The 2^nd edition of the 2063 Academy by Atlas For Development brought together enthusiastic, skilled and passionate African youth for the initiative’s first phase from 23 – 28 November. For six days it provided them with a space for debate and reflection around inclusive and sustainable development to promote the Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want; and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) launched by the African Union. The 2063 Academy scheduled a bunch of important and useful sessions and workshops assisted by numerous qualified facilitators.:

Day 1: Introduction to the 2063 Agenda, an overview on the challenges and opportunities in the African Region (Discussion), meet our African Union Youth Envoy (Discussion); Mohammed 6 Polytechnic University (Workshop);

Day 2: Climate change and the future of our region (Discussion), gender equality: what’s the status quo? (Discussion); meet Peace First;

Day 3: The African youth we want (Discussion), managing successful initiatives in the COVID-19 context (Workshop), donors and retention, academic development for career success in the 21st century (Workshop);

Day 4: collective and emotional intelligence (Workshop), staying safe on Facebook (Workshop), improve your creativity through fun and creative initiatives (Workshop);

Day 5: How is the African Union functioning? (Discussion), using social media for online advocacy (workshop), get inspired and meet young change makers (Discussion), how to become an excellent advocate? (Workshop);

Day 6: Erasmus+ and intra-Africa scholarships opportunities (Workshop), Africa-Europe: from COVID-19 to recovery (Workshop), final draft of recommendations, closing the Academy.

A number of high-ranking African personalities were hosted by the 2063 Academy discussion sessions as panellists. The most prominent person was the AU Youth Envoy Ms. Aya Chebbi who shared her experience as AU Special Envoy on Youth and how she managed to reach this position. She also shared her perspective for a better Africa and some inspiring words to African youth for becoming an essential part of African decision making and governance.

The group number 3 of the 2063 Academy represented Algeria with 4 members: Farouk Kouider Moussaoui (ASAF), Hassiba Hamzi, Marwa Tarfa and Zita Ngagoum Ndalloka, participated actively in the scheduled sessions of the Academy, especially regarding the topic climate change, for it is the topic of its project. This group came to express optimistic views towards effective actions in the future to protect the environment and to overcome the climate change threats over the continent.

Another ASAF member, Ando Harilalao Rakotomamonjy, was also part of the group climate change of her respective country group, Madagascar. More precisely, she was part of the group’s department of Agriculture and Rural Economy during the official debate. There, participants discussed “THE MANAGEMENT OF WATER RESOURCES IN THE ERA OF GLOBAL AND CONTINENTAL WATER CRISES”. The final assignment was to find the resolution paper regarding the issue of water crisis in Africa. This formal debate was part of the assignment and during the final evaluation, our member Ando even was honored to be awarded (2nd place) by the jury and the 2 co-chairs.

Thanks to its members, ASAF was successfully introduced to all participants of this edition of the 2063 Academy, namely on Day 6 during the workshop: "Youth opportunity: Erasmus Plus and Intra-Africa scholarship Opportunities". Our three ASAF members Houmayrah Jeeawody (Mauritius), Yenesew Alene Belew (Ethiopia) and Paul Ndubuisi Anyiam (Nigeria) were invited to take over the role as speakers in this session and to share their experiences regarding their student mobility. Farouk, the representative of group 3 (Algeria) also had his statement in which he emphasized that Africa needs ASAF and ASAF needs African youth to foster development goals.

Regarding the topic climate change, David Michael mentioned: “It is a huge opportunity for Africa for it provides an opportunity to develop more sustainability”. Nisreen Elsaim went further into clarification of how Africa should act to bring change and achieve the SDGs. She said: “We should not wait for the Western countries. We should invest our skills, shape and reshape the knowledge we already possess. We should knock on every door either it is big or small, or even a window”.

The 2063 Academy was a great opportunity for all young Africans and ASAF members to come together and meet for exchange and address the current challenges of our common interest. Thus, African youth have practically expanded their social networks, soft skills, knowledge and aspirations. This is what our Africa needs, to keep dialogue among its generations open and active.

Taking part in this first phase of the 2063 Academy will be a great stimulation for well continuing with the second phase of the Academy in December “Peace First Mentorship”. The third - and final - phase which is devoted to the projects’ implementation: “Let’s Shake Things Up” will start straight ahead after receiving the support of a grant (January-March 2021).

For more information on the 2063 Academy, click here.
 

ALGERIA, Khemis-Miliana / MADAGASCAR, Antananarivo
30 November 2020
Edited by Service Provider