Organising and hosting the first ever Botswana Leadership Forum under the International Youth Think Tank and Students for Liberty was truly an honor and privilege. Standing at the forefront of this event not only allowed me to witness firsthand, the transformative power of young people working towards achieving a goal, but also inspiring change and challenging perspectives.

As the primary host, I was tasked with the responsibility of ensuring that the event ran smoothly, that discussions remained engaged and that everyone felt heard and valued. This allowed us to hear diverse perspectives and experiences and thus enrich our understanding of what democracy means in various contexts. Each one of the participants contributed unique insights that shaped their cultural, social, and political backgrounds, highlighting the multifaceted nature of democratic ideals. I believe these kinds of gatherings foster not only the exchange of ideas but also the cultivation of solutions to common challenges, emphasizing that democracy is not a one-size-fits-all concept. By uniting these voices, we can forge a collective vision of democracy, especially in Botswana and Africa at large, that is inclusive, adaptive, and responsive to the needs of its peoples, ensuring that its principles resonate deeply across generations and generations.

The most fulfilling part of the forum was seeing young people from different backgrounds in Botswana truly step into their power. The discussions highlighted the challenges that youth face in their leadership journeys and how they can be solved. Listening to the participants share their stories, experiences and ideas about leadership reinforced a longstanding steering principle that there is more strength in unity and inclusivity. This intentional push to engage with diverse topics and perspectives sparked rich discussions and challenged us to think critically about our beliefs and assumptions and it fostered an environment of curiosity and openness, encouraging us to embrace new ideas and approaches.

By stepping beyond our familiar narratives, I think that we not only deepened our understanding of democracy but also built connections with others who brought unique insights and experiences to the table.

Perhaps the most challenging aspect of this forum was working with very limited resources, ranging from financial constraints and lack of technical support. I am proud that I was able to find creative solutions to ensure the forum is a success. Despite these challenges, the vent proceeded successfully because of strategic planning, teamwork and support systems. I learned to prioritize what matters more- engaging discussion, meaningful connections and most importantly a shared vision for leadership development.

Nevertheless, I am eternally thankful to Urban, and the International Youth Think Tank team, Students for Liberty and young Batswana that attended for this incredible opportunity. Words can never truly express how grateful I am for the chance to connect with such inspiring individuals and engage in meaningful conversations. Their dedication to fostering youth empowerment and collaboration has made a lasting impact on me. I am hoping we will have more engagements like these in future.

Facts and numbers:

The Botswana Leadership forum was held on the 31st of January 2025 at the University of Botswana, Library Auditorium. The event ran from 09:00 to 14:00. We had received over 200 registrations on our form that was circulated across all social media platforms but only about 50 people showed up. The sponsors for this event were Students for Liberty and we received a discounted venue from the University of Botswana.