AfriYAN Ethiopia successfully concluded the 3rd National Hiber Forum, held from June 8 to June 13, 2026, under the theme: “Advancing Youth Led Solutions for SRHR, Employment, and Climate Resilience.”
The forum brought together young people, youth led organizations, volunteers, development partners, and key stakeholders through a series of innovative activities designed to promote leadership, learning, civic engagement, and collective action.
Unlike conventional conferences, the forum adopted a community centered approach that connected digital engagement, school based awareness sessions, health service learning, environmental action, sports, and cultural expression. This approach enabled participants to engage with youth development priorities in practical and meaningful ways.
Key Highlights
- Five day national youth forum
- Youth leadership and empowerment
- Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR)
- Employment and skills development
- Climate resilience and environmental action
- Community engagement and volunteerism
- Networking and partnership building
Day One: Hiber Webinar
The forum officially opened on June 8, 2026, with the Hiber Webinar themed: “Inspiring the Next Generation of Leaders.” The webinar created a platform for discussions on leadership, innovation, entrepreneurship, employment, and personal development.
Participants engaged with distinguished speakers and youth leaders, gaining valuable insights on creating impact and navigating opportunities in a rapidly changing world.
The session featured:
- Dr. Binyam Alemu, CEO of BlueHealth Ethiopia
- Biruk Chala (Brook News), content creator and social media personality
- Abdullatif Mohammed, CEO for Youth Empowerment at the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs
- Yabsira Yeshiwas, Secretary of AfriYAN Ethiopia and youth advocate
The diverse perspectives shared by the panelists enriched discussions on healthcare innovation, youth empowerment, leadership, and digital engagement.
Day Two: Youth Led SRHR Dialogue
On June 9, 2026, AfriYAN Ethiopia organized a youth dialogue session at Ula Dula Secondary School under the theme: “Her Health, Her Rights, Our Future.”
The session focused on:
- Menstrual Health Management
- Gender Based Violence
- Cervical Cancer Awareness
Through interactive discussions and peer learning, students gained important knowledge to support informed decisions regarding their health and wellbeing.
Day Three: Youth Friendly Service Learning Visit
On June 10, 2026, participants engaged in a learning exchange field visit to two Youth Friendly Service (YFS) Corners: a Model Site at Arabsa Health Center and a Routine Site at Chefe Health Center. The visit brought together youth representatives, peer educators, health professionals, and government stakeholders to assess the quality, accessibility, and youth responsiveness of health services provided to young people.
Arabsa Health Center (Model Site) demonstrated several promising practices, including:
• Dedicated youth only service hours
• Trained youth friendly service providers
• A private, welcoming, and supportive environment for young clients
Chefe Health Center (Routine Site) provided valuable insights into existing services while highlighting opportunities to strengthen youth engagement, visibility, and accessibility through improved outreach and service promotion.
The field visit enabled participants to compare different service delivery approaches and identify practical lessons for improving youth friendly healthcare across communities. Representatives from the Ministry of Health and the Sub City Health Bureau joined the visit and expressed their commitment to advocating for the expansion of the model approach to additional health facilities.
The activity reinforced the importance of accessible, inclusive, and responsive health services in advancing the health and wellbeing of young people.
Day Four: Eco Hiking and Community Action
Environmental sustainability took center stage on June 11, 2026, when participants gathered at Gulele Botanical Garden for an Eco Hiking and Community Cleaning Campaign.
The activity encouraged:
- Climate action
- Environmental stewardship
- Volunteerism
- Teamwork and collaboration
Participants actively contributed to environmental protection efforts while strengthening their understanding of sustainability and climate resilience.
Day Five: Football Match
On Friday, June 12th at Yeka Woreda 07 Youth Center with a thrilling matchup. The football tournament promoted teamwork, social cohesion, healthy competition, and youth interaction.
Closing Event and Celebration of Youth Leadership
The forum concluded on June 13, 2026, at Yeka Woreda 07 Youth Center with a vibrant closing event that celebrated the achievements, learning experiences, and contributions of participants throughout the week. The day began with a photo exhibition and public voting session, showcasing youth perspectives on climate change, community engagement, and social impact. Participants explored creative works produced during the forum while reflecting on key messages and experiences.
Throughout the program, speakers presented highlights from the forum’s major activities, including:
• Hiber Webinar on youth leadership and innovation
• School based SRHR awareness dialogue
• Youth Friendly Service Corner learning exchange visit
• Eco hiking and community cleaning campaign
These presentations provided an opportunity to reflect on lessons learned and the collective impact achieved during the forum.
Participants also took part in interactive activities and games that promoted networking, collaboration, and youth engagement. The session created a lively atmosphere while strengthening relationships among participants and partners.
A major highlight of the closing ceremony was the recognition of outstanding contributions through two competitions. The forum Also recognized the top three submissions from 48 entries exploring the role of youth in advancing women’s rights and gender equality. The top three submissions from 45 entries were awarded for creatively capturing perspectives on climate change and environmental responsibility.
The closing event concluded with remarks reaffirming the importance of youth leadership, collaboration, and meaningful participation in shaping sustainable solutions. Participants left with strengthened networks, new ideas, and renewed commitment to advancing positive change within their communities.
What Made This Forum Unique?
The 3rd National Hiber Forum moved beyond traditional conference settings by creating multiple spaces for engagement.
From virtual learning and school dialogues to health service visits, environmental action, sports, and cultural activities, the forum demonstrated how youth participation can be strengthened through inclusive and action oriented approaches.
This integrated model reinforced the importance of youth engagement across multiple sectors while creating meaningful opportunities for learning, collaboration, and impact.
Acknowledgements
AfriYAN Ethiopia extends sincere appreciation to all partners, volunteers, facilitators, youth leaders, institutions, and participants whose dedication contributed to the success of the forum.
Special recognition goes to:
- TaYA
- Rotaract partners
- Participating schools
- Health institutions
- Youth volunteers
- Community partners and supporters
Their commitment played a vital role in making the forum impactful and memorable.
Looking Ahead
The successful completion of the 3rd National Hiber Forum reaffirms AfriYAN Ethiopia’s commitment to meaningful youth participation, collaboration, and innovation.
As we move forward, we remain dedicated to creating platforms that empower young people to lead, advocate, innovate, and contribute to sustainable development across Ethiopia and beyond.
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