AUNYD: Building a Youth Network for Global Impact

SUDIA's African United Nations Youth Delegates (AUNYD) program has, over the past three years, established itself as a significant platform for amplifying youth voices from East Africa on the international stage. Initiated in Sudan in 2021, in collaboration with CRISP Simulation, AUNYD has since expanded to include South Sudan, Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, and Tanzania, developing into a leading initiative that connects local youth realities with global policy frameworks.

The program has engaged over 2,400 young people through outreach and consultation efforts. Notably, 24 youth delegates and 240 Fellows have received comprehensive training and represented their countries at the UN General Assembly (UNGA) and other key international forums. This representation has facilitated the integration of youth-led mandates into global policy discussions, including contributions to the Pact for the Future at the UN Summit of the Future. Furthermore, AUNYD has fostered strong regional networks among young leaders and decision-makers, promoting cross-border collaboration. The program's impact has been recognised by various UN bodies, including the UN Youth Office and the ECOSOC Youth Forum.

AUNYD's structure comprises five key components: an annual youth recruitment process that provides foundational UN knowledge to all participants; capacity development workshops focused on advocacy and lobbying skills; public outreach and engagement initiatives supported by micro-grants; strategic engagement with national governments and UN entities; and the facilitation of youth participation in international forums. Through these components, AUNYD empowers young people to effectively translate local issues into global policy and localise international policies within their national contexts, thereby building a sustainable network of informed and engaged youth leaders across East Africa.