Youth-Safe Digital Futures: Call for Papers 2026

The UNDP, in partnership with the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), invites researchers, practitioners, youth experts, digital rights advocates, and technology policy specialists from across Africa to submit original policy papers for a forthcoming policy compendium on youth-safe digital futures in Africa. Papers should provide analysis on how Africa can build digital ecosystems that promote peace, inclusion, accountability, and sustainable development while protecting youth from online harms; themes include digital inclusion and AI, safe digital spaces, information integrity, and youth innovation and livelihoods.

Eligible contributors include researchers, academics, youth experts, civil society organizations, technology policy specialists, digital rights advocates, peacebuilding practitioners, think tanks, development professionals, and youth-led organizations from Africa.

Submit an original policy paper of approximately 2,000 words following editorial and submission guidelines; papers undergo editorial review and external peer review.