WHS Regional Meeting Nairobi 2026

Positioning Youth at the Centre of Africa’s Health Future

The Youth & Health Event is a dedicated youth gathering designed to move beyond symbolic participation and translate youth voice into youth power through evidence-informed, policy-relevant dialogue.

📅 27–28 April 2026 📍 United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON) 🌍 Youth leaders from across Africa and beyond

Why this event matters

Young people are not only the largest users of health systems — they are emerging providers, innovators, advocates, and system builders shaping the future of health across the continent.

  • Evidence-informed policy dialogue
  • Youth-led leadership and accountability
  • Breakout sessions with practical outputs
  • Insights that feed into the full WHS agenda
About the Event

A platform built for youth leadership, action, and influence

Anchored in the World Health Summit Regional Meeting 2026 theme, “Reimagining African Health Systems: Innovation, Integration, and Interdependence,” this event convenes young professionals, researchers, students, advocates, and innovators to engage in structured discussions that are practical, forward-looking, and policy-relevant.

  • Move beyond symbolic participation to meaningful youth power
  • Shape health systems conversations at local, national, and regional levels
  • Contribute recommendations that inform the wider Summit
  • Connect with peers, institutions, and partners across Africa
Event at a Glance
2 Days of Engagement
6 Parallel Sessions
30+ Speakers
200+ Youth Participants
What to Expect

A space built for dialogue, action, and connection

Structured Breakout Dialogue

Sessions are designed to generate practical insights and recommendations that can influence decision-making, investment priorities, and accountability mechanisms across health systems.

Interactive Conversations

From keynote moments to life conversations, participants will engage in open, thoughtful exchanges on the ideas shaping the future of health in Africa.

Cross-Continental Connection

Meet fellow students, researchers, practitioners, youth-led organisations, and innovators committed to transforming health systems across the continent and beyond.

Session Tracks

Track 1: Youth as Architects of Health System Resilience

Explore how youth leadership can help build resilient, future-ready health systems in the face of demographic change, urbanisation, digital transformation, and shifting disease burdens.

  • Digital Health, AI, and Youth-Driven Innovation
  • Climate Change, Planetary Health, and Youth Action
  • Health Workforce of the Future: Youth at the Centre

Track 2: The Role of Youth in Reimagining Health Systems

Examine the structural, financial, and social dimensions of transformation and how young people can influence priorities, governance, and equitable investment in health systems.

  • Health Equity, Gender, and Social Justice
  • Financing Health & Investing in Youth
  • Conflict, Migration, and Urbanization

Life Conversation

Scroll Smart: What to believe in the Age of AI and Olnie Influence
Digital platforms now shape how health information is created, shared, and trusted. This interactive session explores how young advocates, creators, and health professionals can navigate online influence, rebuild public trust, and advance youth-driven digital health leadership.

Who Should Attend

A diverse community of young changemakers

✓ University Students
✓ Young Health Professionals
✓ Early-Career Researchers
✓ Youth-Led & Youth-Focused Organisations
✓ Civil Society & Development Partners
✓ Health Innovators & Entrepreneurs
Key Outcomes

What this event will produce

Actionable Policy Insights

Recommendations for strengthening youth participation in health systems governance, delivered directly into Summit-level discussions and decision-making spaces.

New Partnerships

Connections between young leaders, academic institutions, global health organisations, civil society, and development partners that continue beyond the 2026 meeting.

Youth Declaration / Roadmap

A collective output capturing recommendations, commitments, and calls to action from participants for presentation at the World Health Summit Regional Meeting.

Greater Visibility for Youth Leadership

Amplified recognition of youth-led innovation, advocacy, and leadership in health across continental and global platforms.

Programme

Event schedule

Monday, 27 April 2026
3:30 PM – 3:50 PM
Keynote Speech Youth Voice to Youth Power: Driving Digital, Climate, and Workforce Transformation for Health Equity
3:50 PM – 6:00 PM
6 Parallel Breakout Sessions Youth as Architects of Health System Resilience
Digital Health, AI, and Youth-Driven Innovation
Climate Change, Planetary Health, and Youth Action
Health Workforce of the Future: Youth at the Centre
Health Equity, Gender, and Social Justice
Financing Health & Investing in Youth
Conflict, Migration, and Urbanization
Tuesday, 28 April 2026
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Life Conversations Scroll Smart: What to believe in the Age of AI and Online Influence Moderators
  • Dr Angela Migowa/ Dr Hope Simiyu
Panelists
  • Grace Murungi Wanjala
  • Benson Githaiga
  • Nyandia Gachango
  • Bright Gameli
  • Majeur Maina
  • Eunice Tole
Expert Audience
  • Cornelia Mukandie
  • Philip Mwaniki
  • Wafa Hamdi
  • Mercy Kihugi
  • Eve Kibaare
  • Brian Muchiri
  • Wanjiru Mbugua Njui
  • Diana Johns
  • Gidah Waithaka Nungari
  • Victoria Mwelu Njue
  • Felix Nyagaka
  • Winnie Ndaka
  • Moses Kemibaro
  • Caroline Mwangi
  • George Nyaosi
  • Grace Maya
  • Winfred Kithinji
  • Brian Waihenya
Registration

Ready to join us?

Secure your place at the Youth & Health Event and be part of the conversation shaping Africa’s health future.

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