The Future: April 2010

Friday, April 30, 2010

Opportunity to participate in the Rework the World 5th Global Youth Employment Summit

Dear Young Visioners and Proffessionals,

Greetings from Stockholm,

I am accepting recommendations from young innovative entrepreneurs in Africa to participate in the 5th Global YES Summit in Leksand, Sweden, June 2-5, 2010. Coming from 100 countries, we will have 2,000 people - entrepreneurs, investors, civic and business leaders, policy-makers and change-makers - with a common ambition to "Rework The World."

We all know the problems facing our world - the challenges that compel us to rethink and rework what we do on this planet. Now we all need to know about your solutions, your visions, ideas, plans and projects that get to the real work of change. Work that makes a difference. Jobs with meaning, for men and women, young and old. Sustainable livelihood, everywhere. That's why I need some quick response to this opportunity.

The selected youth will Bring their insights, their ideas, their experiences and their passion. Expect to get connected, inspired and re-energized to take on the tasks ahead for them - and for all of us.

We would like to extend some sponsorships opportunities to a few Young people representing positive and promising youth led initiatives and organizations in Africa.

Kindly send me short bio before COB Monday 3rd May 2010 so that we can have confirmations and official invitation as soon as it is practical within the week. MUST Be Young below 35, Must be leading a positive change in a community, Must be have a valid passport, must be ready to join a network of change agents in creating sustainable jobs in Africa.

Welcome to join us Rework the World!

Looking forward to your quick response,

Emmanuel Dennis
--
REWORK THE WORLD
www.reworktheworld.org

Adopt a change maker ...and be a part of the 5th Global YES Summit - Rework The World

..........
Emmanuel Dennis Ngongo
Tallberg Foundation
Blassieholmstorg 8, S-111 48
Stockholm, Sweden
Cell: +46706048398
http://emmanuel-ed.blogspot.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Emmanueldennis
www.yesweb.org

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Africa’s youth are major drivers in bid to attain African Union vision

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, April 13, 2010/African Press Organization (APO)/ —

A three day meeting of experts of the African Union is underway in the resort town of Victoria Falls, in preparation for the Third Ordinary Session of the African Union Ministers in Charge of Youth (COMY III), to be held from 15- 16 April. The African Union Youth Charter identifies a youth as a "person between the ages of 15 and 35″.

The experts meeting is an opportunity for the Member States delegates to consider, among other programs, the African Union Plan of Action (POA) to support the Decade for Youth development in Africa and the African Union proposal to establish and implement the African Union Youth Volunteers Corps. 2009 – 2018 was declared as the Decade for Youth Development in Africa by the 12th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government in February 2009. The decade is an opportunity to sustain political commitment to youth development and empowerment.

Proposals made by the experts will be put forward for consideration and/ or adoption by the ministerial meeting. If the POA is adopted by the Ministers at the end of their meeting on Friday 16th April, the 53 Member States of the AU would then be expected to incorporate it into their own national plans and strategies. This will ensure that youth development across the continent is in line with the strategic objectives of the African Union, as defined by the Assembly of Heads of State and government, the highest decision making body on the continent.

In addition to discussing the documents being tabled by the AU, the ongoing experts meeting is also providing an opportunity for Member States to learn from each other and share experiences. It is serving as a forum to provide targets on youth development which will assist Member States to use research as the basis for youth development programming and planning, thereby ensuring that the same standards, targets and measurement of progress, more or less, are observed across the continent.

The Plan of Action being considered by the experts recognizes the critical role that can be played by the youth in achieving the AU vision of "an Africa integrated, prosperous and peaceful, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena". Vital statistics and information presented in the POA will enable the experts to make considered decisions, before they present their recommendations to the ministers.

Speakers at the opening session of the experts meeting today described the youth as the "engine for Africa's development". This is borne out in the POA which clearly states that "in 2025, the young people of today will be the main drivers of African economies". This is so for a number of reasons: numerically the youth form a large part of Africa's population i.e. 34.3% of the population of Sub Saharan Africa in 2007; the young people of today are the best educated in human history; and gender gaps are steadily closing. The social advantages provided by the youth include greater degree of mobility, versatility, dynamism and adaptability. Youth are also known to be more creative and innovative than adult populations, and take the lead in several areas of development, such as in community development, IT, HIV/AIDS, life skills, education and campaigns.

However, as the experts consider the action plan, they will also have to take into account the challenges that the youth face, and adopt an implementation plan designed to ensure coordinated youth development across Africa by 2018, when the Decade for Youth Development will officially come to an end.

One of these challenges is poverty. 72% of the youth population in Sub Saharan Africa lives on less that $2 a day, caused basically by poor education and lack of skills. Other challenges include exploitation of the youth as they migrate in search of better livelihoods; unemployment; HIV/AIDS; unintended pregnancies and unsafe abortions; maternal mortality; different forms of abuse, exploitation by different regimes as perpetrators of violence or conflict; and exclusion from governance structures.

After considering the various opportunities offered by the youth population bulge and the challenges that constrain young people from effectively contributing to the AU vision as well as the proposals for action put forward by the AU, the experts will consider the proposed implementation matrix for the POA, whose timeline runs from 2010 until 2018.

During the experts meeting, the African Union is also putting forward, for consideration, its African Union Youth Volunteerism continental strategy (AUYVC). Youth volunteerism is defined as the services of skilled workers between the ages of 18- 35, supported to provide volunteer opportunities to build their capacity through public sector projects, organisations and/ or in a special service community activity.

The AU also took the opportunity to urge Member States attending the experts meeting to ensure that they ratify the African Youth Charter and that, beyond ratification, and more importantly, that they implement the provisions of the Charter. To date, 19 Members have ratified, 11 are still at the signing stage and 16 have not yet signed. AU Director for Human resources, Science and Technology Mrs. Vera Brenda Ngosi, said "Ratification is one thing and its good but ratification without implementation of the ideals of the charter is like having a good strategy on paper but without action. It is like a nice dream that is never realized".

Further discussions by the three day experts meeting will focus on preparations for the Mexico 2010 World Youth Conference and the necessity for Africa to prepare a common position on priorities for youth development for the African region.

Other speakers to address the opening session of the experts meeting today were Mr Itai Muguza, Director in the Ministry of Youth Development, Indigenisation and Empowerment in Zimbabwe and Mr. Magoot, the expert of the Ministry in harge of Youth in Libya who is also the outgoing Chair of COMY II.

Source: African Union Commission (AUC)

--
REWORK THE WORLD
www.reworktheworld.org

Adopt a changemaker ...and be a part of the 5th Global YES Summit - Rework The World

..........
Emmanuel Dennis Ngongo
P.O. Box 8799 - 00200
Nairobi Kenya
Cell: +254 722619005
http://emmanuel-ed.blogspot.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Emmanueldennis
www.yesweb.org

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Spotlight: This Summer's TÃ¤llberg Foundation/Yes Inc Event

Dear Good People,

This year the Tällberg Forum will be integrated in the 5th global YES Summit - Rework the worldon June 2nd to 5th, 2010 in Leksand, Sweden.

This year, we are gathering one hundred initiatives that seek to Rework the World. We believe they hold answers to the triple challenge of unemployment, financial overstretch and the sustainability imperative. We want you to join in the effort and help turn these emerging efforts into transformative forces of change!

The efforts are loosely grouped into five areas around which new business systems must emerge: Energy, Water, Land, Cities and People. Find below a few samples of the Energy projects which we will work to take to the next level during the global Summit.

Extinguishing a million kerosene lights, Kenya

Emmanuel Dennis presented in 2009 his vision to extinguish 1 million kerosene lights in Africa, through large scale mobilisation of youth networks in East Africa. He has since been working in partnership with Solar Aid, D.light Design and the IFC Lighting Africa Initiative to set up educational facilities for installation and distribution of solar based technology. Three pilots are now in progress. The vision is alive and kicking! The question that remains to be solved is how to structure investment opportunities, create credit and training facilities so as to reach significant scale and long-term financial viability. This will be the focus of the workshop at the summit.

Installing 50 000 efficient stoves, Umbarare, Uganda

Rustom Masalawala at the Millenium Promise is jointly with the Tällberg Foundation preparing the significant up-scaling of the distribution of efficient stoves in Umbarare district Uganda. The first 1500 stoves were instantly sold out. A next disbursement of 5000 stoves is planned, with financing structured with one third through the retail price and two thirds through the sale of carbon credits. The aim is to go to 50 000 stoves in the next phase, and gradually add a supply chain of eco charcoal to the system. Here the effort will be informed by the ambitions of Joint Environmental Techniques, who are working on ecocharcoal supply chains in nearby Kenya. The overall aim is to prove a new business system for integrated energy services, financed through the carbon markets, and with significant employment potential and dramatic climate and health benefits. Once proven, the aim is to export the business concepts across Africa. The focus of the workshop at the summit, will be to charter out the next step on a potentially transformative journey.

Engaging one 1 million women in green services, Gujerat, India

Reema Navatny at SEWA is pushing Centres for Green Livelihoods across Gujerat that will equip and train thousands of women to employ efficient stoves, solar lights and biogas equipment. The aim is to reach households, with the potential employment impact and massive climate benefits. SEWA is building on its Ghandian heritage to create self-sufficient and cellular structures that can be replicated and self-sustainable. The effort is part of SEWA's vision to extend its membership from 1,2 million members to 2,5 million members in five years. This effort, which promises a massive new market for products and services, requires new global financing facilities, business systems and support structures. How to make this dramatic move will be the focus of the workshop at the summit.

For the full list of initiatives and workshops at the summit please enter here.

The overriding aim is to unite these islands of efforts into the business systems of tomorrow - which raises crucial strategic questions for business, government and civil society.

We want you to be there to help shape the answers and new opportunities!

Carl Mossfeldt

The Energy theme is generously sponsored by Statkraft, with a strong ambition in the field of alternative energy systems.

Visit Falun/Borlange AB is a partner to the Tällberg Foundation and is responsible for accommodation, transports, payments and web registration for the YES Summit.

Welcome!

With kind regards,

Carl Mossfeldt

Project Leader, Rework the World

The Tallberg Foundation

You may also be interested in more information:

The day-by-day summit program

The investment panel

The policy roundtable

The community space

A partnership between Tallberg Foundation & YES Inc

The 5th Global YES Summit-Rework The World is a joint initiative of YES Inc, with its youth led networks in fifty-five developing countries, the Tallberg Foundation, with its high level global network of decision makers and LSU, the Swedish National Association of Youth Organisations (LSU). The Summit is funded by contributions from Svenska Postkodlotteriet, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Sweden and many other partners.

The activities of the Tallberg Foundation have only be realized through the generous support of many public and private institutions and companies.

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Sunday, April 11, 2010

Of Self Seeking Leaders and the Politics of the Stomach

Friends---

When the intrigues in Parliament were happening on the Draft Constitution, it also struck me afterwards to see what the members of the clergy had resolved. I being a Christian, I was very surprised to note that these folks had not consulted me to make their stance on the draft constitution. I was very angry because, they also said that they were making that choice this time round because the country blamed them for not making a choice when Kenya was burning in 2007. They decided to bury their heads in the sand and completely refused to tell the countrymen to stop fighting and killing themselves. They have subsequently stopped to encourage the country to reconcile and have now resolved to political gerrymandering and unyielding busy talk.

At some point I said that if majority of the Kenyan Youth wanted a new constitution and their clergy were preaching the NO song, then what business do we have going to church when we can't get leadership from the church. We should diss our churches because our clergy are not any better than we are. They failed us in 2007 and they are failing us now as we head towards the referendum. If that is their position We have to fail them and show them that they no longer have influence over us.

In fact I have completely stopped listening to Church Leaders and Politicians. I am now talking directly to the people and asking them to also ignore these so called extreme leaders who are self seekers. I was also told the story of a church leader who was on a pay slip of a certain influential politician. Bot the NO Campaign was about maintaining status quo. Why would the church also want to maintain status quo? Because some powerful guy somewhere has put them in his pocket. They are no longer using their head and conscience to make their position on the draft; they are using their stomach and pockets.

It is now official, the church is wrong about Abortion; it is also extremely wrong about the Kadhi courts. Please do not listen to them.

On the flip side, we have the other guys who are also thinking that they will convince you and me to say NO. I was also thinking about these folks. One of them knows clearly well that his NO vote will go nowhere, but because of his difference of opinion with the PM and noting that he has nothing to lose from either a NO or a YES based on the positioning that he is destined to be a guest at the Hague, he has decided to mislead Kenyans do destroy any chances of us getting a new constitution since he wont be around to enjoy the environment of a new Kenya under a new constitutional dispensation.

We have to remind them that the constitution is not about them, it about all of us. Majority of Kenyans and especially those who have registered as voters are actually going to vote YES. The ones who have not registered do not care about political participation and are unlikely to vote at the referendum. This explains why we will get a resounding YES. But then again, when the so called MP's had a chance to change the provisions, they resulted in gimmicking tricks and failed to rise up to the occasion. The thing is, majority if not all the provisions as were recommended by them in Naivasha were included. What exactly do they want?

They are not passionate about you, your issues or your community. They are thinking about themselves and how they can keep status quo so that they continue swindling your money when they get to power. This struggle has been around for long and you should not allow any one of them to hoodwink this process to failure.

Give your vote today for democracy in Kenya.

Register as a voter and make that difference. Don't leave it to the politicians or the church leaders. This is your time to say what you want about our Laws by voting at the referendum. It is a vote of no confidence to all those who are opposed to what Kenyans want. As Desmond Tutu said "This is a a radical call for human beings to have an equal say"

Change is gona come….will you be part of it?

Emmanuel Dennis

Thursday, April 1, 2010

MP's Fail to Mutilate the Draft Constitution

Friends---

Finally, over 150 amendments that the Members of Parliament had so desperately wanted to sneak into the draft Constitution, could not see light of day after the theatrics, shenanigans and maverick moves on the floor of the house. The next couple of days are going to be mered with the same theater of tricks in the Constituencies in Rallies and other fora.

I am damn sure that we will see some of them saying that the draft should not see light of day.

I would like to urge all of us to make sure that we note such individuals and ask them to be rest assured that we want a new constitution and that opportunities still are available to make amendments in Parliament when Kenyans decide at the referendum.

As young people we need to take this as a historic moment and start leading civic engagements at community level. Let us not be cheated by self seeking MPs who do not understand the magnitude of rejecting the draft constitution. Some of the MPs are now scared that Ocampo will be coming for them and that they would want to use this occasion to cheat Kenyans to shut down the constitution. If they committed crime they should face the wrath of Moreno Ocampo, and that we want him to speed up the investigations so that at the quickest opportunity, we offer them a one way ticket to the Hague. Let us be wary of this rumor mongers who are using their position to spread lies.

We will continue to strongly urge the Ministry of Immigration to ensure that the Youth who do not have ID cards get them in a quicker manner to ensure that they secure voters cards to participate at the Referendum in June and subsequent elections later in two years time.

If Politicians did not use their opportunity to make amendments in Parliament, let them leave the Constitution to the People of Kenya to decide. This is our process and let us take cognizance of what History has to offer to our generation.

MP's Fail to Make their Mutilation on the Draft Constitution

Friends---

I am damn sure that we will see some of them saying that the draft should not see light of day.