivers of sustainable land governance.
“Land is more than just an asset; it is the foundation of economic opportunity, cultural identity, and environmental resilience. By empowering youth through knowledge management and digital platforms, we are nurturing a generation of leaders who will transform challenges into opportunities, turning potential into progress,” Mr. Mabuya remarked.
He concluded by stressing the importance of collaboration across borders, disciplines, and generations. “As IGAD, we will ensure that youth remain at the forefront of land governance initiatives, shaping a future that is equitable, sustainable, and prosperous for all,” he said.
On behalf of the Government of Uganda, Ms. Naome Kabanda, Director of Land Management at the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, officiated the closing of the event. Ms. Kabanda urged the youth to continue building a strong foundation for the future of youth engagement in land governance across the IGAD region.
She also commended their commitment, dedication, insights, and collaborative spirit in empowering young people. She encouraged them to leverage these qualities to keep innovating, advocating, leading, and driving sustainable development.
“Together, we can create a region where youth are not only heard but are empowered as leaders and key stakeholders in land governance. The responsibility now lies with all of us to ensure that the outcomes of this meeting are not confined to reports or plans but are translated into impactful actions,” Ms. Naome Kabanda concluded.
These initiatives will engage a wide range of stakeholders and partners, including, but not limited to, the following:
- The IGAD Youth Steering Committee, responsible for designing and implementing the digital media campaign, as well as leading the campaign strategy and database creation.
- Ministries of Land in the Member States, which will provide input and collaborate on mapping youth-led organizations.
