Africa Trains 9th Class of Humanitarian Leaders in Zambia

African leaders are gathering in Lusaka, Zambia this week to master the skills needed to save lives during humanitarian emergencies across the continent.

The African Union kicked off its 9th Livingstone Syllabus training program on June 3rd, bringing together government officials, aid workers, and humanitarian experts from across Africa. The weeklong program focuses on strengthening how African nations respond to displacement, natural disasters, and protection crises.

Named after the Zambian city where it first launched in 2016, the training has become a flagship initiative for building humanitarian expertise on African soil. Participants dive deep into two groundbreaking African agreements: the 1969 convention on refugee protection and the 2009 Kampala Convention, which specifically protects people displaced within their own countries.

This year's session comes at a critical time. Africa faces mounting humanitarian challenges from conflict, climate disasters, and food insecurity that have displaced millions of people. The training equips decision makers with practical tools to turn policy commitments into real action on the ground.

Participants are exploring innovative approaches that connect emergency relief with long term development. They're learning how to integrate displaced populations into national systems and development plans, rather than treating them as temporary problems. Sessions cover everything from humanitarian financing to climate related displacement and the new African Humanitarian Agency.

The Ripple Effect

The program's impact extends far beyond the classroom. Graduates return home equipped to create more coordinated disaster responses, better protect vulnerable populations, and build systems that prevent humanitarian crises from spiraling. By training hundreds of leaders over nearly a decade, the African Union is creating a continent wide network of experts who share best practices and learn from each other's experiences.

The United Kingdom's development office is funding this year's training, while the UN refugee agency continues its decade long partnership supporting the program. Together, they're investing in African led solutions to African challenges.

This approach matters because it builds homegrown expertise rather than relying solely on international actors during emergencies. When the next crisis hits, African nations will have trained leaders ready to respond quickly and effectively, saving more lives and protecting more dignity.

The Livingstone Syllabus proves that investing in people pays dividends when disaster strikes.