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Addis Forum 2025 to Convene Hundreds of Young Leaders for National Dialogue on Peace and Civic Engagement
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – November 20, 2025 — More than 250 young delegates from across Ethiopia are set to gather in Addis Ababa later this month for the Second Addis Forum, a national platform aimed at strengthening youth leadership in peacebuilding and civic engagement. The event, scheduled for November 28–30 at the Adwa Victory Memorial Museum, is being organized by the Ethiopian Youth Dialogue for Peace Association (EYDPA) in partnership with the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs.
Held under the theme “Youth Building a Legacy of Unity and Peaceful Coexistence through Meaningful Civic Engagement,” the forum will bring together participants aged 18 to 37 from all regions, including conflict-affected areas and pastoralist communities. Organizers say that at least half of the delegates will be young women, reflecting a commitment to equitable representation.
Broad Partnerships Behind the Forum
The 2025 edition is supported by a wide coalition of governmental, international, and civil society partners. The Addis Ababa City Administration Council, the City Manager’s Office, and the Youth and Sport Bureau are among the key government partners. International supporters include the Life & Peace Institute, UNICEF U-Report Ethiopia, the American Friends Service Committee, the All-African Conference of Churches, the Youth Network for Sustainable Development, Taya, Positive Action for Development, and the Bahá’í International Community.
Organizers say the diverse coalition underscores a shared commitment to strengthening youth engagement in Ethiopia’s peace and development efforts.
Core Focus Areas
This year’s forum is built around three objectives:
Enhancing youth leadership in peacebuilding and civic engagement, including practical training sessions and workshops.
Strengthening interregional dialogue, with a focus on fostering understanding and collaboration between youth from different backgrounds.
Developing youth-informed policy recommendations that aim to increase young people’s participation in national and local governance.
To advance these goals, discussions will be structured around three thematic tracks: Peacebuilding & Conflict Transformation, Civic & Political Engagement, and Youth-Led Development & Social Cohesion. These tracks will explore youth roles in conflict resolution, democratic participation, community development, and social cohesion.
Three Days of Dialogue, Culture, and Innovation
Over the course of the forum, delegates will participate in intergenerational dialogues with community elders and policymakers, policy labs to co-develop ideas, and practical sessions on grassroots peace initiatives. Cultural programs—including music, art, and performances—will be held in the evenings to highlight Ethiopia’s diversity and shared identity.
A symbolic tree-planting ceremony will also take place as part of the forum’s environmental and peacebuilding message. Innovation hubs will feature youth-led projects in technology, entrepreneurship, and creative industries.
The gathering will conclude with a formal youth declaration, intended to shape future national policies related to peacebuilding, governance, and youth inclusion.
Organizers Highlight Youth Ownership
Chala Assefa, Executive Director of EYDPA, said the forum seeks to position young Ethiopians as active contributors to national unity and peace. “By equipping young leaders from every region with the tools and platforms to make their voices heard, we are ensuring that youth are not just beneficiaries but drivers of our country’s peacebuilding and civic engagement efforts,” he said.
Minister of Women and Social Affairs Ergoge Tesfaye (PhD) described the forum as an example of meaningful youth inclusion. “Sustainable peace and development must include the voices and talents of our young people,” she noted, emphasizing that the government views youth as equal partners in shaping national policy.
Expected Outcomes and Long-Term Plans
Organizers expect Addis Forum 2025 to produce several concrete outputs, including at least three policy briefs developed by youth delegates on peacebuilding, civic engagement, and governance. These will be submitted to government offices and development partners as input for youth-responsive policymaking.
A National Youth Engagement Framework will also be launched to institutionalize youth participation in peace and governance processes. Additionally, a nationwide Addis Forum Alumni Network will be created to maintain links between participants and support ongoing collaboration.
In the months following the forum, EYDPA and partners plan to roll out regional dialogues, mentorship programs, and an online platform to help alumni exchange resources and track progress on commitments. Officials say these mechanisms are designed to ensure that the forum’s impact extends well beyond the three-day event.
Pre-Event Briefing
Ahead of the forum, a press conference will be held at the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs. Organizers and partners will outline program details and take questions from the media. The date of the briefing is expected to be announced shortly before November 21.
For additional information, organizers have directed inquiries to admin@eydpa.org.
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