International development experts have called on the government to collaborate with youths to achieve the sustainable development goals (SDGs) in Africa.
The call was made at the Youth Sustainability Development Conference 2021 – Pan African Edition (YSDC) organized in partnership with Jet Escp, Panta Group, International Supply Chain Education Alliance (ISCEA), OXZY and Hofstede Insight Nigeria.
The conference on the theme YSDC “Collaboration for Change: Empowering youth to deliver action towards the SDGs” had speakers and participants from all continents with over 250 from Africa.
Keynote speakers at the conference included Madison DeSliva; Director of Strategic Partnership ISCEA, Okechukwu Okere; Africa Regional Vice President of Hofstede Insight, Taylor Spicer; Assistant Director Office of Sustainability Initiative, Emory University and Omar Alshogre; Director Syrian Emergency Task Force.
It also featured panelists like Victor Kumar; Chairman Advisory Board JET ESCP, Maame Boateng; Associate| Executive Office of the CEO and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for All, Cassandra Akinde; Team Lead, The Neo Child Initiative, Nisreen Elsaim; Chair of UN Secretary General’s Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change, Madelle Kangha; Founder, Jumpstart Academy and United Nations Young Leader on the SDGs Class of 2018, Joshua Alade; Executive Director, Nigerian Youth SDGs and Olumide Idowu; Co-Founder and CEO International Climate Change Development Initiative.
Moderated by Harvard University Startup Mentor, Caroline Rakus-Wojciechowski, the discussion focused on the goals of the ‘SDG Case Challenge’ on unlocking the potential of African youth to develop and deliver the longer-term benefits of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals through Public-Private Partnerships.
Speaking during the conference, Panta Group Chief Executive Officer, David Kahale said, “The big challenge is always how we design infrastructure to capture data which unlocks value and fosters inclusivity, sustainability, and resilience.
“And seeing the incredible scenes of young professionals and aspiring young changemakers working together during the sessions has been truly heartwarming so far and gives me hope for the future. I am very proud of the work of the YSDC directors in nurturing the amazing pool of ideas coming from the young and talented minds of the conference delegates,” he added.
The CEO of OXZY, Samuel O KariKari also emphasized the power of young people to take action towards achieving SDGs.
“I believe in the power of young people like myself and my colleagues at Oxzy. I believe we have the power to bring change. We are the change we seek. We are the future we want. Now is the time. The future is now”
Mr Karikari further emphasized that “now more than ever young people need to follow their passion. They shouldn’t be afraid to dream, plan and achieve. The sky is always the starting point,” he added.
The Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, YSDC, Damilola Balogun while delivering his keynote address emphasized the need to promote youth and private sector leadership in the space of sustainable development.
“It is important that we emphasize that in this decade and beyond, we are dedicated to Promoting youth and private sector leadership in the space of sustainable development.
“Connecting private sector and youth-led initiatives in the space of social impact.
Finally, building a network of global change-makers such that they are provided with opportunities to further deepen their knowledge and understanding on sustainable development.”
Mr Balogun further said, “In achieving these long term goals, we believe that the fundamental measure of our success will be the value we create for our stakeholders over the long term period. This value will be a direct result of our ability to make huge contributions to solving the world’s biggest challenges- ranging from climate change, youth development, poverty and inequality.”
At the end of the Case Challenge, Saving The Earth Initiative Founder, Jude Onyeka from Nwaorieubi, Mbaitoli Local Government Area, Imo State, Nigeria emerged winner of the Case Challenge sponsored by Panta Group.
The recommendations from the Keynote Speakers and panelists revolved around youth continually taking actions towards effecting change within their immediate environment. YSDC is a perfect example of a youth-led initiative putting youth at the center of the UN SDGs.
