Xinhua, Cape Town :
The role of youth took center stage at the ongoing World Economic Forum on Africa (WEF Africa) yesterday amid calls for Africa to empower the young generation so as to move the continent forward.
For Africa to move forward, countries should empower young people and involve them in decision-making today, South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma said at the opening session of the WEF Africa.
Integrating young people into the policy and decision-making processes today is essential to securing Africa’s future, the president told business, government and civil society leaders attending the meeting.
“It needs all of us to come together to ensure that we have very clear programs that give the youth a role to play, but they must also be empowered. The days are gone when you could say that only old people can lead. I don’t think we can create a gap between today and the future with regard to the participation of the youth. Youth participation must be visible and effective,” he said.
This means a focus on education, Zuma stressed, saying, “We should prepare people now. They should be employed and we should create opportunities for them.”
The role of youth took center stage at the ongoing World Economic Forum on Africa (WEF Africa) yesterday amid calls for Africa to empower the young generation so as to move the continent forward.
For Africa to move forward, countries should empower young people and involve them in decision-making today, South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma said at the opening session of the WEF Africa.
Integrating young people into the policy and decision-making processes today is essential to securing Africa’s future, the president told business, government and civil society leaders attending the meeting.
“It needs all of us to come together to ensure that we have very clear programs that give the youth a role to play, but they must also be empowered. The days are gone when you could say that only old people can lead. I don’t think we can create a gap between today and the future with regard to the participation of the youth. Youth participation must be visible and effective,” he said.
This means a focus on education, Zuma stressed, saying, “We should prepare people now. They should be employed and we should create opportunities for them.”
