September 12, 2016 — Last month, active citizens from across the globe came together for the first ever JCI African Youth Development Summit in Nairobi, Kenya to work toward the advancement of Africa.
The Summit, which was held in collaboration with the Sixth Tokyo International Conference of African Development, was guided by the vision of the Africa We Want as outlined in Agenda 2063, driven by Pan-Africanism and advanced by the Global Goals for Sustainable Development. Agenda 2063 is a call for action to all segments of African society to work together to build a prosperous and united Africa based on shared values and a common destiny created by the African Union.
The event offered a full program featuring engaging speakers from all sectors across Africa. Opening Ceremony Keynote and Gender Equality Advocate and Youth Leader, Vivian Onano kicked off the event with inspiring words on the vision young people have for Africa. Event sponsor and President and CEO of Saraya Co. Ltd., Yusuke Saraya gave opening remarks encouraging the collaboration of businesses and NGO’s for a more sustainable world.
The engaging workshop Mobilizing Young People Through the Media featured Broadcaster and Conference Host Henry Bonsu, CEO at African Media Initiative Eric Chinje and Editor and Chief at Ovation International Dele Momodu. The workshop explored how young people have the ability to change the narrative of African development portrayed by the media.
Summit attendees took part in the interactive session Analyzing the Current Situation; a panel discussion on the advancement of Agenda 2063 and the Global Goals. The Summit concluded with the creation of the 2016 JCI African Youth Development Summit Declaration, which outlined the commitments of African youth to produce an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa. Kenyan Permanent Representative to the United Nations and Closing Ceremony Keynote Macharia Kamau closed out the event reaffirming the need for youth to be champions of change and achieve Agenda 2063.
“The future of Africa unquestionably belongs to its young people and while it is necessary to engage government actors, it is imperative that African development includes all sectors of society namely government, business and the civil society,” said JCI Secretary General Arrey Obenson.
View the 2016 JCI African Youth Development Summit Declaration.
About JCI: JCI is a worldwide membership-based nonprofit organization of young active citizens ages 18 to 40 who are dedicated to creating positive change in their communities. Through projects in more than 5000 communities across nearly 120 countries, members seek targeted solutions to local problems, creating a global impact.