YADA Network

Young African Defenders in Action (YADA) is a leading pan-Africanist youth network dedicated to promote and protect human rights and encourage youth groups to avoid violence. Young activists have been proving their role in making changes in Africa but they are still left behind in decision-making at all levels. Their non-violence initiatives need to be encouraged to avoid violent actions.

Objectives

Our main objective is to connect and support young defenders including journalists, bloggers, artists and activists in Africa.

YADA aims therefore to :

Build the capacity of young human rights defenders and their groups across Africa;

Connect young defenders and promote exchange amongst young activists and youth leaders working on similar initiatives;

Raise awareness on the role of youth in building peace and promoting human rights in Africa;

Provide lobby and advocacy efforts for the youth initiatives in promoting human rights, conflicts prevention and peacebuilding.

Promote interactions between young defenders and avoid fake news among youths;

Encourage governments and other stakeholders to involve youth in their programmes and activities

Provide young defenders with digital tools they need to continue their human rights work

Activities

Young defenders are change makers. They need to be empowered to be able to work independently in their efforts for human rights, peace and sustainable development in Africa. To support them, AHRN provides:

Training Programs

Digital Security and IT Training

Drafting and implementing human rights projects

Language Trainings

Learn English

Learn French

Learn Swahili

Events and Workshops

YADA annual workshops: The YADA annual workshop brings together HRDs representing different countries to share experiences, best practices, and provide a network to similar motivated youth from across the continent.

Networking Meeting: quarterly networking for youth groups and individual working on similar initiatives;

Human rights Key days: We commemorate together the international human rights days.

Online discussions: debates on human rights issues and key days. AHRN will also engage with young HRDs across the continent with online discussions on key days, such International Women’s Day, African Child Day, and Human Rights Defenders Day. Apply to join our events

Other activities

Human Rights Breakfast (at national level): Public events and debates organised to commemorate international human rights days. The events may take take place at universities to involve students and professors in the debates. At the event, may be invited local authorities, foreign representatives (Embassies) and INGOs operating in the field of country

Radio programmes (YADA online radio, local radio and TV when possible): to reach a bigger number of people and provide them with a good understanding on the role of youth initiatives in serving their communities. Discussions and debates involving youth leaders and other stakeholders will be broadcasted live on radio (and TV) where other interested people will be able to ask questions on human rights issues.

YADA recommendations drafted and submitted to national governments, regional organisations and other stakeholders to support the participation of youths in decision-makings.