AFRICAN CONSENSUS YOUTH FORUM IN BEIJING CHINA

Ambassador of the United Republic of Tanzania to P.R. China, H.E. Abdulrahman Shimbo, who was also the Guest of Honor, delivering ...

Ambassador of the United Republic of Tanzania to P.R. China, H.E. Abdulrahman Shimbo, who was also the Guest of Honor, delivering his opening Speech

Panel !: How to Build the Next Generation of Leaders and Entrepreneurs in session, with Panelist from Lesotho, Nigeria, Zimbabwe & Zambia.

Panel II: What Africa can Learn From China in progress, with Panelists from Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Zambia & the Comoros, Standing was the Moderator for the Moderator for the Forum, Ms Amina Jarso from Kenya.

Forum Participants with H.E Ambassador Shimbo (5^th from right) and African Consensus Forum Secretariat.

The Chairman of African Consensus Forum, John P.M. Masuka, with the Guest of Honor H.E Amb. Shimbo.

Cross sectional of participants during the session.

Participants from Tanzania in a group Photo.

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The African Consensus Youth Forum took place at Tanzania Embassy Beijing, China on Saturday, 16^th May 2015. The Forum with the Theme “What Youth Wants” brought together Youth (Students, Entrepreneurs, working in China) to discuss Challenges facing Africa and how Youth can actively participate in meeting those challenges. Participants discussed in depth on: How to Build the Next Generation of Leaders and Entrepreneurs; and also what Africa can learn from China.

Introducing African Consensus Forum, the Chairman Mr. John Masuka said this is a unique platform that would bring together key stakeholders such as: Government, Civil Society, Academia, and Business & Finance to discuss challenges facing Africa and come up with a fresh, viable and sustainable approach. It will draw upon rich experiences of community and social entrepreneurs, business and finance leaders across the continent together with the shared experiences from other regions facing similar challenges. Some pioneering efforts of civil society in areas such as: Renewable energy, community empowerment, organic agriculture, water resource management, and environmental and endangered species protection, will be underscored. This approach therefore draws upon sharing pragmatic experiences that can be scaled up into viable economic models. 

The Chairman concluded by outlining the deliverables of the Forum that included:  An Outcome Paper (Which is a“Blue Print” that members facing same challenges with similar environment can borrow and implement); Recognition Awards for successful Leaders and Enterprises; and A Crisis Mediation Center.

In his opening Speech the Ambassador of the United Republic of Tanzania to P.R China, H.E  Rtd Lieutenant General  Abdurahaman Shimbo, commended the initiative as it brings together multi-stakeholders, including the Diplomatic Corps, to share challenges and come up with viable solutions.  He urged African Consensus Team to learn and build on experiences from similar initiatives; and also to the Embassies not to distant themselves from the youth, as they need guidance and support to exploit their full potential.

Addressing the Youth H.E Ambassador reiterated that, youths are the next generation of Leaders and Entrepreneurship, but their involvement should start now. The government and other stakeholders can provide the environment but youth themselves should be active and strategic to exploit available opportunities.

The Ambassador further narrated that their being in China, which is the second largest economy in the world; can be the stimulant of change, by building on the experiences drawn. He finally wished the participants fruitful deliberation, and urged them to move outside the box by discussing practical issues as opposed to theories and universal approaches.

Participants on their side generally thanked the organizers for creating such an opportunity that brought together Youths from all over Africa to discuss challenges and share experiences. It came out visibly that Youth being the Next Generation of Leaders and Entrepreneurs have a key role to play for their future. The extent of their involvement and timing play the key role, Governments and other stakeholders urged to engage them right from the initial stages of policy formulation and implementations.  In addition, they pointed out that Youth have been among the key beneficiaries of Sino-Africa relations through scholarships and exposure tours. Youth should use this opportunity to grasp best practices, enhance their knowledge and skills, explore relatively cheaper but workable technologies and implement, of course, tailor made to our environment. Lastly, requested the Embassies in Beijing, if they could support the initiatives so as to have frequent Forums of this nature, of which Youth strongly believe that would unite them, inspire their participation in the development agenda, and come up with pragmatic solutions to the challenges facing our countries.  

In Concluding Remarks, the African Consensus Youth Leader, Ms Liberata Rushaigo, besides thanking the active participation by Youth and Embassies, she assured the participants that the Team is determined to strengthen this Forum by increasing the frequency and introduce sector-related discussions. She also requested the Embassies to work hand-in hand with the Forum by providing guidance and support.