Problem statement:

 

Africa remains the youngest continent in the world with a population of 200 million youth between the ages of 15 - 24 years (youth bracket.) This number will double by the year 2045, according to the African Economic Outlook 2012, prepared by the African Development Bank and the UN Development Program amongst others. It is expectation that 86 percent of the world’s extreme poor will live in sub-Saharan Africa in 2050. Though Africa is consistently plagued by narratives of insecurity, instability, and mass migration; it is important to note that her youth, the workforce of the future, are innovators, leaders, and entrepreneurs. These are the skills required to unlock potential and productivity to reduce poverty and secure improved living standards.

Therefore, we cannot have dialogues about the future of Africa, and the importance of investing into health and education of her youth without their active voice and participation.

 

Proposed solution:

 

The Africa we Want dialogue is an online series hosted by the Cape Town hub that engages African youth in the discussion towards the Africa 2063 Agenda. This dialogue was created to achieve the following objectives:

·       To urge African countries and their leaders to seriously invest in human capital by focusing resources towards the interests of the young population, leaders and our communities at large.

·       To provide a platform for African youth to amplify their voice

·       To cultivate the African identity

·       Vehicle to foster engagement between stakeholders

·       To bridge the gap between African youth and their leaders, to create an opportunity for collaboration to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals

·       The dialogue is a meeting point to express common interest

 

Target group:

·       African youth between the ages of 15 and 24 years

·       African leaders including government, public and private sector leaders

·       Global Shapers community

·       Youth from the general public

Hub activities involved in this project:

·       The hub hosted 3 online dialogues which connected youth from at least 6 African countries

·       Hosting live “Africa We Want” Dialogue side event at the World Economic Forum on Africa

·       Arranging live broadcasting on radio stations and podcasts for the sessions.

Short- and long-term goals for this project:

 

·       To urge African countries and their leaders to seriously invest in human capital in the youth in Africa to aid in unlocking potential and productivity to reduce poverty and secure improved living standards.

·       To cultivate youth participation in the development of the continent.

·       Focusing resources towards the interests of the young population to steer the youth against the prospects of a poverty trap towards a future of security and stability.

·        African youth led /incorporated dialog and policy implemented

·       Embedding the culture of inclusivity and rebuild trust between stakeholders

 

Impact achieved by this project:

 

·   Hosted an event with over 50 participants in attendance. These sessions have resulted in published arti­cles and letters to African leaders to ensure that Agenda 2063 is not only sensitive to the needs and aspirations of the continents youth but is developed with their active involvement.

Collaborations:

·       Global Shaper community

·       World Economic forum

·       African leaders including presidents, CEO, business leaders

·       Youth from the general public