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By Priscilla Morley, SDSN South Africa Network Manager, and Thandekile Makate, SDSN Youth South Africa Volunteer
On April 9, 2025, the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) South Africa officially launched its Youth Network, marking a pivotal moment for youth-led sustainable development in the region. Held at the University of Pretoria’s Future Africa campus, the event brought together visionary leaders, academics, and young changemakers to catalyse action toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
Professor Francis Petersen, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Pretoria and Chair of SDSN South Africa (SDSN SA), presented the keynote address, emphasizing the critical role of youth in driving sustainable development. "Young people are not passive beneficiaries of development — they are its agents,” he said. “SDSN Youth South Africa is a platform to equip, empower, and amplify their voices in shaping a just and sustainable future."
He highlighted the urgency of youth inclusion in policy and innovation, the University of Pretoria’s commitment to fostering SDG-aligned research and entrepreneurship, and the need for intergenerational collaboration to tackle climate change, inequality, and unemployment.
Professor Jeffrey Sachs, President of the SDSN, addressed the global challenges arising from unpredictable leadership. Despite these obstacles, he expressed optimism, pointing to promising innovations in emerging economies. He emphasized the vital role of young people and higher education in advancing technological solutions. Professor Sachs also highlighted Africa’s growing unity, youthful population, and investments in infrastructure, framing these as a major global opportunity. He reaffirmed the SDSN’s commitment to supporting Africa’s development, inviting collaboration through the global network and applauding the region’s leadership.
The event featured other inspiring voices across various sectors, including:
A standout moment was the unveiling of the SDSN Youth SA Innovation Challenge, a six-month incubator designed to support youth-led solutions. The initiative aims to develop scalable projects aligned with the SDGs and the African Union’s Agenda 2063. The challenge is open to secondary school learners in grades 10 to 12 who are affiliated with partner organizations such as Columba Leadership, the National Education Collaboration Trust (NECT), and the MiDesk Global Foundation, as well as undergraduate and postgraduate teams from SDSN member universities. Participants must reside in South Africa, be between the ages of 16 and 35, and form teams of three to five members. The top three teams in each category will receive funding and mentorship to help bring their ideas to life.
"This isn’t just a competition — it’s a movement where creativity meets impact," declared Priscilla Morley, Network Manager for SDSN SA.
Raquel Armendariz Sucunza, Global Coordinator of SDSN Youth, emphasized the critical role of youth in shaping a sustainable future. Citing South Africa’s 21 million young people as powerful advocates for sustainable development, she underscored the importance of inclusive, equitable, and accessible policies and programs. Raquel outlined the SDSN Youth’s mission to empower young people by training, connecting, and equipping them to become change-makers and disruptors.
Armendariz Sucunza concluded with a call for persistence, courage, and dedication to sustainability, celebrating the milestone and urging continued support to help youth become the leaders the world needs. The future of sustainability is young, bold, and collaborative — and SDSN Youth South Africa is just getting started.