UNESCO
Safe on Campus
The African Forum on Safeguarding in Higher Education will bring together students, academics, policymakers, practitioners and leaders.
29–30 September 2026
Online. Free. English and French.
Safeguarding matters
Our continent is home to the youngest population in the world. With more than 400 million Africans between the ages of 15 and 35, the young population holds extraordinary potential to drive innovation and economic growth.
A fundamental requirement: creating inclusive education institutions where everyone can reach their full academic and professional potential. Together, we can build safer higher education institutions.
Featured Speakers
Hear from renowned voices across higher education, safeguarding, policy and youth leadership
Qun Chen
Teresa Omondi-Adeitan
Forum for African Women Educationalists
Marlaine Ahouanye
University of Abomey-Calavi
Quentin Wodon
UNESCO International Institute for Capacity Building in Africa
Irine Akite
Gulu University
Alphonse Affo
University of Abomey-Calavi
Be part of the conversation
Over two days, participants will be invited to interact with: live video sessions, Q&As with keynote speakers, including academics and policymakers, youth and students’ networks across Africa, and roundtables to discuss key safeguarding challenges, emerging issues and the latest research.
Learn from leading experts across Africa and globally.
Share and discover practical tools, including resources for young people and good practice guidance and examples.
Discuss emerging safeguarding challenges affecting higher education.
Connect with education leaders, policymakers, student networks and sector partners.
Explore innovative approaches to safeguarding in campuses.
A commitment for leaders across Africa
Participants will actively contribute to developing a Leaders Compact, a practical framework to help create safer organisational culture.
A commitment for leaders across Africa
Participants will actively contribute to developing a Leaders Compact, a practical framework to help create safer organisational culture.
Organising Committee
Representing our vision
The inspiration for the designs for this event draws inspiration from traditional African visual languages, including Adinkra symbols and uses them to create vivid patterns that communicate the core values of unity, protection and collective responsibility.
Each pattern expresses the initiative’s dedication to safeguarding communities, strengthening relationships and encouraging people to work together toward shared goals. Through this visual language, the initiative connects this deep and meaningful cultural heritage with its mission to promote cooperation, resilience and collective action.
Stay connected
Follow us to learn and be part of our initiatives. Together we can build a safer future.
Are you working on safeguarding in higher education in Africa? If so, we would love to connect and learn more about your work. Please reach out to info@keepingchildrensafe.global.