Social Media Influencer Engagement Initiative launched at the 4th Continental Dialogue in Bujumbura, Burundi

The purpose of the social media influencers engagement is to leverage the power of digital platforms to amplify youth voices, enhance regional visibility, and promote positive narratives on peace, leadership, and inclusion across the African continent. It aims to create a community of digital advocates who contribute to shaping constructive online discourse and inspire tangible action towards a peaceful and united Africa.

The main objective of the session focused on engaging selected youth influencers across Africa to:

• Amplify key messages around the Youth, Peace, and Security (YPS) Agenda.

• Promote meaningful youth participation in peace building and decision-making.

• Strengthen regional visibility of the AU Youth4Peace Africa Program and its partners.

• Encourage online dialogue that inspires action towards sustainable peace and unity.

Accordingly, ten social media influencers representing the five regions of the continent and the host of the Continental Dialogue took part in this initiative creating and engaging digital content (posts, stories, reels, tweets, etc.) aligned with event themes and AU branding. Apart from engaging on the various social media  platforms, the content  creators participated in the panel themed Youth Leadership n Governance and the Role of the Gen-Z in Sustainable Development and Peace in Africa where among others The discussions on media and social networks underscored the importance of responsible and constructive digital engagement to strengthen governance, peace, and security, while empowering young people to tell their own stories in a nonviolent and inclusive manner. Due recognition was also given to the associated risks including misinformation, disinformation and algorithmic bias. The positive use of social media is essential for the promoting accountability, transparency and democratic participation across the continent.

The initiative received a warm welcome from the Office of the President of the Republic of Burundi and the Permanent Representative of Burundi to the AU. This initiative has attracted various stakeholders as powerful tool to bridge the gap between the African Union and the Citizens it serves among others. Both offices have expressed their willingness to support the initiative and also the need to work together to grow the initiative to become an annual event where social media influencers champion of youth peace and security gets renowned and recognized and awarded in the annual Continental Dialogue as well as has expressed requested the office to support Artificial Intelligence and Youth Peace and Security.