20TH SOUTHERN ZONE YOUTH FORUM Manzini, Eswatini | 1–2 May 2026 1. INTRODUCTION I am Khotso Khalanyane from Lesotho Scout Association. I had the opportunity to attend the 20th Southern Zone Youth Forum, held from 1st to 2nd May 2026 at the Catholic Centre in Manzini, Eswatini. The forum brought together youth representatives from various National Scout Organizations (NSOs) across the Southern Zone. The purpose of the forum was to create a platform for young people to actively engage in dialogue, share experiences, contribute to decision-making processes, and strengthen youth participation within Scouting structures at zonal level. 2. KEY LEARNING AREAS 2.1 SAFE FROM HARM(SFH) Key learnings included: * Role of Youth in Safeguarding: Young people are not only beneficiaries but also active participants in promoting safety. They have a responsibility to identify, prevent, and report harmful behaviors within their NSOs. * Creating Safe Environments: Participants learned how to foster inclusive, respectful, and secure environments during Scout activities, events, and interactions. This session reinforced that safeguarding is a shared responsibility and a fundamental aspect of quality Scouting. 2.2 SCOUTS FOR SDGs Key takeaways included: * Youth as Change Makers: Young people play a critical role in addressing community challenges aligned with the SDGs, such as poverty, education, climate action, and health. * Integration into Scouting Activities: Participants learned how to integrate SDGs into regular Scout programs and initiatives. *Collaboration and Partnerships: Working with local stakeholders, organizations, and communities was highlighted as essential for sustainable impact. This session empowered participants to see themselves as active contributors to sustainable development through Scouting. 3. OTHER KEY ACTIVITIES In addition to the thematic sessions, the forum included: * A plenary session where Youth Advisors shared progress and challenges * An NSO Exchange Session for sharing best practices and experiences * Group discussions to develop and adopt recommendations * Networking sessions to strengthen regional collaboration 4. CONCLUSION Attending the 20th Southern Zone Youth Forum was a valuable and enriching experience. It strengthened my understanding of the critical role young people play in both safeguarding within Scouting and contributing to sustainable development.