Morocco’s Human Rights Chief deems youth leadership key to nurturing future decision-makers

Sustained investment in youth leadership is essential to fostering a new generation of committed decision-makers capable of building on existing achievements and advancing sustainable development, President of the National Human Rights Council (CNDH) Amina Bouayach said on Friday in Rabat.

Speaking at a seminar on “From Generational Renewal to Influential Leadership: Investing in Youth for Sustainable Peace,” Bouayach stressed the need to provide young people with spaces for dialogue and expression, as well as institutions and dedicated policies that respond to their aspirations.

She underscored that human rights form the foundation for dialogue, participation, equity, justice and equality, enabling young people who are underrepresented in decision-making spaces to make their voices heard and exert meaningful influence.

For her part, President of the Connecting Group International Foundation and FemWise-Morocco focal point, Nouzha Bouchareb, spoke of promoting youth participation in public life and decision-making processes, while fostering a new generation of women leaders capable of contributing to conflict prevention, mediation and sustainable peacebuilding.

She also emphasized South-South cooperation initiatives aimed at supporting African women and strengthening young people’s capacities to promote peace and security across the continent.

Speaking via videoconference, FemWise-Africa Co-Chair Effie Luhombo Owuor lauded Moroccan women’s leadership, citing the historic appointment of a woman as Head of Government. She called for further strengthening African women’s role in decision-making.

Meanwhile, Head of the UN Women Office in Morocco, Myriem Ouchen Noussairi, stressed the importance of passing on the achievements of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda (WPS) to younger generations, highlighting the role of institutions, international organizations and civil society in fostering intergenerational dialogue and cooperation.

Organized by the ConnectingGroup International Foundation’s Women Leaders Network, in partnership with the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, the seminar brought together policymakers, diplomats, experts on the WPS Agenda, representatives of regional and international organizations, and young women active in civil society.