Introducing Storytelling with a Purpose: Civil Society Youth Interview Series

Storytelling with a Purpose is a civil society youth-led and youth-focused interview series created with the aim of sharing how civil society is taking action to create a sustainable future and as a way to inspire others and benefit our world.

The series features pre-recorded stories from youth and youth-led/youth-focused civil society organizations (Action Storytellers) on how they are creating change and solutions to problems that we are facing in society.

The purpose of these episodes is to create a bridge to connect with change makers and storytellers of all demographics and share innovative ways to reach a sustainable future which is in line with the United Nations 2030 Agenda.

The interview series also includes information on upcoming conferences and events that occur at the �山��as a way to further create an additional link between civil society and international development practitioners (this includes practitioners, organizations, experts, etc.) on a local level.

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Episode 1. A conversation with Aya Chebbi, Former African Union Envoy on Youth, Founder and Chair of NalaFem

In our inaugural interview, we had the honour and pleasure to interview Ms. Aya Chebbi, former Youth Envoy to the African Union and founder and chair of Nala Feminist Collective, a group whose mission is to foster, enable and mobilize young women from Africa and the Diaspora.

We were intrigued to know more about Aya��s impactful work and her journey on becoming the African Union Youth Envoy. Her inspiring story spans generations, the entire African continent, and the world. Aya shares with us her deepest aspirations and goals to engage youth and ensure they have access to decision-making platforms, such as the African Union and the United Nations. In her own words, ��you're not the leaders of tomorrow, you are the leaders of today�� Introducing the notion of intergenerational co-leadership, Aya highlights collaboration as the backbone of sustainable development.

As an advocate for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and for creating partnerships Aya has brought key actors and stakeholders to the same platform. Particularly meaningful for Aya is SDG 17 (Partnership for the goals) and SDG 5 (The Goal for Gender Equality). Through Aya's work, she has learned that the struggles of the feminist movement can also offer important lessons for youth and their ability to participate.

Honoring generations of strong leadership in Africa, we asked Aya what Mandela would think about the youth of today. Aya stressed their resiliency and struggles for inclusion as admirable attributes Mandela would likely appreciate. Aya shared more about her inspiration and her difficulties working on behalf of young people and the need for a borderless interconnected world where they are free to pursue their dreams. Aya agreed with the wise words of Nelson Mandela who said ��It always seems impossible until it's done."

Listen to the conversation here: