18/12/2025
World Migrants Day 2025 | Claiming Space for Youth Leadership
Today, as we marked World Migrants Day, Alego Young Entrepreneurs CBO participated in a rich and timely webinar spotlighting “Claim That Space: A Youth Leadership Guide on Migration, Environment and Climate Change (MECC) in Africa.” authored by Kabusinge of IOM - UN Migration
The session highlighted core messages from the guide, which centres African youth as leaders in MECC action, not just participants.
Key messages from the MECC Youth Leadership Guide include:
1. Migration, environment, and climate change are deeply interconnected and must be addressed together.
2. Young people are already experiencing MECC impacts and therefore have legitimate knowledge, agency, and leadership roles.
3.Youth engagement should be meaningful, ethical, and non-tokenistic, grounded in lived experiences and community realities.
4.The guide encourages youth to “claim spaces” at local, national, and regional levels to influence dialogue, programmes, and policies.
5.Effective youth leadership in MECC requires skills in advocacy, research, storytelling, partnership-building, and accountability.
6.Community-centred approaches and collaboration are essential for sustainable and inclusive MECC solutions.
These messages strongly resonate with our work at Alego Young Entrepreneurs CBO, as we continue to empower young people to engage constructively in climate resilience, livelihoods, and community-led development.
The guide is a call to action for youth to step forward with confidence, knowledge, and responsibility — and to claim their space in shaping MECC responses across Africa.
