Welcome!
Dear Participants,
We are delighted to invite you to the "Voices from the Sahel: Conversations, Visions & Solutions" platform—an open consultation that brings together the United Nations and the people of the Sahel. This platform provides an opportunity to share diverse perspectives and ideas on how the UN can better support and empower communities throughout the Sahel region.
Led by the Office of the United Nations Special Coordinator for Development in the Sahel (OSCS), this initiative is part of our broader efforts under the United Nations Integrated Strategy for the Sahel (UNISS) and the United Nations Support Plan (UNSP). While the vital roles that women and youth play in peace and security are increasingly recognized, their specific needs and potential are often overlooked. By providing a forum where they can share their perspectives and experiences, we aim to leverage their unique strengths to build a more prosperous and resilient Sahel.
Building on the success of our first edition in 2021 , which focused on amplifying the voices of young people, this second edition places special emphasis on the unique experiences and challenges faced by young women in the Sahel. This edition is also a part of the #IAMSahel campaign led by UNDP, sharing the overarching goal of "Changing the Narrative of the Sahel" by highlighting the resilience, creativity, and potential of the region. Through these conversations, we aim to showcase inspiring stories, innovative practices, and the diverse cultures that embody the spirit of the Sahel.
Over the next four weeks, we will explore four thematic areas that are vital to the region's future. This platform offers a space for you to share your insights, experiences, and recommendations. Your contributions will be instrumental in shaping UN strategies and guiding future interventions to create a more prosperous and resilient Sahel.
Consultation period: 30 September - 18 October 2024
Thematic areas of discussion
We encourage you to participate actively in these discussions, lend your voice to the dialogue, and help us co-create solutions that reflect the true aspirations and needs of the Sahelian people.
Join the conversation, share your vision, and be part of the change!
Audience
These conversations are intended for young women and youth from the 10 UNISS countries (Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Guinea, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, The Gambia, and Senegal), as well as representatives from regional and sub-regional organizations, government officials from these Member States, professionals from non-profit and civil society organizations, members of academia, and other non-state actors working on youth and gender-related issues.
Impact
The OSCS will compile the outcomes of the consultations into a comprehensive report to be presented to the UNISS Leadership and Steering Committee, guiding future UNISS interventions in the Sahel and informing discussions at UNISS Steering Committee meetings, UN Country Team (UNCT) retreats, and other relevant forums. To ensure continued visibility and engagement, key messages from the consultations will be regularly fea
tured in UNISS newsletters, on the UNISS website, across social media channels, and in various UNISS publications. After the consultation concludes, a live webinar or event will be organized to invite participants to review the outcomes and discuss the next steps for future actions.
Access the first Voices from the Sahel consultation (11 Oct - 8 Nov 2021) and read its final report.
For more information
- Contact Jiyeon PARK ([email protected]), Madina Ba ([email protected]), Aicha Gamby ([email protected])
- Visit https://uniss-sahel.org/
- Follow us on X https://x.com/unis_sahel
- Consultation partners are the entire UN Offices, Agencies, Funds and Programmes operating in the Sahel
