EVIDENCE TO IMPACT SYMPOSIUM: SHAPING ADOLESCENT CENTERED POLICIES AND PROGRAMS IN EASTERN AND SOUTHERN AFRICA
JUNE 09 - 11, 2026 | NAIROBI, KENYA
Overview
The Evidence to Impact Symposium: Shaping Adolescent-Centered Policies and Programs in Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) aims to bridge the gap between evidence, policy, and program implementation to improve the well-being of adolescents, particularly girls in Eastern and Southern Africa.
The symposium, co-hosted by the Population Council’s GIRL Center, the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), the African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP) and the National Council for Population and Development (NCPD), will bring together researchers, policymakers, civil , society, youth organizations, and funders to transform evidence into action for adolescents.
Adolescents' lives are shaped by interconnected health, education, social, economic, and political factors, further complicated by digital change, climate impacts, and humanitarian challenges. These realities require responsive, evidence-driven solutions that reflect their lived experiences. There is an urgent need for policies and programs that are evidence-based, accessible, and grounded in adolescents' realities.
We invite abstracts that explore how existing and emerging evidence should be used to drive impact.
Symposium Themes
We invite abstracts that explore how existing and emerging evidence should be used to drive impact.
1. Navigating Wellness: Holistic adolescent health in a changing world
Adolescents’ health and wellbeing are shaped by a diverse set of factors that interact across physical, emotional, and social dimensions. Many adolescents, especially girls, face overlapping risks such as mental health challenges gender and sexual based violence
2. Empowered Futures: Skills and educational pathways for adolescents
Adolescents’ opportunities to thrive are strongly shaped by access to quality education, life skills, and economic opportunities. Many of them face compounded barriers to quality of life due to gender-driven inequalities, poverty, disability, discriminatory practices, among other factors.
3. Resilience in the 21st Century: Adolescents thriving in digital, environmental, and social changes
The rapidly evolving digital, climate, and socio-political landscapes at global, regional and country levels present both opportunities and risks for adolescents. For instance, the glaring digital exclusion affects access to education, health information, and civic participation.
EXPECTED SYMPOSIUM OUTCOMES
This symposium will serve as a critical platform to shape the future of adolescent policies in Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA), ensuring that research informs adolescent centered policies, programing, resource mobilization, funding and decision-making for sustainable impact.
1.
Stronger collaboration between researchers, policymakers, and implementers on adolescent-centered programing and policy development and implementation.
2.
Identification of policy gaps and development of recommendations for adolescent-centered policies.
3.
Strengthened accountability and commitment from governments and development partners to implement evidence-based programs.
4.
Increased awareness and investment in adolescent wellbeing across ESA.
Why now?
The symposium makes the case for urgent, evidence-based policy and program action to ensure that adolescents, especially girls, not only survive, but thrive in the current times.
Demographic Dividend
With over 60% of Africa’s population under 25, Eastern and Southern Africa have a narrow window to turn this youth bulge into a demographic dividend. Timely investment in empowering them can boost productivity and reduce inequality
Policy Alignment
By building on frameworks like AU Agenda 2063, Beijing+30, and the SDGs, the symposium will tailor policies to lived experiences of adolescents in the region and inform future milestones such as ICPD+35.
Adolescents thriving in the changing times
Adolescents are growing up amidst a rapidly changing world. COVID-19, climate crises, and humanitarian shocks—alongside shrinking fiscal space, debt pressures, and stagnant funding among governments and stakeholders—continue to heighten exclusion and poor outcomes.
Yet investments in adolescents deliver some of the highest returns- every dollar spent on adolescent SRHR, education, and mental health saves multiple dollars in healthcare and economic costs while fueling productivity and growth. The symposium will showcase evidence on investing in and improving adolescents' wellbeing and make the case for an urgent shift in the conversation from evidence to policy and program impact.