From 14 to 21 July 2025, Brazzaville hosted a historic meeting for our foundation, bringing together for the first time young people supported by our partners from different Central African countries around the same table. Eight young people, aged 16 to 18, from Cameroon and the Republic of Congo, gathered to represent the voices of children living on the streets and in vulnerable situations. Designed as a space for dialogue and co-creation among young people, this meeting followed national gatherings held a few months earlier in Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Republic of Congo. Each of these national meetings had appointed four delegates, but due to administrative obstacles, only three Cameroonian youths and five Congolese youths were able to meet in Brazzaville, accompanied by their educators.
Dive into the heart of the meeting and listen to the voices and ideas expressed by the young delegates.
From the very first days, the young people immersed themselves in the fundamentals of advocacy and children’s rights, trained by our two experts, Clélia Bringolf and Emanuela Abe. With the support of the educators, they guided the youths throughout the week, encouraging their active participation and skill development. Through participatory workshops, discussions, and public speaking exercises, the young people learned not only to defend their ideas but also to communicate their messages effectively.
Over the course of the week, the youths immediately put into practice what they had learned, gradually taking on the role of facilitators in the debates. They collaboratively chose a common topic and priorities to develop into advocacy messages. Beyond these practical skills, participants also had the opportunity to expand their knowledge of children’s rights, the workings of the United Nations system, and the African system for the protection of children’s rights, thereby enhancing their overall understanding and their ability to become true ambassadors for children’s rights.
"To defend children’s rights, you first need to have confidence in yourself. Then, you must know how to respect others. I also learned how to speak in public, not to stress, and to understand the importance of non-verbal and para-verbal communication, to use gestures, and to stand firmly on your feet without trembling." Henri Joel, 17, Cameroon
After sharing the results of the national gatherings, the eight young participants at the international meeting chose to focus their advocacy on the right to health for children living in vulnerable situations. They identified the challenges faced by children in street situations, those living in care centres, and incarcerated children, highlighting the impact of poor living conditions, limited access to clean drinking water, the need for free primary healthcare, and stigmatisation by some medical staff.
Beyond identifying these issues, they worked on concrete solutions:
Raising awareness in society and conducting advocacy with decision-makers
Sharing children’s testimonies
Training healthcare staff in the care of children
Penalising abuses to ensure dignified treatment and access to healthcare for all
To spread their messages, the young people created and performed a play, produced a collective mural, and co-wrote a speech, demonstrating their creativity, commitment, and determination to defend their own rights and those of their peers.
The week also included moments of discovery and leisure. The young participants visited several children’s care centres in Brazzaville, an experience that left a deep impression, and enjoyed more playful activities such as a visit to the zoo and a surprise day by the Congo River, along with a pirogue ride and a meal featuring local specialties.
By the end of the gathering, the young people left enriched and better equipped to defend the causes close to their hearts. They gained a full awareness of their ability to act and influence change, leaving even more determined to advocate for the respect and promotion of children’s rights within their communities and countries.
"What I want to do after the meeting is raise awareness among the people in my neighbourhood about children’s rights." Amina, 17, Congo
To explore further, read the article by Bertin, an 18-year-old Cameroonian and former child in street situations, who examines the causes and consequences of the absence of the right to health and proposes concrete solutions to promote the participation of all children in Africa.
