Conference Chairpersons
Botlhe Jane Kgosimore
Botlhe Jane Kgosimore is a radio presenter at Duma FM – Botswana’s leading private radio station. The bubbly radio personality hails from Moshupa village in the Southern District of Botswana. Botlhe began her radio career in March 2013, hosting a youth- oriented programme called ‘The Youth Rendezvous’ every Saturday from 12 – 2pm. Her show was driven by a mandate of addressing every day social ills faced by youth. This was achieved by engaging lived experiences. Further to this, the youth were given the platform to discuss educational challenges, lifestyle trends and projects to improve the lives of youth in Botswana.
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Dalitso Ndlovu
Dalitso Ndlovu is a Systems Analyst and a public speaker who provides insight to various institutions, companies and organizations on Youth Leadership and Social Corporate Responsibility. He believes that in order to empower communities, we must empower their leaders, and that young people are in a unique position to influence institutions mobilization of resources in ways that can uplift their societies. He was the “Evil” Quiz Master for the SAYWHAT QUIZ Challenge 2024, the host for the National Youth Conference 2024, and the best male speaker for the Speak and Solve Initiative (SASI) Debate Challenge 2023. He has spoken on masculinity and advocated for men’s mental health awareness with Boys to Men on Classic 263 Radio, and has been a part of various awareness initiatives with organizations such as Moonchild District, Bonzai Incorporeal, High Schools Debate Challenge (HiDC), IGNITE Youth Organization…
2Conference Coordinators
Trevor Oahile
Conference Coordinator (Botswana)
Trevor Oahile is an economist, entrepreneur and award-winning youth activist. Over the course of 8 years, Trevor has dedicated himself to volunteer work that has positively impacted the lives of countless young people in Africa, particularly in Botswana. [Read More]
Sylvester G Chiweza
Conference Coordinator (Malawi)
Sylvester G Chiweza is a dedicated SRHR advocate and the SARSYC Country Coordinator for Malawi. He has been actively involved in promoting access to modern Family Planning Services and raising awareness about their importance for the past seven years. [Read More]
Wankumbu Simukonda
Conference Coordinator (Zambia)
Wankumbu Simukonda is a certified SMART Advocacy Trainer of Trainers who advocates for sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and HIV self-care among adolescents and young people. He currently works as a Programmes Officer at Copper Rose Zambia, where he leads impactful initiatives in the Advocacy and Health Promotion Unit. [Read More]
5th edition Conference Programme
Theme: "Building Bridges, Navigating Emerging Issues: Advancing Equitable Access to Public Health and Education."
Arrival & Registration
Delegates to arrive and officially register for DAY 1 as well as to be given their respective conference materials.
Welcome Remarks
All conference delegates are welcomed to Botswana.
5 editions and counting! SARSYC: A catalyst for change.
The presentation which shall be delivered in the form of a documentary will demonstrate the impact of previous SARSYC conferences with the goal of encouraging open discourse in the 5th edition.
Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges: Navigating the Future of Public Health and Education
The presentation will unpack the theme of SARSYC V, Building Bridges Navigating Emerging Issues: Advancing Equitable Access to Public Health and Education. The presentation will further interrogate the importance of youth agency and leadership in developmental initiatives being covered by the conference.
Solidarity Messages
Institutions that have hosted previous SARSYC conferences will deliver solidarity messages in light of the editions that were done in their countries.
Overview of Day 1 track sessions
The presentation will highlight the themes of the track sessions and how they feed into the broader conference theme as well as the development of post-conference activities.
- 17 Jul DAY ONE – Reflection Action Meeting (RAM) I
- 17 Jul DAY ONE – Reflection Action Meeting (RAM) II
Introduction
Participants will be welcomed to the Reflection Action Meeting and will briefly introduce themselves
Opening remarks
The presentation shall outline the objectives of the Reflection Action Meeting connecting the dots from issues that came up from the 4th edition of SARSYC and how the outcomes of the meetings will be utilized.
Presentation: ICPD 30 in Focus: Tracking Progress in SADC Countries
The session will interrogate the commitments made by regional countries at the ICPD. Furthermore, there will be a cross examination of the progress made so far in relation to the rights of young people.
Panel Discussion: Moving beyond optics: State of youth involvement and gender dynamics in ICPDs.
The session will analyze the contributions made by students and young people in the pursuit of national and regional commitments. It will further interrogate gender dynamics in ICPDs with the goal of ensuring the meaningful inclusion of students and young people in their diversity and note areas that requires improvement.
Introduction
Participants will be welcomed to the Reflection Action Meeting and will briefly introduce themselves
Opening remarks
The presentation shall outline the objectives of the Reflection Action Meeting connecting the dots from issues that came up from the 4th edition of SARSYC and how the outcomes of the meetings will be utilized
Going beyond traditional responses: Exploring linkages between Climate Change and Public Health.
The presentation will explore interlinkages of climate change and health and the integration of climate change in health initiatives.
Mapping challenges for students and young people in Southern Africa.
The session will zero down on the challenges directly affecting students and young people in Southern African countries. The session will further interrogate the role of young people in climate action on campus, with the goal of moving climate change discourse from abstract to practical, exploring what has been done by stakeholders and what needs to be done by young people.
AI: Preparedness and significance to public health and education in SADC
The session will explore the potential and threat of AI to public health and education systems in Southern Africa and will interrogate obstacles to AI utilization. The session will further delve into the potential of African countries to leverage emerging technologies.
Overcoming Barriers to Inclusion: Ensuring Equality for Marginalized Communities (Persons with Disabilities and Rural Populations)
The session will explore the challenges faced by young people from marginalized communities and will discuss innovative strategies to guarantee digital rights for everyone.