The WFAD, together with the Young Professionals Advisory Board (YPAB), a youth-led initiative of the Drug Free America Foundation, has launched a new six-month Youth-Led Webinar Series. The series brings together young leaders, professionals, advocates, and experts from around the world to explore issues affecting young people and strengthen youth engagement in substance use prevention.

Over the coming months, the series will cover a range of topics, including youth leadership in prevention, suicide and substance use prevention, the use of artificial intelligence in prevention, and mental health, trauma, and self-care. Through interactive discussions and practical examples, the webinars aim to create a platform for knowledge sharing, collaboration, and meaningful youth participation.

The series began on 22 June with its first session, Youth Voices in Prevention, featuring Barbara Nakijoba, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Officer at Uganda Youth Development Link and African Union Youth Representative on the ICCUDDR Global Commission, and Ariel Cohn, a public health professional working in substance use and suicide prevention among young people. The session was moderated by Kaitlin Nichols, Substance Use Prevention Programme Coordinator at Drug Free America Foundation and lead of the Youth Professionals Advisory Board.

Drawing on their experiences from Uganda and the United States, Barbara and Ariel shared practical examples of how young people can play an active role in prevention efforts, contribute to decision-making, and strengthen their communities. They highlighted the importance of meaningful youth participation, building partnerships, developing leadership skills, and ensuring that young people are recognised not only as beneficiaries of prevention efforts, but as key partners in designing and delivering them.

The discussion also emphasised the value of creating opportunities for young people to develop professionally, collaborate across borders, and exchange ideas with peers working in prevention. Throughout the session, participants were encouraged to see youth voices as an essential part of creating stronger, more inclusive, and evidence-informed prevention systems.

This webinar marks the beginning of a six-month journey, and we look forward to welcoming participants to the upcoming sessions as we continue exploring important topics affecting young people around the world.

Stay tuned to our website and social media channels for information about upcoming webinars and registration details. We look forward to continuing the conversation with you throughout the series.