Following the Regional Youth Forum on Peace and Security held in October 2024 in the DRC, the African Union Political Affairs, Peace and Security (AU PAPS) convened a CSO Regional Dialogue on the Revitalization of the Peace and Security Cooperation Framework for the DRC and the Great Lakes Region on December 4–5, 2024, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The Peace and Security Cooperation Framework (PSCF), originally signed in 2013, serves as a comprehensive roadmap for peace, stability, and regional cooperation in the Great Lakes Region. However, persistent insecurity, armed conflicts, and humanitarian crises have hindered its full implementation. The revitalization process aims to strengthen regional cooperation, address emerging security threats, and enhance the inclusion of diverse stakeholders, including youth and civil society, in peacebuilding efforts.

As a direct outcome of the Regional Youth Forum, youth delegates and civil society partners from the DRC, Burundi, and South Sudan were invited by AU PAPS to contribute to the dialogue. Their participation ensured that key recommendations from the Youth Forum—particularly on youth inclusion in peacebuilding, conflict prevention, and governance—were presented at a higher policy level.

The dialogue provided an opportunity for young leaders to advocate for more inclusive peace processes and influence regional policy discussions. As a key outcome, a final communiqué capturing the priorities and aspirations of youth and civil society actors was shared with state and non-state actors reinforcing the need for a more participatory approach to peace and security in the region.

The Peace Centre remains committed to amplifying youth voices in peacebuilding, ensuring that their contributions continue to shape policies and strategies for sustainable peace in the Great Lakes Region.