YOUTH SKILLS

 

World Youth Skills Day 2022 promotes TVET as a Solution

“Young people are drivers of change and must be fully engaged in decisions affecting their future. Guided by the United Nations Youth 2030 strategy, I urge everyone to act for youth skills development as a priority, at the Summit and beyond.”  UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

by Thandisizwe Mgudlwa July 19, 2022

“Young people are drivers of change and must be fully engaged in decisions affecting their future. Guided by the United Nations Youth 2030 strategy, I urge everyone to act for youth skills development as a priority, at the Summit and beyond.”  UN Secretary-General António
Guterres.

The UN Chief made these words on Friday, July 15, 2022 during the World Youth Skills Day celebrations.

In 2014, the United Nations General Assembly declared July 15 as World Youth Skills Day.

The idea behind this move is to celebrate the strategic importance of equipping young people with skills for employment, decent work and entrepreneurship.

And since then, World Youth Skills Day has provided a unique opportunity for dialogue between young people, technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions, firms, employers’ and workers’ organizations, policy-makers and development partners.

World Youth Skills Day 2022 took place amid concerted efforts towards socio-economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic that are interconnected with challenges such as climate change, conflict, persisting poverty, rising inequality, rapid technological change, demographic transition among others.

Research shows that young women and girls, young persons with disabilities, youth from poorer households, rural communities, indigenous peoples, and minority groups, as well as those who suffer the consequences of violent conflict and political instability, continue to be excluded due to a combination of factors.

In addition, the crisis has accelerated several transitions the world of work was already undergoing, which add layers of uncertainty regarding the skills and competencies that will be in demand after the pandemic is overcome.

TVET is well placed to help address these challenges by reducing access barriers to the world of work, ensuring that skills gained are recognized and certified, and offering skills development
opportunities for out-of-school youth and those not in employment, education or training (NEET).

Experts have declared that during this Decade of Action for the 2030 Agenda, the full engagement of young people in global processes is vital to generate positive change and innovation.

The celebrations of World Youth Skills Day 2022 highlighted the ongoing focus on the Transforming Education Summit (September 2022), and contributed to the work being done under its Thematic Action Track “Learning and skills for life, work, and sustainable development”. The summit is a youth-inspired global event of major importance for the future of millions of young people; it is prepared by, with and for youth.

The “Transforming youth skills for the future” global event was co-organized by the Permanent Missions of Portugal and Sri Lanka to the United Nations, together with UNESCO, ILO and the Office of the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth. It brought together youth, governments, UN agencies, private sector and civil society representatives to analyse the impact of current crises on youth
across the world, and discussed how young people can quickly adapt to the demands of an ever-changing world.

Moreover, organisers state, the growing youth population, rising unemployment in many countries, changes in the labour market and in our economy due to technological developments are just some of the reasons why we must provide future generations with the entrepreneurial skills and mindsets they need to cope with a changing world.

And to help technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions form the entrepreneurial values that are important for young people’s lives, economic development and a sustainable society, UNESCO–UNEVOC has developed a practical guide on how to introduce
entrepreneurial learning where it is lacking, and how to mainstream it in vocational training.

To the question of: What role do technical and vocational education and training play? The overwhelming response from experts and industry leaders is that, education and training are central to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda.

And the vision of the Incheon Declaration: Education 2030 is fully captured by Sustainable Development Goal 4 “Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning
opportunities for all”.

They add that, Education 2030 devotes considerable attention to technical and vocational skills development, specifically regarding access to affordable quality Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET); the acquisition of technical and vocational skills for employment, decent work and entrepreneurship; the elimination of gender disparity and ensuring access for the vulnerable.

In this context, TVET is expected to address the multiple demands of an economic, social and environmental nature by helping youth and adults develop the skills they need for employment, decent work and entrepreneurship, promoting equitable, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, and supporting transitions to green economies and environmental sustainability, the experts emphasize.

YOUTH EMPOWERMENT

KFC Africa & Serge Ibaka to Empower Youth through Basketball & investing in Africa’s community courts

By Thandisizwe Mgudlwa

Pan African Visions

The average age in Africa is 19 and sport, specifically basketball, is a passion point for more than 100 million fans across the continent. In recent years we have seen the number of African players rising on the international circuit, providing inspiration and impetus for many young people dreaming of becoming the next global basketball all-star, so says Emmanuel Kasambala, KFC Marketing Director, Rest of Sub-Saharan Africa.

“For us it’s about developing our home continent’s youth – giving them the facilities and safe spaces to use their talents and grow their skills. It is for this reason that we are refurbishing and building
basketball courts within communities in key markets.”

KFC Africa, the most loved fast-food brand in 23 markets across the continent, is partnering with Serge Ibaka, of the Milwaukee Bucks, to enable and uplift the continent’s youth and communities, whilst growing grass-roots basketball.

Following on from KFC Africa’s announcement about its partnership with NBA Africa, the brand has even bigger plans for the game.

The first of these basketball courts was recently built and donated in Kenya, as a result of a partnership between KFC and the Jonathan Jackson Foundation (JJF).

Moreover, this was initiated under the Bakee Mtaani (‘basketball in the hood’) initiative, at the Humama Public Grounds in Kayole Community, and also sees youth within the community benefitting from basketball equipment and coaching programmes at the new court.

In addition to this, a significantly positive spin-off was that the construction of the court resulted in jobs for more than 50 skilled and unskilled youths.

And with regards to the courts initiative specifically, this is just the beginning – ambitious plans are underway for another 11 courts in Kenya in coming months, as well as additional projects in other
markets including Botswana, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal and Tanzania among others.

“We are also extremely excited about our epic collab with Serge Ibaka – an African basketball legend – to further highlight the strength and potential of the game. It goes without saying that Serge is a true inspiration to our youth, and by joining forces, we accelerate growth and development for the stars of the future.”

Born in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo, Serge is a three-time NBA All-Defensive First Team selection and has twice led the league in blocks. In 2019, he won his first NBA championship as a key member of the Toronto Raptors.

Adding to these impressive basketball credentials, Serge is also personally invested in uplifting and developing the youth, through his own Serge Ibaka Foundation, that focuses on issues of children’s
health and education, and the Serge Ibaka Dreams Academy, that focuses on giving back through basketball.

In adding his perspective, Serge Ibaka says, “The talent that Africa is producing is just amazing and my goal is to inspire them and to contribute to ensure that the next generation is given every
opportunity to shine in the game I love. I am very proud to be able to partner with KFC Africa to give more back to my home continent. Having basketball courts in their local communities, close to young players, is a huge advantage in helping them to develop their basketball and life skills.”

KFC Africa believes in fueling the passion-points of the young, and young at heart, by connecting at the touch-points that mean something across its markets.

Kasambala concluded, “With Serge being such an icon in the game, it made perfect sense for us to take up the opportunity to partner with him to bring our brand’s support of basketball to life. Additionally, it is through initiatives like this that KFC Africa aims to see more young players from Africa level up both on and off the court, whilst creating a lasting legacy for generations to come.”

INSIDE STUFF 4 YOUTH

NBA Africa and Royal Bafokeng Nation Expand Long-Term Youth Development Partnership in South Africa

6 months ago TOPAFRICANEWS

NBA Africa and the Royal Bafokeng Nation, through its sports development arm Royal Bafokeng Sports (RBS), announced an expansion of their youth development partnership

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, March 24, 2022/ — 12th year of Royal Bafokeng jr. NBA (www.NBA.com) programme will reach more than 20,000 boys and girls from 44 schools across the Royal Bafokeng Nation and Greater Rustenburg region; Programme has reached more than 100,000 youth since 2011 through basketball development and youth engagement initiatives. NBA Africa and the Royal Bafokeng Nation, through its sports development arm Royal Bafokeng Sports (RBS), today announced an expansion of their long-term youth development partnership.  The expanded partnership will see the 12th year of the Royal Bafokeng Jr. NBA Programme reach more than 20,000 boys and girls from 44 schools across the Royal Bafokeng Nation and Greater Rustenburg Region in South Africa. The Royal Bafokeng Jr. NBA Programme, which launched in 2011 with 36 boys and girls teams from 18 middle and high schools across all five regions of the Royal Bafokeng Nation, has reached more than 100,000 youth over the past 12 years through basketball development and youth engagement initiatives.  The programme features a youth basketball league for boys and girls in primary and high schools, elite development camps for the top 50 boys and girls in the programme, monthly clinics and camps, coaching clinics and certification programmes, and basketball court refurbishments. “Basketball has been much more than a sport among the Bafokeng youth,” said Kgosi Leruo Molotlegi, the 36th king of the Royal Bafokeng Nation.  “Through the support of the NBA and RBS, the programme has helped develop and inspire top athletes and coaching staffs, create educational opportunities, and grow the sport not only for the RBN community, but across the continent.  The RBN welcomes the continued partnership and success with the NBA.” “Launched more than 10 years ago, the Royal Bafokeng Jr. NBA Programme was the NBA’s first youth development programme on the continent,” said NBA Africa CEO Victor Williams.  “We are excited to expand our partnership with RBS and look forward to continuing to use the transformative power of basketball to inspire more boys and girls in the North West Province in the years to come.” The Royal Bafokeng Jr. NBA Programme is the league’s largest Jr. NBA programme in Africa and has achieved a number of milestones since its launch in 2011.  More than 120 youth and 15 coaches from the programme have represented the North West Province in national tournaments.  Six girls and two boys went on to represent South Africa in international tournaments at the youth and senior levels, and two girls and two coaches participated in the Jr. NBA Global Championships in Orlando, Fla., in 2018 and 2019.  In addition, more than 100 former participants have gone on to study at universities and colleges in South Africa, with two alumni receiving full scholarships to high schools and universities in the United States. In August 2017, the programme hosted the first Jr. NBA Africa Festival, which featured Jr. NBA teams from Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa and Zimbabwe competing against one another and participating in life-skills programming in the lead-up to the NBA Africa Game 2017.  That same year, the programme was recognised with the Development Programme of the Year Award at the Sport Industry Awards in South Africa. The Royal Bafokeng Nation has an ambitious and aggressive strategy over the next few years to place sports, education, and elite sporting academies at the forefront of the Nation’s vision of diversification, sustainability and social cohesion, which the NBA and RBS play a critical role in delivering. The NBA has a long history in Africa and opened its African headquarters in Johannesburg in 2010.  Since then, the league’s efforts on the continent have focused on increasing access to basketball and the NBA through social responsibility, grassroots and elite development, media distribution, corporate partnerships, NBA Africa Games, the launch of the Basketball Africa League (BAL), and more.  The BAL’s second season tipped off earlier this month in Dakar, Senegal.  South Africa’s Cape Town Tigers will make their BAL debut during the league’s Nile Conference group phase at Hassan Mostafa Indoor Sports Complex in Cairo, Egypt, from April 9-19.

YOUTH STUFF

Jobs for Youth in Africa Strategy will equip 50 million with employable skills

By THANDISIZWE MGUDLWA

-NEWS GHANA

July 16, 2022

Digital Ambassadors

African Development Bank’s Coding for Employment Program Selects 500 Digital Ambassadors to Lead Peer-to-Peer Training Model

The Digital Ambassadors Program has come at the right time when the Bank is putting finishing touches to the Skills for Employability and Productivity in Africa Action Plan 2022–2025, says Martha Phiri, the AfDB’s Director for Human Capital, Youth and Skills Development.

She added, the Action Plan will equip African youth with the skills that are in high demand; skills the labour market requires. Both will complement each other and will create positive impact on Africa’s workforce and lead to economic transformation,” stated Phiri.

The African Development Bank’s Coding for Employment program has selected 500 changemakers, AT least 45% of whom are women, from four countries for the pilot Digital Ambassadors Program.

The selected Digital Ambassadors will embark on a three-month course during which they will be equipped with in-demand digital skills, such as software development, as well as soft skills, such as problem solving, project management and communication.

They will then lead a peer-to-peer training model that seeks to expand digital skills to more African youth, especially in rural communities with limited internet connectivity.

The Bank and its technical partner, Microsoft, selected the Digital Ambassadors from more than 21,000 applications received from all over Africa.

For this first edition, the 500 Digital Ambassadors were selected from four countries where the Coding for Employment program is operational, namely Côte d’Ivoire (75), Kenya (100), Nigeria (150) and Senegal (175).

Photo By Afdb

Moreover, after graduation, the Digital Ambassadors will receive information and communication technology toolkits from the Bank and Microsoft so they can offer the same training within their local communities.

The Bank launched the Coding for Employment in 2018 to equip African youth with demand-driven information and communication technology skills to position them competitively for the global labour market.

The program has established information and communication technology centers with partner universities across its countries of operation and provided digital skills training to over 150,000 youth, including 135,000 reached through the Coding for Employment eLearning platform and the Digital Nigeria platform.

The Coding for Employment Program is at the center of the AfDB’s Jobs for Youth in Africa Strategy, which aims to propel Africa’s youth onto a path to prosperity.

By 2025, the Jobs for Youth in Africa Strategy will equip 50 million youth with employable skills and create 25 million jobs in agriculture, information and communication technology and other key industries across Africa.

“We are delighted by the enthusiasm and the passion the candidates have shown for the program. We have sifted through all the applications to identify candidates whose background and qualifications closely match the selection criteria. The 500 candidates will not only acquire skills that can help them find work but will also be able to create their own jobs while also training others,” said Hendrina Doroba, the Bank’s Manager for Education and Skills Development.

Carelle Laetitia, one of the Digital Ambassadors, commented, “When I received the selection email, I felt happy and above all proud. I know it was not easy to be selected among hundreds of talented youths. I hope to build a strong network and acquire solid digital skills in order to share them with my community.”

Over the years, the AfDB has invested $1.64 billion in programs to prepare the youth for careers in science, technology and innovation.

The Digital Ambassadors Program is aligned to the Skills for Employability and Productivity in Africa, and both tie in with one of the Bank’s five priorities—improving the quality of life for the people of Africa.

YOUTH LEADERSHIP

AUC Chair Calls On Youth To Drive Change In Their Communities

THANDISIZWE MGUDLWA l Thursday, August 18, 2022

 Starconnect Media

 

CAPE TOWN, South Africa – In joining hands with the youth in celebration of International Youth Day, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat declared,  “I encourage all Youth to keep advocating, championing and driving change in their communities as we journey towards achieving the Africa We Want”.

In commemoration of International Youth Day, this week the Office of the African Union Chairperson’s Youth Envoy, hosted an academic webinar with The Africa Center for Strategic Studies and The African Union’s Youth4Peace Africa Program.

The AU noted that the academic webinar was aimed at assessing the magnitude and scope of security risks and opportunities associated with the youth bulge in Africa and discussing the role of youth in promoting security and peace.

Over 500 participants drawn from 68 countries and across sectors including the private sector, military, civil society, government ministries and youth groups had registered for the webinar which was held under International Youth Day theme ‘Building Intergenerational Solidarity.’

Moreover, the AUC Chairperson’s Envoy on Youth, Chido Mpemba in giving remarks alluded to the need to demystify the security sector for young people and to create pathways for young people to dialogue and contribute towards peace building.

“Young people are a useful resource that must be meaningfully included in peace and security decisions, policy frameworks and accountability mechanisms. They are part of the solution to combat the security challenges and must be rightfully given the voice”, said Mpemba.

Furthermore, the Academic Webinar was opened by Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, Commissioner for The African Union Political Affairs Peace and Security, who gave his assurance to young people and spoke on the commitments of the Peace and Security Council to create pathways for continuous engagement with the youth, as well as some of the commitments made by the African Union through the implementation of mechanisms such as the continental framework on Youth, Peace and Security affirming the roles and responsibilities that the youth play in conflicts, acknowledging protection efforts and promoting their contributions towards peace efforts.

According to the AU, the Academic webinar will build on a series to highlight some of the African Union Continental frameworks, providing a platform for engagement, peer learning and sharing.

TAGGED: AU, Youth for change

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

Uganda joins vision of reaching 300 million young people by 2030 under the 1 Million Next Level Initiative

 

By THANDISIZWE MGUDLWA

-NEWS GHANA

July 19, 2022

Photo By African Union

Unpacking volunteerism as a pathway to employability

UGANDAN President Yoweri Museveni has become the latest leader to commit his country to reaching over 1 million young people in Uganda annually with opportunities to accelerate the African Union Commission’s vision of reaching 300 million young people by 2030 under the 1 Million Next Level initiative.

Authorities this week noted that this pledge has set a great pace and tone for many Heads of State to join this commitment.

“Youth development is at the heart of the Government of Uganda. I would like to state that, we will work with all the relevant sectors to upscale youth development and empower 1 million young people annually as a step and our commitment towards the AUC’s 1 Million Next Level initiative”.

Museveni said in his statement at the high-level opening ceremony during the 3rd African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Youth Consultation Symposium which took place in Kampala, Uganda from 5th to 9th July 2022.

The symposium convened over 800 young people from across the continent to discuss the role of youth in the implementation of the Africa Union’s Agenda 2063, and related national aspirations, while enhancing the implementation of the objectives of the South-South triangular cooperation.

The 1 Million Next Level Initiative is a continental programme and a successor of the 1 Million by 2021. It falls within the African Union Youth Charter article 11 which called for equal participation of young people in all spheres and a contributor to the achievement of the Agenda 2063 especially Aspiration 6: “An Africa Whose Development is people driven, relying on the potential offered by African People, especially its Women and Youth, and caring for Children”.

The goal of the 1million Next Level is to reach over 300 million African youth with opportunities along the 5 priority areas of impact, namely; Education, Employment, Entrepreneurship, Engagement and Health and Wellbeing (4Es and H) as targeted efforts to unleash the potential of youth across the continent.

According to the Acting Director of the Women, Gender and Youth Directorate at the AUC, Prudence Ngwenya, the President’s pledge is an unprecedented one and a good step towards positively impacting the lives of Africa’s youth.

“The African Union will continue to work with the Government of Uganda in ensuring that young people are empowered and ignited for change. Young people are brilliant, creative and innovative, and these are the catalytic skills the continent requires to fully unleash the potential of Africa’s youth”, She said in her remarks during the 3rd African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Youth Consultation Symposium.

Moreover, the APRM prioritized youth mainstreaming as a critical element for building prosperous, secure, and self-sustaining African economies.

And the 3rd APRM Youth Symposium was therefore a successful platform for youth-tailored conversations on governance, developing Africa.

On the sideline of the symposium, the AU, through the Women and Youth Directorate hosted several sessions to empower and engage the Youth in governance and development processes.

These were themed across the 4Es and H of the 1 Million Next Level Initiative and included;

An intergenerational dialogue titled “Leveraging the 1 Million Next Level Initiative to unleash the potential of Youth”;

A youth consultation on transforming education in Africa;

A youth engagement session on amplifying the Bingwa Initiative;

An Egumeni Session addressing violence against women and girls which was titled; “You Are Not Alone: Flattening the Curve of the Shadow Pandemic”;

A youth validation session on the AU Women and Youth Financial and Economic Inclusion (WYFEI) 2030 Strategy; A session unpacking volunteerism as a pathway to employability.

ECOSOCC, AUC, ILO &100 Million Campaign Improving Condition Of The African Child

African News Liberia Society Liberian News Uncategorised

NEWS PUBLIC TRUST

THANDISIZWE MGUDLWA

June 24, 2022

8 2 minutes read

(Last Updated On: June 24, 2022)

CAPE TOWN- CHILDREN deserve the best care, support, protection, love and attention that all countries must commit to bring about.

The100 Million Campaign is a global campaign to mobilise 100 million youths to devote themselves for a better future for 100 million marginalised children who have been denied their rights and liberty.

Since its launch in 2016, youth, civil society organisations, trade unions, schools and universities from more than 36 countries have joined this campaign, and are working together to protect the rights
of children of their respective countries.

And this is the reason that the African Union Economic, Social, and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC) have joined forces with the African Union Commission (AUC), International Labour Organization (ILO) and 100
Million Campaign to advocate for and raise awareness on the promotion and protection of the rights and welfare of children in Africa, with the specific goal of ultimately putting an end to child labour in
Africa.

The partnership was formed in preparation for the 5th Global Conference (V Conference) on Child Labour which was held in Durban, South Africa, from 15 – 20 May 2022.

The Vth Conference convened governments, leaders, and civil society organisations (CSOs) to speak with one voice and act collectively to ensure that the voices and demands of children and young people who
have experienced the injustices of child labour are echoed and heard across the continent.

To commemorate the World Day Against Child Labour and International Day of the African Child, ECOSOCC teamed up with ECOSOCC member CSOs and the 100 Million Campaign to tell the stories of child labour survivors through recorded testimonies.

On June 12, ECOSOCC, its members and the partners launched a week-long social media awareness campaign, posting a visual testimony from a child labour survivor every day to share their stories and call for action from both the African and international communities to end child labour.

The social media campaign sought to promote children’s rights in Africa and around the world, in line with the African Union’s efforts to promote and protect the rights and welfare of children in Africa in accordance with Aspiration 6 of Agenda 2063 which envisages an “Africa whose development is people-driven, relying on the potential of African people, especially its women and youth, and caring for children.”

The collaboration of ECOSOCC, AUC ILO, and the 100 Million Campaign demonstrates a paradigm shift within the African community, particularly among civil society, in their efforts to shed more light on the living realities of children and youth, as well as the complexities of the labour market.

The campaign also presents an opportunity for all relevant stakeholders, including member states and policy makers at all levels to accelerate their efforts to end child labour and secure the rights of children in Africa.

ECOSOCC was established in July 2004 as an Advisory Organ composed of different social and professional groups of AU Member States.

The mandate of ECOSOCC is to contribute, through advice, to the effective translation of the objectives, principles and policies of the African Union into concrete programmes, as well as the evaluation of these programmes.