Bringing the Fire: UN and Bushfire Ignite Youth Voices Across Eswatini

Over the past week, the United Nations in Eswatini and the MTN Bushfire Festival have sparked meaningful conversations across university campuses through the UN Bring Your Fire Live Dialogues – a youth-led series that inspires critical thinking and community involvement. 

Hosted through four sessions at Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, University of Eswatini (UNESWA) Kwaluseni and Luyengo Campuses, as well as House on Fire, the dialogues attracted over 200 students at each session, with many more joining via live broadcast on Eswatini TV. The conversations explored topics ranging from Food Systems and Climate Action to Mental Health, HIV, Gender-Based Violence, and the Future of Creative Industries – all of which are connected to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“This is a beautiful platform for us, the youth of Eswatini, to learn about issues we wouldn’t normally hear about if we weren’t in this room ”, said one of the attendees.

Organized by United Nations (UN) agencies including the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Food Programme (WFP), the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the dialogues created a space for open exchange between youth, artists, policymakers, and civil society. The panels reflected the diversity of the issues discussed – with young creatives sitting alongside government officials, UN representatives, and local change-makers.

“Climate change has no borders,” one speaker emphasized at the live dialogue on climate action. The creative sector also took centre stage: “As Africans, we need to leverage the knowledge we have here in Africa, native ways, write them in books and document it.”

“These are not just conversations. These are calls to action,” declared Siya Dlamini, a youth presenter for the dialogue series. “This joint outreach programme is all about empowering young people to become agents of change – through dialogue, action, and shared learning.”

With the dialogue series concluded, all eyes now turn to the Bushfire Music Festival, set for 30 May to 1 June 2025. One of Africa’s most celebrated music and arts events, Bushfire attracts thousands from across the region and beyond – and this year, the UN family will again take part in the MTN Bring Your Fire Zone.

This vibrant, interactive space will showcase the work of UN agencies, highlight innovation and creativity for sustainable development, and invite festivalgoers to engage in meaningful conversations that fuse culture with purpose.

“The conversation does not end here. Let’s make sure that we keep the fire burning.”

As the rhythm builds toward Bushfire 2025, the UN remains committed to standing with youth, artists, communities, and partners – turning ideas into action, and creativity into change.