Young African Defenders in Action (YADA Network)
Young African Defenders in Action (YADA) is a leading pan-Africanist youth network dedicated to promote and protect human rights and encourage youth groups to avoid violence. Young activists have been proving their role in making changes in Africa but they are still left behind in decision-making at all levels. Their non-violence initiatives need to be encouraged to avoid violent actions.
YADA aims therefore to :
- Build the capacity of young human rights defenders and their groups across Africa;
- Connect young defenders and promote exchange amongst young activists and youth leaders working on similar initiatives;
- Raise awareness on the role of youth in building peace and promoting human rights in Africa;
- Provide lobby and advocacy efforts for the youth initiatives in promoting human rights, conflicts prevention and peacebuilding.
- Promote interactions between young defenders and avoid fake news among youths;
- Encourage governments and other stakeholders to involve youth in their programmes and activities
- Provide young defenders with digital tools they need to continue their human rights work
OUR OBJECTIVES
The objective of the YADA network is to connect and support young human rights defenders in Africa and its Diasporas for the improvement of the respect of human dignity in Africa.
OUR MISSION
We want an African continent where peace, democracy and respect for human rights prevail.
OUR VISION
To bring together young human rights defenders from Africa and its diasporas to contribute to the safeguarding of human rights, solidarity, development, peace and democracy
MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES
Membership of the YADA network is open to any natural or legal person (organisation) who accepts the statutes, the programme of action, the rules of procedure (values and code of conduct), and provides evidence of their capacity and ability to belong to such an organisation.
The act of membership is individual. It is pronounced by the co-ordinating body after examining a motivated application for membership submitted by the person. Refusal of membership must be justified in accordance with the membership criteria and may be appealed to the General Assembly, which shall take the final decision.
The duration of the study of the application may not exceed 10 working days, during the period of waiting for the answer, the member benefits from the status of observer.
OUR VALUES
We are young African human rights defenders and activists. These are our values:
- We work to reduce human rights violations and conflicts in Africa
- We are non-violent change makers. Whenever it is necessary to fight for social change, we encourage people not to use violence
- We promote equal rights and transparency
- We accept diversity and respect people differences
- We are very much against fake news and information