The 6th Southern African Regional Students and Youth Conference
SARSYC VI
Align for Action: Sustaining Progress in Youth Health and Education
#DrivingRegionalSolidarity
SARSYC VI brought together hundreds of young leaders, researchers, policymakers, and changemakers from across Southern Africa for three unforgettable days of learning, connection, and action. From powerful youth-led research and inspiring conversations to regional partnerships and bold commitments, the conference amplified youth voices and sparked solutions for the challenges facing young people today. The adoption of the Windhoek Declaration marked a collective commitment to turning ideas into action and creating lasting impact across the region. One region. Bold Ideas. Stronger partnerships. Youth-led action. The conference may be over, but the conversations and movement continue.
What is SARSYC?
The Southern African Regional Students and Youth Conference (SARSYC) is the premier regional platform for transnational advocacy on youth health and education.
Connect
Network with 500+ young leaders, researchers, policymakers, development partners, and the private sector from across Southern Africa.
Learn
Engage with cutting-edge research, best practices, and innovative solutions in youth health and education.
Act
Develop actionable strategies and commitments to drive real change in youth health and education outcomes.
Conference Tracks
SARSYC VI features five thematic tracks addressing critical issues in youth development.
Education Rights and Equity
Financing and innovation for equitable digital learning in rural communities, evaluating the effectiveness of climate resilience in education systems, Gender Equality & Social Inclusion (GESI) through responsive education budgeting, and CSE as a driver for quality education and retention.
HIV/AIDS, STIs, and Sexual Health
Sustaining gains in HIV/AIDS and STIs prevention and treatment, addressing resurgence among People Who Use and Inject Drugs, expanding harm reduction programs, and domestic health financing and resource mobilization.
Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) Prevention and Health Lifestyles
Community-led NCD prevention and integration into primary health care, promoting healthy behaviors, nutrition, exercise, and reducing harmful habits, digital health tools for lifestyle change and risk monitoring, and innovations for early detection and screening in low-resource settings.
Digital Health and Safety
Digital violence/ online harassment: gendered vulnerabilities and responses, social media algorithms and adolescent mental health and behavior, online gambling and betting addiction, emerging trends and policy responses, and leveraging technology for health, education and service delivery.
Mental Health and Substance Abuse
Rising mental health challenges among boys and young men, suicide prevention strategies and psychosocial support, substance abuse trends and government responses, progress and gaps, and community-driven interventions for mental health and addiction recovery.
Featured Speakers
A big thanks to the distinguished speakers who shared their expertise at SARSYC VI.
H.E Ms Boemo M. SEKGOMA
Secretary General of the SADC Parliamentary Forum
SADC
Hon. Dino Balloti
Deputy Minister
Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth Sports, Arts and Culture (MEIYSAC)
Hon. Dr. D. P. Parirenyatwa
Medical Doctor, Senator in the Parliament of Zimbabwe.
Executive Director of Chest Medical, Vice President of the 6th SAA Executive Board, Senator in the Parliament of Zimbabwe.