THEME: Building Bridges: Advancing Equitable Access to Public Health and Education Navigating Emerging Issues

The 5^th Edition of the Southern Africa Regional Students and Youth Conference (SARSYC V) is scheduled to take place on 17-19 July 2024 in Gaborone, Botswana. This conference serves as a regional platform, bringing together students, young people, policymakers, program implementers, and civic groups. Building upon the foundation laid by the previous editions, SARSYC V 2024 acknowledges the significance of investing in young people’s sexual and reproductive health and rights within the broader development agenda. Its primary objective is to promote meaningful youth participation in addressing the impacts of climate change and other emerging, and foster synergy between the health and education sectors in addressing the needs of young people issues on the health, education, and overall well-being of young people in Southern Africa.

SARSYC is extending an invitation to Young Researchers/practitioners who have completed relevant studies in or about Africa on any of the sub-themes above and are interested in presenting at the conference should send their abstracts to sarsyc@saywhat.org.zw cc researchunit@saywhat.org.zw no later than 29 February 2024 (1600hrs Central African time). The abstracts will be presented during the Research Indaba at the conference.  The abstracts should align with the following thematic areas.

1. Climate Change and Public Health:

   • Abstracts exploring the impact of climate change on public health, including the identification of key challenges, vulnerable populations, and potential mitigation strategies.

2. Artificial Intelligence in Education:

   • Abstracts focusing on the integration and impact of artificial intelligence in educational settings with a particular focus on reach in its reach or lack of reach in rural areas, addressing advancements, challenges, and the potential for personalized learning.

3. Tuberculosis Among Young People: Prevention, Treatment, and Care:

   • Abstracts discussing innovative approaches to prevent, treat, and provide care for tuberculosis among young populations, emphasizing strategies for early detection and effective intervention.

4. Maternal Health:

   • Abstracts highlighting research on maternal health, covering topics such as maternal mortality reduction, access to quality healthcare, and the role of technology in improving maternal outcomes.

5. Emerging Epidemics and Cross-Cutting Issues:

   • Abstracts exploring the dynamics of emerging epidemics, their societal impacts, and the intersection with broader cross-cutting issues, including socioeconomic factors, governance, and global collaboration.

6. Intersection of Juvenile Justice and Child Welfare:

   • Abstracts addressing the interconnectedness of juvenile justice and child welfare systems, examining challenges, best practices, and potential policy implications to enhance outcomes for at-risk youth.

7. Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and Their Effects on Young People:

   • Abstracts investigating the prevalence, causes, and consequences of non-communicable diseases among young populations, with a focus on prevention strategies and the promotion of healthy lifestyles.

Abstracts should be written in English, presented in PDF format, and should not exceed 400 words. The document must be saved as follows: Name of Author(s) -Theme e.g ( John Doe and Jane Doe- Climate change)

Option I: Research-related abstracts

Title: The abstract should have a title, author(s), and institutional affiliation(s). Where a team is involved, indicate the leader and corresponding author (if different from the team leader) and attach the corresponding author’s updated curriculum vitae.

Background: Indicate the purpose and objective of the research, the hypothesis that was tested, or a description of the problem being analysed or evaluated.

Methodology: Describe the study period, setting and location, study design, study population, data collection, and analysis methods.

Results: Present findings and/or outcomes of the study clearly and in as much detail as possible. Disaggregate data by age and gender where possible and summarise specific results.

Conclusions: Explain the significance of your study’s findings and/or outcomes for particular theme outcomes and future implications of the results.

Option 2: Program-related abstracts

Title: The abstract should have a title, author(s), and institutional affiliation(s). Where a team is involved, indicate the leader and corresponding author (if different from the team leader) and attach the corresponding author’s updated curriculum vitae.

Background: Summarize the purpose, scope, and objectives of the program, project, or policy.

Description: Describe the program, project, or policy period, setting and location, the structure, key population (if applicable), and interventions undertaken supporting the program, project, or policy.

Lessons learned: Present the findings and/or outcomes of the program, project, or policy as clearly and in as much detail as possible. Include an analysis or evaluation of lessons learned and best practices. Summarise any specific results that support your lessons learned and best practices.

Conclusions/next steps: Explain the significance of the findings and/or outcomes of the program, project, or policy for service delivery and the future implications of the results.

Limited funding is available to support travel, accommodation, and meals for selected presenters based in Southern Africa. Presenters who are outside Southern Africa are encouraged to seek resources to cover their travel, accommodation, meals, and other expenses.

Submission Deadlines

Call for abstracts opens: 19 December 2023

Deadline for submission of abstracts: 15 March 2024

Notice of accepted abstracts: 19 March  2024

Conference dates: 17-19 July 2024

Please note only successful applicants will be contacted.

Please send your abstracts in PDF format – to sarsyc@saywhat.org.zw cc researchunit@saywhat.org.zw