Monday, May 26th, 2008
Learning from Each Other for a Vibrant Africa
African and Asian Youths Speak Out in Dialgue for TICAD IV
We need to give each other the space to grow, to be ourselves, to exercise our diversity
We need to give each other space so that we may both give and receive such beautiful things as ideas, openness, dignity, joy, healing, creativity and inclusion
--- message from Tanzania ---
Youths from Africa and Asia “gathered” via GDLN videoconference on May 26, 2008 to share knowledge and exchange views on achieving a vibrant Africa. On the occasion of TICAD IV (Tokyo International Conference on African Development), the session was organized by the TDLC, World Bank Tokyo Office and UNICEF to provide a platform for future leaders to voice their opinions. UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and Senegalese singer Youssou N’Dour made a special appearance at the TDLC and pushed the younger generation to take an active role in the decision making process.
Participating in the 3-hour session were groups representing youths from Africa (Ghana, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania) and Asia (Japan, South Korea, Vietnam). An audience of nearly 100 joined the session at the TDLC.
“You bring energy, creativity and hope” said World Bank Acting Senior Vice President Edith Grace Ssempala, addressing beaming faces in the audience and on screen.
“I want to encourage you to be active and vigilant to make sure your voice is heard loud and clear, so you are equipped and prepared to face the challenges of the future”.
Groups representing each country, many from the local chapters of the Youth Development & Peace (YDP) network launched by the World Bank, gave a presentation on a topic of their choice relating to TICAD priority issues.
Part 1, moderated by UNICEF Tokyo Office for Japan and the Republic of Korea Director Dan Rohrmann featured presentations from Ghana (Ensuring Human Security Assistance to help Achieve MDGs), Senegal (non-formal education in Senegal), Japan (Human Security in Africa- World wide youth partners is fundamental) and Vietnam (Youth’s active involvement in SRRH and HIV/AIDS).
Senegal stressed the importance of non-formal education; “Youth are development actors” said the presenter, “but because of the precarious socioeconomic conditions, over 32% of children between the ages of 10-15 work, many becoming street children”. Support for non-formal education would offer a way to reduce the illiteracy rate, and provide out-of school children with skills that would facilitate social integration.
Part 2, led by World Bank Director of Operations and Strategy, Africa Region, Hartwig Schafer, focused on economic development. South Africa, Tanzania and South Korea reported on their own country’s experience.
“Investment for whom?” asked the presenter from the YDP Chapter in Tanzania. In a Powerpoint presentation, the service industry, finance and banking, tourism and supermarkets were identified as major areas of investment, praised as good economic practice. “A conducive environment for investment is the song we all need to echo without understanding its meaning. Our priorities are agriculture, promotion of the industrial sector, education and health.”
Youssou N’Dour had a message for Japan as host of TICAD IV: “We have come to say, reduce the distance between the people from Africa and your country…The world is one little planet, and kids have to be thinking at the same time, from Africa, from Asia”.
He also asked the group to envision Africa moving forward, with solidarity and riches.
Following an active question and answer session on a broad range of issues, UNICEF’s Regional Director for Western and Central Africa, Esther Guluma highlighted key messages from the session:
- This Dialogue between Africa and Asia must be continued on a regular basis to gain more knowledge about Africa’s diversity
- The voice of young people is the voice that must be raised and heard for the future
- Capacity building is needed to ensure that youth are part of strategic decision making
These views will be conveyed to TICAD IV.
The Dialogue was webcast live to raise awareness of concerns held by youth groups in Africa and Asia, and to gain support for continuous dialogue. An archived version is available for view.
