From 25–28 August 2026, ACCORD, through the Training for Peace (TfP) Programme, supported the African Union (AU) Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS), through the AGA-APSA Secretariat, in convening the Continental Youth Capacity-Building Programme on AU Shared Values Instruments at the AU Commission Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The four-day programme brought together young leaders from across the continent to strengthen their understanding of democratic governance, human rights, peace and security, civic participation and responsible leadership.
Representing the Commissioner for PAPS, Amb. Bankole Adeoye, Amb. Salah Hammad, Head of the AGA-APSA Secretariat, delivered welcoming remarks and reaffirmed the AU’s commitment to strengthening meaningful engagement between the Union and its citizens. He stated that AU Shared Values instruments are legal and diplomatic frameworks with a direct impact on the everyday lives of African citizens, addressing issues ranging from civic participation to the peaceful management of political differences through dialogue rather than violence. Representatives of the Government of Ethiopia and members of the diplomatic community in Addis Ababa also delivered welcoming remarks, underscoring the importance of advancing youth leadership and strengthening networks, partnerships, and the implementation of the AU’s shared values agenda across the continent.
The programme was centred on the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG) and the broader body of AU Shared Values instruments relating to constitutionalism, human and peoples’ rights, the rule of law and citizen participation. Discussions highlighted the importance of these frameworks in advancing accountable governance, protecting fundamental rights, and fostering inclusive political processes within AU Member States. The programme further emphasised the need to strengthen youth participation in decision-making processes, enhance civic engagement, democratic governance, peace, and development and create meaningful opportunities for young people to contribute to the implementation of AU Shared Values.
ACCORD’s contribution to the programme builds on its role in developing the AGA-APSA Pan-African Youth Leadership Manual, which served as the manual for the training. This engagement aligns with ACCORD’s strategy to strengthen the role of youth in preventing, mitigating, and resolving complex conflicts, and its continued support for the AU Continental Framework on Youth, Peace and Security (AUCFYPS) and United Nations Security Council Resolution 2250 on Youth, Peace and Security.
