Irène Fouyaba Pambiang, a young Chadian woman, has been selected to represent the Francophone youth at the 20th Francophonie Summit, scheduled to take place on November 14-15, 2026, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. She will present recommendations from a consultation of about thirty Francophone youths in Lomé, Togo, alongside Élisée Ditcharé from Benin. This is a significant milestone in Fouyaba's commitment to youth empowerment. As president of the organization Women Success, she has been actively engaged in promoting the interests of young people.
The consultation, organized by the International Network of Francophone Youth (RIJF) with the support of the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF), brought together young people from various countries and territories in the Francophone space. The discussions focused on the link between employment, opportunities for young people, and societal stability. The participants emphasized the need for greater involvement of young people in the development of public policies that affect them. More than half of the participants were young women, highlighting the importance of gender representation in these discussions.
The recommendations adopted during the consultation constitute the RIJF's contribution to the 20th Francophonie Summit. Fouyaba and Ditcharé have been tasked with presenting these recommendations directly to the Francophonie decision-makers in Phnom Penh. For Fouyaba, this selection builds on her previous experiences in youth engagement and social inclusion. She is the founder of the SHE CYCLE project, an initiative dedicated to providing adolescent girls and young women with reliable information on menstrual health, sexual and reproductive education, and women's well-being.
Fouyaba's selection as a representative of Francophone youth follows her participation in the first edition of #CAPInnovation, a program launched by the OIF. Her new role will involve taking the recommendations formulated in Lomé to an international scale. This responsibility places a voice from Chad at the heart of discussions on the role and future of youth in the Francophone space. The 20th Francophonie Summit will bring together leaders and representatives from Francophone countries to discuss pressing issues affecting the community.
The RIJF's consultation in Lomé was a significant event that highlighted the importance of youth engagement in policy-making processes. The participants' recommendations emphasized the need for greater investment in education, employment, and healthcare for young people. Fouyaba's selection as a representative of Francophone youth is a testament to her dedication to promoting the interests of young people in Chad and beyond.
As the president of Women Success, Fouyaba has been actively engaged in promoting women's empowerment and social inclusion in Chad. Her selection as a representative of Francophone youth is an opportunity for her to amplify her message and promote the interests of young people at the international level. The 20th Francophonie Summit will provide a platform for Fouyaba to engage with leaders and representatives from Francophone countries and promote the recommendations formulated in Lomé.
The 20th Francophonie Summit will take place in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on November 14-15, 2026. The summit will bring together leaders and representatives from Francophone countries to discuss pressing issues affecting the community. Fouyaba's participation in the summit is a significant milestone in her journey as a youth leader and representative of Francophone youth.
Key points
- Irène Fouyaba Pambiang, a young Chadian woman, has been selected to represent Francophone youth at the 20th Francophonie Summit in Cambodia.
- The recommendations formulated during the consultation in Lomé will be presented to the Francophonie decision-makers in Phnom Penh by Fouyaba and Élisée Ditcharé.
- Fouyaba's selection as a representative of Francophone youth builds on her previous experiences in youth engagement and social inclusion, including her work on the SHE CYCLE project.
