ERCS Board Member Dr. Addisalem Mulat Calls for Stronger Youth Leadership and Meaningful Participation Across the RCNet Region
Dr. Addisalem Mulat, Board Member of the Ethiopian Red Cross Society (ERCS), delivered an inspiring address to the General Assembly of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Network for East Africa and the Indian Ocean (RCNet) following her election as the RCNet Youth Chairperson, calling for stronger youth leadership, meaningful participation, and greater investment in young people across the region.
Speaking at the RCNet General Assembly, held in Port Sudan, Sudan, from 14 – 16 July 2026, Dr. Addisalem began by expressing her sincere appreciation to the Ethiopian Red Cross Society for the trust, guidance, and support that enabled her to serve at the regional level. She reaffirmed her commitment to proudly representing the Society while upholding its humanitarian values throughout her tenure.
In her remarks, Dr. Addisalem highlighted the extraordinary contributions made every day by young people and volunteers across the region. She emphasized that young volunteers are at the forefront of responding to disasters, floods, and conflicts, organizing blood donation campaigns, leading first-aid services, supporting public health initiatives, educating communities, strengthening resilience, promoting peace, and introducing innovation into humanitarian action while consistently upholding the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
She stressed that the challenge facing National Societies is no longer whether young people possess the passion, skills, and commitment to lead, but whether institutional systems are evolving quickly enough to create meaningful opportunities for youth leadership. She noted that meaningful youth engagement should be measured not by the number of young people attending meetings, but by their influence on decisions, their access to leadership opportunities, and the resources made available to transform their ideas into lasting humanitarian impact.
Dr. Addisalem further called upon National Societies across the RCNet region to strengthen youth representation in governance, policy development, strategic planning, and decision-making processes. She also emphasized the importance of investing in leadership development, mentorship, humanitarian diplomacy, and technical capacity-building for young volunteers. In addition, she advocated for sustainable financing for youth-led initiatives, the establishment of stronger and more representative youth structures within National Societies, the creation of a regional youth innovation fund, and enhanced protection, mental health and psychosocial support, safeguarding, and recognition for volunteers serving on the frontlines.
Concluding her address, Dr. Addisalem emphasized that these commitments are not solely investments in young people but investments in stronger National Societies, empowered volunteers, resilient communities, and a stronger Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement across East Africa and the Indian Ocean. She called upon the General Assembly to endorse these commitments and reaffirm its collective commitment to building a more inclusive, resilient, and youth-led humanitarian future.
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