“Building Bridges Navigating Emerging Issues: Advancing Equitable Access to Public Health and Education.” 

Introduction

The Southern African Regional Students and Youth Conference is a regional platform which addresses the sexual and reproductive health challenges of students and young people. The SARSYC Conference was conceptualized in 2015 after the conveners noted that there was a need to amplify the collective voice of students and young people in the SADC region. The SARSYC has made significant contributions in the region through shaping, reflecting and influencing regional frameworks on SRHR and has been expanding its scope to look at other issues that are affecting young people and students such as inclusive and equitable education, their general well-being to include issues of mental health, other non-communicable diseases and issues of Sexual Gender Based Violence.

The Southern African Regional Students and Youth Conference (SARSYC) invites students, young people, organizations, and partners willing to host side events during the SARSYC 5^th edition. The side events will be conducted during the Conference on the 2^nd day of the (18^th July 2024). This offers a unique opportunity for organizations to hold interactive engagements, workshops and dialogues at a regional platform with students and young people. The conference is expecred to host more than 350 delegates as well as other civil society organizations, government representatives, UN Agencies and Tertiary Institutions.

Break Away Track sessions

• All confirmed sessions will be posted on the SARSYC Website.

• Partners willing to host a side event should submit a concept note of not more than 1 page detailing the topic, objectives and outputs of their session to sarsyc@saywhat.org.zw, praisegod@saywhat.org.zw and thembani@saywhat.org.zw. Deadline for concept note submission is 30 April 2024.

• Break away sessions venue will be provided at the conference venue. However, if partners may need a separate venue, they shall cover the costs incurred.

• Side events topics and themes should feed into the following thematic tracks of the conference:

• • Quality Education and Gender Equality (SDGs 4 and 5)

• • Climate change, humanitarian crises and disease outbreaks,

• • ICPD 30

• • HIV, TB and other communicable diseases.

• • AI and digital technology in public health

Side Event Registration

• Accepted concept notes will be notified not later than 10 May 2024.

• Partners hosting break away sessions will be required to support at least 5 young people to attend the conference.