ISSUP successfully convened the first Africa Youth Regional Call on 18 March 2026, bringing together youth representatives from National Chapters across the region to strengthen collaboration and advance youth engagement in substance use prevention.
The virtual meeting provided a platform for participants to connect, share experiences, and explore opportunities for youth-led initiatives within their respective countries. Discussions highlighted the growing role of young professionals in supporting prevention efforts and contributing to ISSUP activities at both national and regional levels.
Participants exchanged ideas on priority areas for 2026, including youth-led awareness campaigns, engagement with universities, and peer-driven prevention initiatives. The session also emphasised the importance of strengthening regional coordination and fostering collaboration across National Chapters.
Mulka Nisic, ISSUP Youth and Faith Project Coordinator, encouraged participants to actively engage with the ISSUP student-focused Focus Newsletter, including contributing content and sharing ideas to enhance its relevance for young professionals. Plans were also discussed to organise tailored webinars addressing key issues affecting youth in Africa.
In addition, Previta Karthigesu shared guidance on effective social media engagement, highlighting strategies to improve communication and visibility of youth-led activities across the region.
A key outcome of the meeting was the agreement to establish a more structured and coordinated approach to youth engagement. Future regional meetings will be hosted on a rotational basis by National Chapters, with ISSUP Kenya Youth Team set to coordinate the next quarterly session.