THE AFRICAN YOUTH SUMMIT
Ogochukwu Nweke
Greetings,
THE AFRICANYOUTH SUMMIT - September 26,2009
OUR DUTY TO ACT
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The African Youth summit- the first of its kind on the continent is the coming together of young Africans between the ages of 18 and 35 to deliberate discuss and find practical solutions to the social, economic and political problems that have bedevilled the African continent for decades. This summit which is being facilitated by the 42nd Generation, (an African NGO based in Accra, Ghana) seeks to address developmental issues, including, but not limited to the following:
· the inefficient service delivery systems in Africa,
· poverty,
· better healthcare for Africans,
· civil conflicts and
· Irresponsible governance on the continent.
This 1-day event which is expected to assemble 500 ambitious and results-oriented Africans will produce a working document which will influence policies and legislation in Africa. It is expected to create networks and partnerships among development stakeholders and build the platform for the voices of African youths to be heard. This knowledge sharing seminar will bring together resource persons from east, central and the West African sub region.
The summit is expected to be very interactive with at least 6 interactive sessions. Seminar materials, CD’s and certificates would be awarded to participants.
Introduction
The African continent is presently burdened with diverse social economic issues ranging from inefficient and non functional human service delivery, poverty, loss of health and life, conflict and wars, misrule and ragged system of governance etc and the African youths are at the receiving end of this burden. They look ahead and they see a bleak future, a future they cannot contest, rule or enjoy side by side with their peers in the western world, a future that offers toil, suffering and despair, a future that extols negative behaviour and offers criminalism as a means to ‘wealth creation’
This situation makes it expedient and a matter of urgency for the African youths to be offered a platform for discussion and action aimed at addressing these burdens and creating a role and responsibility for the youths across the continent to work as one and as a force for the change of the status quo for their sake, the sake of the continent and the sake our children born and yet to be born.
The 42nd Generation being aware of this burden and having a vision of an African society where the people are socially and economically developed and have the freedom of choice to choose the part they want their life to go, have resolved to create the needed platform for discussion and action. The platform is The African Youth Summit (TAYS).
The Vision of TAYS
An African society whose government is responsive to the yearnings and aspirations of her youth population, and is willing and able to explore, and develop their talents and skills, for the social economic growth of the continent.
The Objective of TAYS
TAYS seeks among other things, to:
- Create a platform for socio cultural interaction amongst African youths
- Create a united forum for the engagement of African leaders on governance and social economic development
- Establishment of a network for discussion
Target Participants
- Every African, whether from Africa or the diaspora between 18 and 35 is eligible to attend;
- Youth that are already in activities that project the African value and progress whether in schools or organisations or in any other community they find themselves;
- Young African professionals also are targets of this historic event, as their input will be of tremendous benefit to the summit.
Events
The events at the summit include the following:
- Paper presentation
- Plenary Sessions: Where issues are brought up discussed and recommendations made – “The African Youth and Leadership”
- As part of this conference, we shall be showing a TED presentation by Ngozi Okonji Iweala (Nigeria), George Ayetteh (Ghana) and Andrew Mwenda (Uganda); plus a presentation by the late Dr. Ivan Van sertima (West Indies).
Deliverables
- Between 150-500 African Youth Participants
- Working document that can be adopted and used for policies, legislatures and development actions across Africa
- Create networks and partnership among development stakeholders, including the youth participants, through platforms such as d-groups and other platforms to be recommended at the summit.
- Through the forum, an opportunity for constant interaction beyond the summit
- The interactive and plenary sessions which are integral parts of the summit.
- A platform for information and knowledge sharing.
ISSUES
► Communal Social Responsibility: The Role the Africa Youth can play
Interactive Session: War Against Corruption
► African Progress: Reconstructing the African Image Using the African
Media
Interactive Session: The Role the Media Must Play from now
► Managing HIV/AIDS as the generation of future African Leaders
Interactive Session: Africa’s Contribution to HIV/AIDS Management
► Taxation and the Young African Entrepreneur
Interactive Session: Policies that protect SMEs
► African Art: A Legacy Crying For Preservation
Interactive Session: Resisting the Perversion
► Redefining Territorial Integrity In Africa
Interactive Session: Who Is a Foreigner?
Added to the above will be issues on ICT4D and issues on the sustainability of the environment. From the outcome of this summit, a communiqué shall be prepared, which shall be sent to (and published) in the leading newspaper/magazine in all the African countries. Practical steps as to what the African youth could actually do to be relevant in his community will be extensively addressed. An on-line discussion group shall be created, which shall host every participant of the summit, and shall be a platform whereby information and knowledge shall be shared for the purpose of feedback as to the progress, challenges and possible solutions to challenges that the youth may encounter in dealing with the issues in their environment.
REGISTRATION FEE – Gh¢60 (International Participation)
Gh¢30 (Local Participation)
This event will compromise the following:
- Seminar Materials/CDs
- Certificate of Participation
- 2 Snack breaks plus lunch on the day of the summit
International Participation
pays more
because, they will receive services pertaining to transportation to and
from
the event venue and arrangements connected to their accommodation. But
if the international participant chooses the option of sorting out his
accommodation privately, he can pay what the local participants pay.
Interested?
Send an email to ad...@africanyouthsummit.com before September 5, 2009, indicating your interest to participate. Should you also require a cover letter that will help you get sponsorship to the event, send a mail to proj...@africanyouthsummit.com with your contact details.
Africa Has Hope, Because Africa Has YOU!
*************************************************
Ogochukwu Chidiebere Nweke
The 42nd Generation International
Ghana
+233-21-925-342, +233-246-273798
www.africantalks.wordpress.com
African? Never stop thinking... A New Africa Is Possible