As part of the activities commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the ECOWAS Resident Representation in Benin has empowered secondary school students through a unique blend of art and education, offering a platform for young people to imagine the future of regional integration.
According to a statement from the ECOWAS Directorate of Communication, the initiative featured creative and educational workshops held over three days at CEG 1 Godomey and Collège Saint Romaric in Akassato.
The sessions brought together students for engaging discussions and visual art projects centered on key themes including health, peace, unity, education, agriculture, security, and regional cooperation. The workshops aimed to nurture civic responsibility, creativity, and active participation among West African youth.
Speaking on the initiative, the ECOWAS Resident Representative in Benin, Mr. Amadou Diongue, emphasized the importance of youth empowerment in shaping the region’s future. “Our youth must be equipped and inspired to become the architects of tomorrow’s ECOWAS,” he stated.
The students’ artistic creations and messages of hope and unity are set to be officially unveiled during a vernissage on kk May 30 at the Novotel Gardens in Cotonou. This exhibition will form part of the golden jubilee celebrations, co-organized by ECOWAS and the Government of Benin.
In addition, these works will feature at the regional “Golden Jubilee Village” event scheduled for September 2025, further amplifying the voices and visions of West Africa’s younger generation.
As part of the program, restitution events were also organized, allowing students to present their ideas and artistic expressions on integration and development to peers and local community leaders.
This youth-focused initiative aligns with ECOWAS Vision 2050, which seeks to transform the bloc from an “ECOWAS of States” to an “ECOWAS of Peoples.” It underscores the organization’s growing commitment to fostering civic education, creativity, and meaningful youth involvement in the region’s development agenda.
The program was implemented with the technical expertise of Ateliers Sika, a Benin-based cultural and creative organization.
