The Young and Alive Summit 2026 is set to take place from October 11 to 14 at the New Library of the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) in Tanzania. The summit, themed "From Voices to Action: Taking Young People as Drivers for Accountability for Inclusive Health and Wellbeing," aims to provide a platform for young people to discuss their challenges and participate in finding solutions. Over 300 participants, including youth, government leaders, policymakers, health experts, civil society organizations, and development stakeholders, are expected to attend the event.
The summit was established in 2022 with the goal of bringing together young people, youth leaders, policymakers, government officials, non-governmental organizations, and development stakeholders. According to Cecilia Lubango, project coordinator, the summit aims to provide young people with a platform to learn, share experiences, discuss challenges, and participate in developing solutions that can bring about change in society. The summit will feature discussions and activities focused on reproductive health, youth leadership, gender equality, and mental health.
Some partners have already committed to providing services during the summit, including mental health screenings by psychologists and sickle cell disease screenings by the Ruge Mutabazi Foundation. Kelvin Melisi, a young representative attending the summit, said the platform connects young people from different parts of the country and aims to ensure they access accurate information on health, mental health, economy, and entrepreneurship. He noted that the summit is an important opportunity for young people to meet with government leaders, policymakers, experts, and service providers to access information and discuss challenges.
Melisi emphasized the importance of young people attending the summit in large numbers, saying it provides a platform to learn, network, and take action. "We need young people to come out in numbers because this is a meeting that gives us a platform to learn, connect, and take action," he said. Amboki Nyangala, a young person with a disability and a participant in the summit, said the platform is crucial as it provides a space for young people with disabilities to participate in discussions about their welfare.
Nyangala noted that young people with disabilities have the right to access education and reproductive health services like other young people, and it's essential to listen to their opinions and consider their needs in plans and services that affect them. The summit will provide a platform for young people from different regions to meet, share ideas and experiences, and discuss challenges collectively. Nyangala emphasized that the participation of all young people, including those with disabilities, will help build a platform that considers diverse needs and enables young people to participate in finding solutions to challenges.
The summit's discussions and activities will focus on addressing the challenges faced by young people, including access to healthcare, education, and economic opportunities. Participants will have the opportunity to engage with experts, policymakers, and service providers to find solutions to these challenges. The summit aims to empower young people to take action and become drivers of change in their communities.
The Young and Alive Summit 2026 is expected to be a significant event in Tanzania, bringing together young people and stakeholders to discuss and address the challenges faced by young people. The summit's outcomes are expected to contribute to the development of policies and programs that support the health, education, and economic empowerment of young people in Tanzania.
Key points
- The Young and Alive Summit 2026 aims to provide a platform for young people to discuss their challenges and participate in finding solutions.
