Mars Group Kenya Updates: Muthaura, Kenyatta, Ali face 5 counts, while Ruto,Kosgey and Sang face 4 counts of criminal Charges of crimes against Humanity at the Hague – full details of the charges.

From: Mars Group Kenya <mails@marsgroupkenya.org>
Date: Thu, Dec 16, 2010 at 10:39 AM



Summary

Francis Kirimi Muthaura, Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta and Mohammed Hussein Ali face 5
counts of criminal Charges of crimes against Humanity at the Hague

CRIMES WITHIN THE JURISDICTION OF THE COURT WHICH MUTHAURA, KENYATTA AND ALI
HAVE COMMITTED PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 58(2) OF THE ROME STATUTE

                                            Francis Kirimi Muthaura
                                            Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta
                                            Mohammed Hussein Ali

                                                        Count 1
 Murder constituting a crime against humanity (Articles 7(1)(a) and 25(3)(a) or
(d) of the Rome Statute)

                                                       Count 2
Deportation or forcible transfer of population constituting a crime against
humanity (Articles 7(1)(d) and 25(3)(a) or (d) of the Rome Statute)

                                                       Count 3
Rape and other forms of sexual violence constituting a crime against humanity
(Articles 7(1)(g) and 25(3)(a) or (d) of the Rome Statute)

                                                       Count 4
Other inhumane acts constituting a crime against humanity (Articles 7(1)(k) and
25(3)(a) or (d) of the Rome Statute)

                                                       Count 5
Persecution as a crime against humanity (Articles 7(1)(h) and 25(3)(a) or (d) of
the Rome Statute)

Read Full details of Prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo's Application on Muthaura,
Kenyatta and Ali before the trial Chamber here:
http://blog.marsgroupkenya.org/?p=2556




William Samoei Ruto, Henry Kiprono Kosgey and Joshua Arap Sang face 4 counts of
criminal charges of crimes against Humanity at the Hague

CRIMES WITHIN THE JURISDICTION OF THE COURT WHICH MUTHAURA, KENYATTA AND ALI
HAVE COMMITTED PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 58(2) OF THE ROME STATUTE

                                         William Samoei Ruto,
                                         Henry Kiprono Kosgey
                                         Joshua Arap Sang


                                                       Count 1
Murder constituting a crime against humanity (Article 7(1)(a) and Article
25(3)(a) or (d) of the Rome Statute)

                                                      Count 2
Deportation or forcible transfer of population constituting a crime against
humanity (Article 7(1)(d) and Article 25(3)(a) or (d) of the Rome Statute)

                                                     Count 3
Torture constituting a crime against humanity (Article 7(1)(f) and Article
25(3)(a) or (d) of the Rome Statute)

                                                     Count 4
Persecution as a crime against humanity (Article 7(1)(h) and Article 25(3)(a) or
(d) of the Rome Statute)


Read Full details of Prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo's Application on Ruto,
Kosgey and Sang before the trial Chamber here:
http://blog.marsgroupkenya.org/?p=2550

Mars Group Kenya Updates: Kenya President attempts to repeal ICC Rome Statute after ICC names his key Government officials and ministers as suspects of crimes against humanity

From: Mars Group Kenya <mails@marsgroupkenya.org>

Date: Wed, Dec 15, 2010 at 6:16 PM

Kenya President attempts to repeal ICC Rome Statute after ICC names his key
Government officials and ministers as suspects of crimes against humanity

Mwai Kibaki – let Justice be done though the heavens fall.

Kenya must comply with the Rome Statute by cooperating with the ICC, and
cooperation extends to making arrests of the Masterminds behind the Post
Election Violence which killed 1,133 Kenyans and displaced over half-a-million
citizens in less than 60 days. We need to be clear to the unelected Grand
Coalition Government that there is no issue of choice here.

Reports in the Press today say that President Mwai Kibaki has attempted to give
comfort of office to the masterminds of murder, rape, arson and displacement of
kenyans after their public naming by the Chief Prosecutor of the International
Criminal court. That Mwai Kibaki could say - "stay put" is disturbing to say
the least. Kenyans are not idiots to be joked around with by war lord
politicians whose vision is one of greed and ruling by the sword. Kenya is a
Democracy, where the Rule of Law must prevail at all times.

The Kenya Government has taken Zero steps to establish a criminal Justice forum
for the post elections victims. The Kenya Government has no color of right to
interfer with the default option of the International Criminal Court that was
prescribed by the Presidents' own commission of inquiry into the Post election
violence. Mwai Kibaki accepted the Waki (CIPEV) report and now must live with it
or Mwai Kibaki must Stand Impeached as a defender of Impunity for Crimes against
Humanity, including rape, Murder, arson and forced displacements of his fellow
Citizens. Raila Odinga needs to make his own personal statement as Prime
Minister as to whether he agrees with President Mwai Kibaki's response to the
naming of the 6 mastermind suspects of crimes against humanity commited in
Kenya.

We wish to remind Mwai Kibaki that any attempts to derail the ICC will result in
a direct indictment against him as an individual who will bear the greatest
responsibility for his troops – in this case loose talking Members of
Parliament, including Cabinet Ministers and senior Government officials who
appear to making statements on his behalf.

85% of Kenyans according to National poll taken this week - want suspects of
these henious crimes taken to the Hague to face trial and justice. The Kenyans
who were polled knew that the 6 suspects were high ranking government officials
(and only one is a private citizen).  We certainly do not want them serving us
in any capacity.  Who do they speak to now? Whom do they purport to speak for?
Kibaki should take responsibility and sack Muthaura, Uhuru Kenyatta, Henry
Kosgei, and Major Ali as post Master General. Failing to act and continuing this
irresponsible behaviour can only be construed to mean that Kibaki condones the
killing of Kenyan Citizens.

Kibaki should also be aware of Article 27 and 28 of the Rome Statute and that he
could be facilitating the cover up of Crimes against Humanity.  " Mr
President, you have a sacred constitutional duty towards facilitating justice
for all in Kenya.  You must not fail Kenyans.  If you do, then you should be
regarded as bearing the greatest responsibility for what happened in Kenya in
January and February 2008, and face the Hague on the crime of obstructing
justice. There is no such thing as power without responsibility."

Kenyans have taken a decision to support law abiding officials of Government
rather than Law breaking Senior politicians and Government Officials. Kenyans
are tired of individuals who believe, because of some bogus birthright, prior or
current position, that they can act with Impunity, commit crimes in Kenya and
get away with it. Kenya has changed. The sign of the times is that days are
numbered for these kind of people in Kenya. They have no support among the
Kenyan Public. We the people have said let Justice be done though the heavens
fall.

Mars Group Kenya.

Youth give PM raft of demands

The Standard
Published on 24/11/2010

By LUCIANNE LIMO

The youth now want 30 per cent representation in national decision-making organs and slots in the new commissions established under the new Constitution.

Youth leaders tabled a raft of demands they want done for them to exploit their potentials during a meeting with Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Wednesday. They also want the Government to establish an employment database.

"There is severe unemployment among the youth and low representation in decision-making organs. We are demanding inclusion and participation in governance," said Emmanuel Ngongo, co-ordinator Youth Enterprise and Sustainability.

The leaders also urged the Government to revamp the Youth Fund and offer them 'friendly' health services.

"Lack of access to quality healthcare has increased the cases of HIV and Aids infections among the youth," said Ngongo, adding that only a few have access to antiretroviral drugs and contraceptives.

However, the PM advised the youth to work out their dreams diligently.

"Whatever you want to be, whether a doctor, engineer, lawyer, athlete, soccer star, businessperson, president or prime minister, you have to dream about it and then work hard to achieve the dream," he advised. He said the new Constitution recognises the rights of the youth.

Skills vs Labour market

The youth leaders also complained about the local education system.

"We recommend that the Government improves the quality and relevance of higher education and align graduate skills to the current labour market," said Ngongo in a statement.

Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Paul Otuoma regretted that 36 per cent of national population are youth between ages 15 to 35 who are either unemployed or underpaid.

Publics Works Minister Dalmas Otieno expressed optimism that the ideas fronted by the youth will be incorporated to development of the country

See

http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/InsidePage.php?id=2000023216&catid=159&a=1

Youth give PM raft of demands

The Standard
Published on 24/11/2010

By LUCIANNE LIMO

The youth now want 30 per cent representation in national decision-making organs and slots in the new commissions established under the new Constitution.

Youth leaders tabled a raft of demands they want done for them to exploit their potentials during a meeting with Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Wednesday. They also want the Government to establish an employment database.

"There is severe unemployment among the youth and low representation in decision-making organs. We are demanding inclusion and participation in governance," said Emmanuel Ngongo, co-ordinator Youth Enterprise and Sustainability.

The leaders also urged the Government to revamp the Youth Fund and offer them 'friendly' health services.

"Lack of access to quality healthcare has increased the cases of HIV and Aids infections among the youth," said Ngongo, adding that only a few have access to antiretroviral drugs and contraceptives.

However, the PM advised the youth to work out their dreams diligently.

"Whatever you want to be, whether a doctor, engineer, lawyer, athlete, soccer star, businessperson, president or prime minister, you have to dream about it and then work hard to achieve the dream," he advised. He said the new Constitution recognises the rights of the youth.

Skills vs Labour market

The youth leaders also complained about the local education system.

"We recommend that the Government improves the quality and relevance of higher education and align graduate skills to the current labour market," said Ngongo in a statement.

Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Paul Otuoma regretted that 36 per cent of national population are youth between ages 15 to 35 who are either unemployed or underpaid.

Publics Works Minister Dalmas Otieno expressed optimism that the ideas fronted by the youth will be incorporated to development of the country

Multi Stakeholder Change Process? My Perspective

December 5, 2010

The just concluded Inspiring Change Event in Nairobi (December 1-3 2010) was a great learning opportunity for me from the old to the new thinking of doing things. I have related the event to my personal experience for growth. I was part of the organizing team as well as a participant and trying to understand some concepts behind my past frustrations in dealing with humans and from a facilitator's point of view to improve on my skills. To a great extend, I am glad I participated in the event and I can only describe it in a few words…. It was life changing.

I lead a couple of multi stakeholder youth processes in Kenya and the larger Africa. Two of the networks deal with Creating Sustainable Livelihoods for the youth and the other on opening up an open society with democratic ideals using governance based approaches. The experience has been challenging and stimulating at the same time. Challenges bring out the best and worse in us though sometimes resultant actions can be catastrophic with reflexes from the partners involved.

In my evolving experience, I used to see partners as targets or beneficiaries of my facilitation. From the Nairobi event, I now realize the mistakes I committed early in my practice attributed to the failures in achieving ultimate impact. It is discriminatory in nature to operate from a higher moral ground when you are expecting ultimate results from your multi-stakeholder partners.

Two years ago in my quest to support the unity of purpose of the Youth Voices in Kenya, I have faced myriads of challenges. From the knowledge of communities of practice, I knew it is important for all the stakeholder to feel appreciated and consulted at all levels when making decisions. After being called upon by a leading organization to organize for a national youth process, the participants in the process resolved that they needed to transform into a national movement. The Lead Organization frustrated my efforts in creating a platform for equal participation and viral effect to become a people driven process. Such experiences can make one give up in the quest to support those who feel powerless.

Driven by values my resolve has been a passion to ensure I co-create a platform where the young generation will be consulted as equal partners in matters affecting them from local grassroots to the national and international level. I have modestly become influential both at the national and international platforms in matters Youth Development. This realization has pushed my resolve not to give up given the frustrations of the so called status quo beliefs entrenched in some young leaders and other stakeholders with responsibility to facilitate change processes.

I have had to change of tact and to ensure I go on with what my resolve pushes me. Recently we managed to bring government, youth leaders from various organizations, donor agencies and other partners to a dialogue table to objectively discuss issues affecting young people and agree on a framework for implementation that will ensure those issues are resolved.

We are now creating a Rapid Results Initiative for implementation with the equal participation of the stakeholders. This is a complex situation given the learning from the Inspiring Change Event in Nairobi. I have know it will be a very diffusive, diverse situation. Without using a systemic thinking, such a process will not be successful.   In concluding the event in Nairobi, we have seen a strong willingness by the African Facilitators to create the Change Alliance for Africa using perspectives unique to the developmental challenges bedeviling Africa today. We want to create a platform that will enable us learn from each other, exchange ideas support each other since the overarching goal is to make an Africa wide Movement of partners working together using externally self driven value systems to support the growth of our continent.

In the wake of doing things differently, the emerging forces are enabling us to connect, create a momentum for growth and sustain our uniting forces for development. This will only happen if we appreciate each other's work, learn from various tools and engineer an approach that will define a new Africa for all.

I believe after the Nairobi event, there has been new knowledge created and we need to manage it and create a platform for emerging approaches. It will be interesting to see how we manage to sustain the process of Change though political and economic realities show us that change has been resisted before, learning together, and reinforcing the need for democratic processes, the Change Alliance for Africa will enable a development focus discourse from the Global level connecting to the local for systemic impact.

 

Prime Minister's Youth Round Table on 24th November 2010

Dear Good Kenyans,

On 24^th November 2010 marked a key milestone in the quest to to put the agenda of youth on the national platform. The Inaugural Prime Minister's Youth Round Table (PMYRT) was held in Nairobi. Over 300 Kenyans attended 250 of whom were Youth Leaders selected from across the country. Gracing the Occasion was The Right Honorable Prime Minister, Raila Amolo Odinga, Minister for Youth Afairs and Sports, Mr. Otuoma, among other Ministera, PS, OPM, Dr. Issahakia, PS Youth Affairs and Sports, among others drawn from the Ministries of Education, Health, East Africa Cooperation, Labour and Human Resource Development, Finance, Public Health, and Cultural Heritage.

The round table was held in emulation to the success of the Kenya Private Sector Alliance that has had very successful impact in its PM Private Sector Round Table.The main objective is to have Youth and Government Partner in implementing policy issues that will result in the empowerment of Youth in Kenya. Over 25 Youth Organizations based in Nairobi have been meeting for over 1 month to organize the Round Table meeting. Out of the preparations four thematic sectors were identified;

1.      Empowerment (Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and Employment)

2.      Education and Health

3.      Leadership and Governance

4.      Creative Arts, Sports and Culture

Key policy challenges and recommendations were presented as per the attached Matrix for your information. This is the beginning of a partnership of purpose to ensure continued dialogue, negotiation and pressure to Governenement on pertinent issues affecting the Kenyan youth population. Key agreements were arrived at and a communiqué with commitments from Government and the Youth.

To ensure the Unity of Purpose and Coordination of the issues, the National Youth Sector Alliance (NYSA) was announced. It is proposed that NYSA will facilitate the negotiations and identification of all sectors in partnership with Government. It will oversee implementation of the agreed upon issues through a 100 day Rapid Response Initiative. NYSA will be a sector based committee of all youth organizations involved in this process in Kenya that will subscribe and join in on the discussions.  If your organization would like to be represented on this committee please send your details to emmanuel@yesweb.org with subject NYSA Committee.

We will be announcing dates for 8 regional Meetings coordinated by NYSA to ensure the voices of the youth from all the 47 Counties are brought on board before the second Round Table meeting to be held in the first quarter of 2011.

This is to request your support for NYSA and continued engagement on the issues for us to can achieve the most urgent youth empowerment that Kenyan youth have been yearning for since the 90's.

Best Regards,

Emmanuel Dennis.

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

Join the Green Teams Initiative ...and be a part of the Simple Solutions that resolve the Global Complex Ecological Challenges

..........
Emmanuel Dennis Ngongo
YES Kenya Leader
Initiator of the Green Teams Initiative
P.O. Box 8799, 00200
Nairobi Kenya
Cell: +46706048398
http://emmanuel-ed.blogspot.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Emmanueldennis
http://www.facebook.com/?sk=messages&tid=397764087384#!/group.php?gid=124947050868208&v=info&ref=ts

Corporate Driven Development & the Millennium Development Goals

A GREENER AFRICA WE WANT BY 2015.

A Presentation to the International Youth Leaders Summit

Session: Corporate Driven Development & the Millennium Development Goals

By Emmanuel Dennis

Regional Coordinator, YES Africa & Green Teams Initiative

KICC, Nairobi 20th November 2010

 

My fellow young Leaders. It is a great honor and privilege to speak to you. Today in a world that is growing younger by the day, with the population of youth bulging, I want to reaffirm that Government Leaders cannot solve global challenges on their own any more. Today, it is everyday people – and, critically, their personal networks – who have the potential to be the world's big new problem solvers. Post-disaster emergency responses in recent months have vividly displayed the need for coordinated efforts from non-profits, companies, individuals, online communities, governments and the UN system. The same mindset of partnership, urgency, and "all hands on deck" is also required to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, the world's integrated targets for tackling extreme poverty by 2015.

 

Today we are seeing a new breed of players coming on board to support the efforts in reclaiming the glory that the world should be today. They are the Green Entrepreneurs, committed to reworking the world to retain its virgin nature and provide plenty for a world that is starving and at the same time create a source of revenue through ecopreneurship.

 

The next five years provides an opportunity for us young people, to learn about and become involved with organizations that address global and local issues, network, and become engaged and empowered to take leadership roles in their communities. At the Millennium General Assembly in 2000, all Heads of States unanimously agreed to work toward the accomplishment of the Millennium Development Goals. But it is the people that must come together to take action to see that these goals are achieved.

 

Let me exemplify a few areas:

 

Corruption – Just as poverty is multifaceted, corruption also manifests itself in various forms. Development assistance that aims to increase the sharing between the rich and the poor and to support equitable development processes is vital to reducing poverty. It is therefore of critical importance to ensure that development resources are used for this intended purpose and not diverted through corruption. Rooting out corruption promotes equality, development and reduction of poverty. 

http://blog.transparency.org/2009/09/23/gcr2009_privatesector/

 

Entrepreneurship – I want to laud the Young people who are coming up with new innovative enterprises with capabilities of creating the jobs of tomorrow. Entrepreneurship and Innovation are the prerequisite of social, economic and political development of any society and will be the determinant of quick attainment of the MDGs. I want to encourage young people to start viewing every development effort through an entrepreneurship prism. The millions of unemployed youth today could be a huge social investment for effective mitigation of global problems. There is increasing pressure to combat the global Climate Crises through various approaches.

 

The problem of youth unemployment now needs to be connected to the global crises with clear cut solutions to reducing it. First; Financial, social and ecological pressures mean that a new kind of employment programmes must emerge. Secondly, these must meet the short term imperative: engage youth on a large scale to prevent social conflict, and be cost effective and largely rely on private flows, not aid or government money for sustainability. Thirdly, they must meet the long term imperative: support the emergence of sustainable value chains that opens up a new avenue for sustainable action.

 

Networking and Shared Responsibility– Young people are increasingly and should plug into the power of information. The creation of online networks allows for sharing of information and cross pollination of ideas. With the command of numbers, young people can ensure greater action is achieved through collaboration with peers and by finding out what is being done and what still needs to be addressed. Information

Technology has made it easy now for people to communicate, exchange ideas and run business. ICT is an accelerator of MDGs if used with a business mind. IT influences the way people perceive things and has played a critical role in changing the culture of people around the world.

 

Environmental issues – If we don't take care of the earth, it will not take care of us. The future is green if we have to attain MDGs. With Greener infrastructure, we will have food. With Cleaner environment, we will breed healthy livelihoods. With Greener Forests, we will have clean and safe drinking water from thriving rivers and other water bodies. The world is moving to greener, and cleaner energy for sustainable economies. The economies of the future will be dependent on green energy and clean environmental efforts. Climate Change as it is today can be tackled at a larger scale through adopting Green Based enterprises and increasing Green Jobs for our youth.

 

The Green Teams Vision for Africa that offers a promise to create the next millions of jobs through investing in Green Value Chains is one initiative that all of you should subscribe to. We are in partnership with the UNHABITAT's Cities in Climate Change Initiative, to Train Trainers in Four Cities on creating Green Teams to curb the effects of Climate Change. The green Teams Initiative will integrate both labor intensive green jobs, as well as high end intellectual sectors with abilities to create jobs for the youth.

We are building an interactive web portal, www.thegreenteams.org Young people in rural communities will be able to interact with investors in larger cities and exchange goods and services. The content will be translated into simple mobile telephony technology to make it accessible with the slowest of bandwidth speeds. Every Country, City, Community, Village needs a green Team. I would like to encourage all of you to start thinking green by creating your own green team and taking your community to the next level of sustainability. Let us take care of the future generations by adapting to measures that will support our environment, sustain our livelihoods, and support the growth of our communities. With such practices not only will we have achieved the millennium Development Goals. We will have saved ourselves and our natural habitats. But we cannot do it alone.

 

We need enabling Partnerships between Governments, Private Sector, Public Service, The Professions the unemployed youth in communities and the Cooperate Sector to attain the Millennium Development Goals. In deed the Cooperate World is playing a critical role in the development of the economy. The Youth must start embracing cooperate practices but at community level. It is at the community that Development shall be felt. It is high time we restructured development to make sure we reach to the unreached communities. A wholistic approach to achieving MDGs.

 

We MUST Work together.

 

Thank you very much and May God Bless you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQmz6Rbpnu0&NR=1

Emmanuel Dennis Ngongo

YES Kenya Leader

Initiator of the Green Teams Vision

Nairobi Kenya

Cell: +46706048398

http://emmanuel-ed.blogspot.com/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/Emmanueldennis

http://www.facebook.com/?sk=messages&tid=397764087384#!/group.php?gid=1249

47050868208&v=info&ref=ts

"We Can Take Over Leadership by 2012" Youth Leaders in Meru and Kajiado Counties Challenged

"WE CAN TAKE OVER LEADERSHIP BY 2012"

 Youth Leaders in Meru and Kajiado Counties Challenged

By: Emmanuel Dennis 1^st November 2010

 

In the quest to mobilizing young people across the country to prepare their arsenal for national leadership, an action packed week characterized the activities in Meru County on Wednesday 27^th October and Kajiado County on Saturday 30^th October 2010 respectively.  Two counties in one week, National Leaders from various Organizations joined hands to support organized grassroots empowerment forums in the two counties. The Forums were held at the need of self organizing for change at community level, the young people of MERU and KAJIADO brought together by the fact that the older generation of leaders had failed in uplifting the positive agenda of their communities at national level, decided to come together to chart the way forward for the country.

Inspired by a declaration to bring together the youth networks in the over 7 Constituencies, the Meru County Youth Forum brought together over 100 participants in Meru Town, while the Kajiado County Youth Forum brought together 140 youth leaders at the Isinya District Headquarters. 240 the number of Youth Leaders who attended the Forums.

The Meru County's Forum purpose was to interrogate the place of the youth of Meru County around Social, Economic, Leadership, Good Governance and the Constitution. The Kajiado Forum focused on organizing the youth leadership around matters affecting them at local and national level into a powerful force that will change the way of running business themed "Towards a youthful society in our days". The youth organized themselves, raised resources on their own and invited the national leaders to facilitate key themes on the program.

Some of the Key youth leaders from the National leaders who joined hands to engage with the participants of the two forums were the YES Kenya Network, URAIA's National Civic Education Program, the Conveners of the VuguVugu Mashinani movement, KENGO network, Madaraka Party, the National Youth Convention, alumni of the PLDP, the Citizens Anti Corruption Watch, Makadara Youth Network, UCAHA, KCDN, Fahamu Kenya among others.

 

Peter Ngure and Emmanuel Dennis Pictured Presenting Tshirts to the Meru County Youth Leaders

 

Presentations made by various speakers at the two fora touched on the need of the youth to realize the opportunity that we have using our numerical strength and recently released census results that estimates the youth population at a staggering 80% of the total population to make sure we rise up to the occasion and ensure we lead this country at all levels. The local youth also challenged themselves and vowed to unite as a county and start addressing the leadership challenges that bedevil them.

The young generation has been fighting for the good of this nation but resource allocation to the largest cohort of the population has been limited. The youth must start to ask the difficult questions to the leaders to feel the heat of accountability and transparency.

 

The New Constitution: The young leaders were challenged to acquire basic understanding of the Constitution schedule of implementation and make sure that many young people present their cases for representation and that the institutions set to oversee the implementation do the rightful job as proscribed by the constitution. The Leaders were challenged to take the chances and opportunities available to seek knowledge and skills that will uplift their livelihoods and stop complaining and shouting at the status quo leadership that was on its sunset years.

The Youth Leaders in Song and Dance During the Forum

 

On the National Youth Council:  The leaders were asked to be vigilant and press for a democratic process of electing the representatives that will have a lasting impact in the institution that will be regulating and coordinating the affairs of youth organizations in Kenya. They were also challenged to make sure that the guidelines in electing NYC officials conform to the new constitution.

 

Whistle Blowing on Corruption: The participants identified many of the scandals that had been the epitome of the successive governments. The older generation had perfected the act of ensuring that the country does not progress by ensuring that public resources are only a preserve of a few individuals vested with the responsibility of taking care of the public funds.

The Green Teams Initiative: The participants got an opportunity of being presented the Green Teams vision that seeks to engage young people in green value chains and economically empower the young people. They were taken through various possibilities within the Green Teams vision and specific value chains that the youth in Meru and Kajiado Counties can tap into. The leaders of the groups were asked to organize the membership into entrepreneurs to receive proper training as a follow up to the meeting.

One of the Horticulture Projects that the Green Teams Initiative is Supporting in Kitui County.

 

Opportunities for the Youth in the Constitution: In a very enlightening statistical presentation of the opportunities that young people should look out for in the new constitution; the following facts were presented to the participants to ponder about and make informed decisions; 2,923 opportunities in the legislature, 616 opportunities in the executive, 1500+ Opportunities in the Judiciary, 100+Opportunities in the public service.

The youth leaders were informed that the Equalization Fund as espoused in Article 204 Will be available for the devolved government and that it would only serve the people right if the youth were vigilant.

On the opportunities presented by the vision 2030, the youth were encouraged to make sure that they audit its operation and make sure that they are part of the implementation process.

Staying with the Issues: The youth leaders were challenged to make sure they acquire the necessary information about the leadership of the country to hold their leaders accountable by engaging them on issues. The Leaders were reminded that given the statistics that out of 14 million registered voters, those aged under 35 constitute 11.6 Million making the youth a large number that can marginalize the status quo and decide the future of Kenya in the next general election. The Leaders of the Vugu Vugu Mashinani promised to work with grassroots initiatives and disseminate information to the young people in the country so that they can engage and get empowered to run the affairs of their communities.

11.6 Million The number of registered voters under the age of 35 old who could change the tide of elections in 2012.

In Kajiado, a youthful District Officer One who also attended the forum encouraged the youth to get information and use it to their benefit. He advised the youth leaders to desist from illicit brews and other harmful drugs and lead healthy livelihoods.He committed to work with the youth network for the development in the District.

Conclusion: The participants saw the need to start reworking on their vision for the country and their place in the national agenda. It was clear that using our numerical strength; we could rise up and take over important decision making organs of governance of the republic of Kenya. The only challenge is to find the common unity and trust to support each other and take on the challenge. One of our strategies is to also encourage the youth in the civil service to start engaging with the rest of Kenyans in bringing the desired change.

Similar activities are underway and young people in the counties are encouraged to organize themselves and host similar activity with support from like minded youth based organizations and movements at the national level.

YES Kenya, the Green Teams Initiative and Vuguvugu Mashinani would like to send their gratitude to the youth leaders from the Meru and Kajiado County for making these events a success. We welcome other organizations and movements to join us as we move to cover the 47 counties across Kenya. Special Thanks go to Chris Kinyua of Meru County and Nicholas Soikan of IDEYS and the Olkeju Self Help Group in Kajiado County for leading the processes and organizing the groups on the ground for the meetings.

The ICC and the Politics of Stupidity

Last Updated: October 10, 2010 22:04

The ICC Investigations are coming faster, and the focus has narrowed to a few cabinet Ministers who were financiers and Perpetrators of the Post Election Violence. We all know that the ICC Prosecutor has to build the burden of proof to indict those individuals with credible evidence to be admissible in the Chambers of the International Criminal Court. We also know that those people whose names will be released as having a case to answer will carry their own cross.

Panic has struck and the politicians who are feeling that they will be under investigation have started to marshal their political sycophants and the old phrase of "Our Community is being targeted" have made a return. While at it another brigade came up in their characteristic caricatured and comical press advocacy and said that their own sponsored party leaders had meetings calling for mass action for Kenyans to go kill themselves. 

In a swift rejoinder an equally charged group of cabinet ministers from the said political party came out fighting frustrated at the comments made by the political comedians who have overburdened the tax payer. I was very shocked when I saw another member of parliament on the floor of the house stating that his entire Kalenjin Nation had not been represented on the PNU list of nominees to the Parliamentary Constitutional Implementation Committee. 

Fast forward to the weekend, it was all drama as more troops joined the comical debate of tribal kingpins and another one on why Kenyans will fight even more if some politicians were indicted to answer for their SINS.

What I have been wondering is why these folks keep on getting prime time on national news to pour their stinking verbosity on issues that are divisive and backward thinking. Why do our media keep focusing on these political sycophants who keep on displaying their politically motivated ethnic stupidity?

For Kenya to move forward through the New Constitution, we have to dethnicize our politics and fully embrace inclusivity and oneness as Kenyans. Let us get rid of the characters who are ethnicising leadership and reducing their positions in leadership as a theater of the witty and the absurd. I personally lost faith in the kind of leadership we have from day one.

I just wonder why the politicians keep on thinking that Kenyans are so stupid a people that they will keep on following them to political yonda of oblivion! In a country where we still have IDP's there must be Justice and those individuals who committed the crimes against our fellow Kenyans should not be allowed to hide behind Parliament perimeter and confines of cabinet offices and when the run becomes tough they run back to their so called tribes/clans in the name of "My people"

Those individuals must pay the ultimate price of causing the deaths, destructions and displacements post the 2007 elections. We should all stand by the ICC and stop the political stupidity by a few politicians to mislead us. We welcome OCAMPO and his team and the best Christmas gift he can give us is warrants of arrests to those politicians that think they are the "Untouchables" We are Keenly watching your moves Prosecutor Moreno Ocampo!!!

Emmanuel Dennis

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

Join the Green Teams Initiative ...and be a part of the Simple Solutions that resolve the Global Complex Ecological Challenges

..........
Emmanuel Dennis Ngongo
YES Kenya Leader
Initiator of the Green Teams Initiative
P.O. Box 8799, 00200
Nairobi Kenya
Cell: +46706048398
http://emmanuel-ed.blogspot.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Emmanueldennis
http://www.facebook.com/?sk=messages&tid=397764087384#!/group.php?gid=124947050868208&v=info&ref=ts

THE MERU and ISINYA Youth FORUM You don't want to Miss

Good Friend---

On 27^th October October, we will be kicking off our grassroots engagement with the First Forum in MERU County. We will be making a case for uniting our voices, our votes and beginning the journey to reclaiming the assumption that the young generation is not ready for Leadership. We hope that those of you who are near MERU County do not want to miss this opportunity. We are also appealing to any other young leaders both at national and grassroots level who want to join us during the ground breaking meeting to come along and pass a message of solidarity to our friends in MERU.

BUT it isn't just about MERU,  it's about KENYA…We want to start knocking doors, sending text messages and talking to our friends and neighbors and let them know that they have a historic moment to move our country to the next level through unity of purpose in community.

An amazing thing happened when over 100 young people in Isinya collected money to host a KATIBA meeting in Isinya. They have also invited us to go and facilitate the constitutional discussions. After Meru we head to Isinya on 30^th October. You are also welcome to join us in Isinya Kajiado County.

Two more Forums are planned for Nyeri and Siaya in November and December respectively.

It's just the beginning and we will cover all the 47 counties in 2011 and 2012. Through you, we will make a difference. We expect a minimum of 200 young people in those meetings. The young at heart are also encouraged to participate because we are all Kenyans and we must work together in moving our country to efficiency and get rid of the corrupt network of lethargic leaders come 2012.

To keep retirees from scavenging over County and Regional governments, we are looking to turn the volume across the country and it starts with YOU and ME. Will you work with us to bring this Forum to your County? With your help we can and will Rework a New Kenya. We are better together.

Regards,

Emmanuel Dennis

 

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

Join the Green Teams Initiative ...and be a part of the Simple Solutions that resolve the Global Complex Ecological Challenges

..........
Emmanuel Dennis Ngongo
YES Kenya Leader
Initiator of the Green Teams Initiative
P.O. Box 8799, 00200
Nairobi Kenya
Cell: +46706048398
http://emmanuel-ed.blogspot.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Emmanueldennis
http://www.facebook.com/?sk=messages&tid=397764087384#!/group.php?gid=124947050868208&v=info&ref=ts

Inspiring Change Event for East Africa December 1-3 2010

Dear Friends,
I'm active with something called The Change Alliance, and we're organizing an event in Nairobi Dec. 1-3 for people in the region who are dealing with multi-stakeholder change challenges. 

The goals are to support further development of the participants' multi-stakeholder change strategies, and to stimulate the formation of an on-going peer support network as part of The Change Alliance.  Costs for participation will be covered by the Change Alliance, based on available funding.

We would like to open this opportunities to people working on areas connected with the change agenda in East Africa for whom this might be of interest. 

Attached here https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0ByYF02yAzRLnNGZjZjNkMTYtNzZiOS00ODNmLTk0NTMtMDRmMTMwZGY5MDQ5&hl=en&authkey=CL_ZuoEB
is a brochure describing the event...although it refers to multi-stakeholder processes, we're really talking about strategies.  And although it speaks of "facilitators", we're really referring to people who are involved in implementing those strategies.  Also, we're looking for some short case studies that can be "workshopped" at the meeting. 

If you are interested please get in touch with Steve on Email: swadell@networkingaction.net

regards,

ED

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

Join the Green Teams Initiative ...and be a part of the Simple Solutions that resolve the Global Complex Ecological Challenges

Easy Way to Treat, Heat Water and Make Money

Dear Good people,
Another Innovation of the Green Teams Initiative courtesy of YES Kenya, In our quest to bring business models for young people to engage in enterprise Development at their communities, I am glad to present to you another innovative business model involving a Water Heating Container using the Sun in addition to the Solar Lanterns already under distribution across Kenya.

We want to establish a distribution and sales Green Teams in the whole of Western Province. The Solvatten Container is Manufactured in Sweden and is an award winning model for treating and Heating Water using the sun with international recognition.

We are opening doors for the youth in Western Province to sell the product, make very good money from the sales, and keep earning revenues on a yearly basis as long as the container is in use for the next five years. This will be made possible due to the Carbon Financing from the Carbon Credits that will be saved since communities will stop boiling water using open fires generated from firewood that emits carbon into the environment.

This is a business model that will make the youth happy.
If you are a Youth Entrepreneur in Western Province and would like to make money that makes sense to your environment, please get in touch with us to begin the business.

Please find here with and attached some information in regards to the new innovation.
The Container
http://nyciv.googlegroups.com/web/Solvatten-mini.jpg?hl=en_US
and The Solvatten PDF Presentation
http://groups.google.com/group/nyciv/web/Solvatten%20Presentation.pdf?hl=en_US


The Solvatten Innovation
Solvatten is a patented portable container that uses nothing but solar energy to purify contaminated water from the micro-organisms which cause water-borne diseases. It is a simple, reliable and affordable way to provide clean water at household level.  A Solvatten unit holds 10 litres of water. The outside of the unit is made of black, heat-absorbing plastic and the unit opens out to reveal transparent surfaces which let in the sun's energy. A special indicator shows when the water is fit to drink.

One Solvatten can meet the safe water needs of a household of five people. 
As well as producing water for drinking, Solvatten can be used to warm water for washing, cooking and
personal hygiene.

Read more...

Benefits
- Solvatten provides safe and warm water.
- It is easy to use, saves time, money and energy.
- Solvatten improves health.
- Solvatten saves the environment in places where firewood is used for boiling before drinking water.
(Approximately 50 trees/ Solvatten units).
- Solvatten contributes to the realization of the UN Millennium Development Goals.
- Solvatten provides safe and hot water to a very competitive prize. 10-30 liters/day.

Read more...

Voices From Kenya

"It's the easiest way of treating water.  It's a remedy for us and the community". Martin Baraza

"No firewood is used on boiling drinking water. Solvatten make me save time and makes one
be able to attend to other household duties".  Phyllis Sifuna

"Every family wishes to have one". Jane Nyongesa, field staff

"My baby had severe diarrhoea and was very ill. But after using Solvatten water she got better." Junice Apinde

"I am now using the borehole on the compound and I don't have to walk far anymore to fetch water." Felice Masinde

Solvatten has conducted a number of pilot studies with UN Habitat, Enpho and Vi agroforestry.
Read the report from Bungoma.



Solvatten is an inspiring example of a non-fossil, non-nuclear climate innovation with the potential to substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
WWF Climate Solver 2009



We look forward to opening this very important business innovation to young people in Kenya.

Emmanuel Dennis

Entrepreneurship Vs Aid, What Does Africa Need?

ENTREPRENEURSHIP Vs AID, WHAT DOES AFRICA NEED?

PRESENTED TO THE WORLD YOUTH ALLIANCE AFRICAN EMERGING LEADERS CONFERENCE 2010 AT KENYA HIGH SCHOOL ON 12^TH AUGUST 2010

By Emmanuel Dennis

My respect to you - Young African Leaders. I am extremely honored to talk with you this morning on the topics that I am very passionate about in the wake of the Bulging Youth Population in Africa. Africa our motherland is a continent rich in mineral resources.urces, a virgin land that has not been explored with beautiful people and a very rich history. Africa attracted Western interests because of its virgin nature of resources through colonization. They came and raped our continent, and stole much of our needed natural resources for their own interest and good.

Of Donors and Aid: We have all sorts of donors with all manner of ulterior motives both big and small with both Developmental and Social agenda.  We have organizations like Action Aid in Kenya which was established here over 40 Solid Years ago "Fighting Poverty Together" "Making Poverty History" HISTORY IS STILL JUDGING US THROUGH POVERTY. There is a small village called Budalangi in Western Kenya close to the border to Uganda with its Floods Mitigation Program for close to 30 years now. Next year we will still have floods displacing the people of Budalangi. YET MORE THAN A MILLION DOLLARS HAS BEEN SPENT.  

Our main donors the World Bank and the IMF the so called Brettonwoods Institutions who have been running Development Based Aid since Independence. If we did a comparative analysis of the Funds spent on projects in Africa for both Brettonwoods, International, Multilateral, Multinational and National Donors, the money would be a paltry Trillions of Dollars. BUT WHAT Can WE SHOW FOR IT?

The Question of Entrepreneurship Vs Aid is a chicken and Egg issue. What Africa needs is Foundational Aid that has time Limits. Foundational Aid is like a Startup Capital. You get startup Capital given a Good Business Plan. For an entrepreneur can only access loans from banks if they have a good Business Plan and supported by security and other collateral requirements. The Plan must clearly show Financial Returns with capacity to repay the Loan and grow to scale.

Startup Capital may go to acquiring Equipment to support the hardware and software for the business to thrive. More so the Entrepreneur will need Incubation Period supported by Business Development Services to make the business withstand the taste of time.

In INDIA, CHINA, THE USA, EUROPE, the citizens are given Mortgage loans with moratorium periods of over 30 years.  Interest rates for a Mortgage or any other kind of Loan from majority of the banks in those countries is as low as 1%.

We have the Youth Enterprise Development Fund in Kenya, a kitty that provides Loans to the youth to start up their business. This is a very good model to develop the culture of Entrepreneurship among youth in Kenya. PROBLEM is that the YEDF is a good example of a Bad Strategy gone bad which failed in its planning. The number of defaulters is extremely high which a shame to the banks. WHY? The Interest rate ranges from 8% to 14%.

A hustler in a slum running a small micro business can't afford a 14% interest rate in a poor country like Kenya? Many banks have interest rates of up to 25% depending on the amount of money required and on whether your loan is fixed or flexible.  Remember the between 8% and 25% interest rate loan in Kenya has to be repaid off in 15 years. THAT IS A RECIPE FOR POVERTY because it will give precedence to defaulting and thus impede development then corruption crops in.

LET ME SHOW YOU ONE OF THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT AFRICA IS NOT EXPLORING TO ITS FULLEST.

AGOA and How Mauritius is ahead of the Game over and above all other African Countries. Its only in Africa that you can get Curios, Artifacts, Apparels, Cotton. Think of Coffee, Tea and the rest of the agriculture based produce that we have from Africa. All grow from natural environments and most rain fed and hand processed.

We have the EPZ in Nairobi. Kenya produces the best Rain fed Cotton in the world with capacity of over 400 Bails per year. Through the AGOA arrangement the best exporters of Cotton the United States from Africa are Mauritius, and Egypt. AGOA is one of the biggest opportunities that Africa can harness for development. And to do that we don't need aid, we just need a good entrepreneurship and Financial Model to back it up and we can have higher Dividends more that Tourism and other Production opportunities that we currently exploit for growth.

I have a belief that Entrepreneurship and Innovations are the prerequisite for Economic, Social and Political Development of any society. You cant get it wrong if you invest on Entrepreneurship. The story of a Young Man from Kitui Selling Curios in the US and the Wallmat Connection. He wanted to supply curios and bracelets to Wallmat. He sought audience with the management of Wallmat.  Wallmat has 1000 Stores across the US. With 1 Million Customers in terms of traffic/Week . He was given a challenge to produce 1 Billion Bracelets Branded and finished to specification. Even the whole of Kenya can close down to just venture in that kind of business but our cottage industry can't afford to handle such supply chain. The Young man never walked back to Wallmat again. Our Supply, Capacity, Constant Flow of Products and Quality must be high.

MY VERDICT: Aid directed through Development Incorporated approaches is what is making AFRICA poor. HOWEVER: For Entrepreneurship to thrive, you need Start up Aid that is time bound based on a Financially Sound sustainable Business Model.

You the Emerging Leaders of Africa, you need to unite on good Governance and Development of Our Continent. If you don't, the future generations will haunt you for your inaction. We shall not sit and watch as our continent is misruled by Octogenarians leaders who lack in Vision. This is our time to prove to the world that we can. Through our innovative nature, we can come up with sophisticated approaches to development and entrepreneurship. We need to keep discovering so that we can create opportunities for us and our next generation. The Key question is, what legacy will you as an individual leave in your society?

The Global Peace Youth Corps Kenya and the Green Teams are moving a mile higher. Look up to the www.youngleadersummit.org for the upcoming event that we are planning.

Let me take seven minutes to run you through the Green Teams of Africa Vision under the Green Teams Initiative… (Quick Time Player Presentation)

The Responsibility of the Citizenry as a New Kenya is Born

The Responsibility of the Citizenry as a New Kenya is Born

Kenyans decided in the Referendum of 4^th August 2010 to enact a New Constitution. Forty Days after the referendum, the organs of Review will stand dissolved and the attention is going to be on Parliament as over 80 pieces of legislation are enacted in order to give life to the New Constitution of Kenya. The country will start to grapple with the implementation and application of the New Laws into their daily lives. One important aspect of Law Making should be people centered and the people need to be involved in the process in order for the new laws to be applicable in their daily lives.

As Kenyans patiently wait to see how the new laws will transform their livelihoods, an estimated 30% of registered voters also cast their vote with the view of having contentious issues in the proposed law. As the implementation takes precedence, it will be important to see how the government will embrace the views of the people who feel that the new law is not a representative on issues touching on contention.

The new law represents a fundamental transformation for the country to better governance system and better institutions for service delivery. It is important that all Kenyans come together and accept the outcome of the referendum and start to build Kenya as one nation. The role that young people play in making sure due process is followed especially on the implementation framework of the new Constitution is critical.

If Kenyans are involved in the implementation process and with clear knowledge of the provisions, we will begin to have a responsive citizenry who will begin to hold their government accountable on service delivery. The new constitution should indeed be a call to action by all citizens to start actively participating on legislative issues as a civic duty if the nation is to attain its desired second rebirth. Citizens who do not understand what their laws are bound to break the law or are bound to be manipulated by the systems of governance.

A national dialogue for citizens is imminent to start taking responsibility and be on the front line to hold their local governments from the point of knowledge. The proposal also seeks to engage the citizens in an informed civic duty of advocacy on various aspects of the legal instruments that are critical in the process of domesticating the new constitution.

To rephrase the word of one Kepta Ombati –"YES!! Two days ago for the first time in history, in exercise of our Sovereign Will n Power, we the People  ratified a New Constitution 4 the Republic of Kenya... shut the door on the Old Evil Empire and set forth a New Nation n a New State... n open New Possibilities for All in Kenya... "

I look forward to thousands of Youths to start declaring their interests to become Governors and Senators in the New Dispensation and start to spearhead the New Kenya to new levels.

May God Bless Kenya and her People.

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

Join the Green Teams Initiative ...and be a part of the Simple Solutions that resolve the Global Complex Ecological Challenges

..........
Emmanuel Dennis Ngongo
YES Kenya Leader
Initiator of the Green Teams Initiative
P.O. Box 8799, 00200
Nairobi Kenya
Cell: +46706048398
http://emmanuel-ed.blogspot.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Emmanueldennis
http://www.facebook.com/?sk=messages&tid=397764087384#!/group.php?gid=124947050868208&v=info&ref=ts

Secretary Clinton's Remarks At The President's Forum with Young African Leaders

Some very encouraging words from Secretary Clinton.

 

Secretary Clinton's Remarks At The President's Forum with Young African Leaders

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Loy Henderson Auditorium

Washington, DC
August 3, 2010

Thank you all so much. I am thrilled to see you. I had to come back to work to recover from my daughter's wedding. (Laughter.) And one of the reasons I came back was because I wanted the chance to welcome each and every one of you here to the State Department, and to tell you how excited we are to be hosting this Young Leaders Forum.

Now, I know that later this afternoon, you will have the unique opportunity to go to the White House and to meet with President Obama. And I think from what you heard already today and the comments of my friend and extraordinary Assistant Secretary for Africa, Johnnie Carson, this Administration, from the top, is very committed to, concerned about Africa, and especially about Africa's future, because we know that it is people like all of you and others who are not in this room today who will determine what Africa's future will be.

I see Africa as a continent brimming with potential, a place that has so much just waiting to be grasped. Sixty percent of the population of Africa is under the age of 25. And that means that there's a lot of work to be done to make sure that those young people are educated, are healthy, are motivated, are given the tools of opportunity. But it also means that Africa has not just the potential, but the promise of becoming a leader in innovation, in design, in creativity of all that you, your families, communities, and countries can become.

Now, people in this room have already started businesses. You have started NGOs, you have made films, you have helped to make peace, you have worked with at-risk youth, you have cared for people living with HIV/AIDS, you have fought to end mistreatment of some of Africa's most vulnerable citizens. You have looked for solutions close to home. And you have seen unprecedented progress in your own lifetimes. Poverty and child mortality have declined across much of the continent. Primary school enrollment is up. Ghana, Botswana, South Africa, and others have all recently held elections that were models of freeness and fairness.

Across Africa, more citizens believe they now have the power and the duty to shape their own lives, to help their communities, to hold their governments accountable. So for all of the challenges, which we hear much about, I want to focus on these gains, because it is through this positive progress that we can motivate and incentivize even more to take place. And ultimately, it is up to you. The President and I very much believe in Africa's promise and we can do what's possible from afar to assist and to be front-row cheerleaders, if you will. But ultimately, it is up to you, and to citizens like you to make sure that we sustain and deepen the progress.

Every child, boy and girl, deserves to go as far as his or her God-given talents and potential and hard work will take that child. That means education is a right, not a luxury. It means that the best education must be made available to as many young people as possible. It means that every pregnant woman receives prenatal care and assistance for labor and delivery so the child that is brought into the world has a good start. It means that everyone has a safe environment – a house, a roof over one's head, a fair wage for the work that is done, and that everyone is free to follow his or her conscience in religion and politics to express an opinion without fear of being marginalized, silenced, or worse. We believe that you have the talents, the determination and the ability to bring these dreams to fruition.

When President Obama spoke to the parliament of Ghana a year ago he said, Africa's future is up to Africans. And he pledged then to work with Africa's leaders and citizens as friends and partners in a spirit of mutual respect and accountability. We stand ready to be your partners.
What does partnership mean? Well, it means that we have to change the way we pursue development. We have to work harder to expand trade and we have to encourage more trade among African countries yourselves. It means we have to improve private sector competitiveness. Many of you have had the privilege of traveling. You've been to Europe. You've now been to the United States. You've seen the diaspora from your countries and you often see how successful they are. We want that success to be right where you live and to break down the barriers that still exist. (Applause.)

We want to help you modernize how you deliver and create clean energy, how you get more value for agriculture which is still the life blood and the source of income for most people in sub-Saharan Africa. We want to help you strengthen democratic institutions. Elections are great, but that's only one part of democracy – free press, independent judiciary, respect for human rights and the rights of minorities, giving everybody a stake in their own society. We want to support women and girls to be full participants in their communities and countries. (Applause.) We want to redouble our global efforts in the fight against HIV/AIDs, tuberculosis, malaria. We want to respond to food scarcity and soaring food prices and growing populations with a multi-billion dollar initiative to help eradicate hunger and achieve food security. We want to join with you to fight against climate change, which will be devastating to Africa.

Meanwhile, we want to be sure that your voices are heard on the global stage. Johnnie was referring to my trips to Africa as First Lady. And I recognized then how much work there still was to be done to educate people in my own country about Africa. I held a roundtable for members of the White House Press Corps, and this was probably in – I don't know, 1997 or '98 – and one of the first questions that one of the reporters asked me – he said, what's the capital of Africa? (Laughter.) I thought, oh, do I have a lot of work to do. (Laughter.) And we've made a lot of progress there, too – (laughter) but we have a long way to go. Because you know so well that when people think too often of Africa, they think of all the tragedies, the conflicts. We want people to see a more comprehensive picture.

This forum, along with the African Women's Entrepreneurship Program, and the AGOA Forum taking place here in Washington and in Kansas City, Kansas, this week will help link African and American leaders, activists, entrepreneurs, investors, and especially young people. And we are inviting you to take advantage of that. We designed this forum not to be a one-time event; we want to create the connections that you will continue to exploit, to think about how you can tap into whatever help and skills, references and ideas that you can get from us.

We want you to take advantage of this when you go home, when you return, and maybe begin to think anew about how you can be more effective. And your generation of young Africans has already pioneered information technologies. You are connecting and empowering people in ways that we couldn't have dreamed of even five, let alone ten years ago. For example, Ushahidi crisis management platform has become a digital tool for social change all over the world.

Ushahidi was developed by young Kenyans to map reports of violence after the election of 2007. And a lot of the young Kenyans we invited were unable to come because they're staying to vote and to work on behalf of the constitution that will be voted on very soon. This new network has been used by citizen election monitors to help prevent fraud and violence in Burundi, India, Sudan, Guinea, Namibia. It's revolutionizing and empowering what citizens can do without permission, just on their own. We have seen the way that sophisticated mobile communications tools have also been used in Kenya to educate and empower voters in the lead-up to the referendum on its new constitution tomorrow.

Good ideas leapfrog languages and borders. Technology created and deployed first in Africa was used by U.S. Marines in Haiti to help rescue earthquake victims, and by a Louisiana environmental group tracking efforts to clean up the Gulf oil spill We are working hard to convey that our relationship with Africa is not a one-way street. We expect to benefit. We expect to learn. We expect to look to you for models and ideas of what we can do better ourselves.

So to ensure that new technologies are used more for good – and not for ill – we have promised to work with partners in industry, academia, and NGOs to try to harness the power of connection technologies to help you spur economic, political, and social progress.

The United States has now joined with three local partners to sponsor a contest called "Apps-4-Africa" – A-p-p-s dash 4, the number, dash Africa. Software developers in Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, and Tanzania have proposed applications for everything from educational games for mobile phones, to interactive maps that can track shortages of blood or medicines, to a mass texting app that could broadcast emergency information to rural villages. The winning apps will be announced in September. And we hope to catalyze these collaborations between technical experts and leaders of civil society to develop practical solutions that will improve people's lives.

This concept of leapfrogging holds such great promise for Africa. You already have. You didn't have to put up telephone poles, you went right to cell phones in many parts of Africa. Your electric grid doesn't have to be massive. It can be local and regional and provide sources of energy from wind and solar as well as fossil fuels. We stand ready to help in any way we can.
I often say that talent is equally distributed, but opportunity is not. Africa has no shortage of ideas, innovations, or entrepreneurial drive. We want this conference to be a start, where we work with you to help you create the conditions in which your ideas can be translated into real-life solutions for Africa and beyond.

I know you've been going to workshops and you've been talking to one another, and we will maintain a kind of nerve center after this forum to stay in touch with you, to provide assistance if you request it, to connect you up with other people. It's part of how we're trying to redefine diplomacy, development, and statecraft in the 21st century. We recently held an entrepreneurship summit in Washington where we invited young business people from predominantly Muslim-majority countries that are lagging way behind in unleashing the entrepreneurial potential of their people. And I think people came in part because they got a free trip to Washington, but also they were curious, wondering kind of what we were up to. But what we were up to was trying to empower them as we now are trying to empower you.

We're looking for leaders who know that empowering citizens is something that is in everyone's best interests. The world in which we live in today – top-down hierarchical power – is not sustainable. Oh, it can stay in place for years, but eventually, it is not sustainable. There are just too many ways people are going to get too much information. And technology is going to blow the doors down on governments.

One of my hopes is that we can move toward e-government in Africa, so that you can get more quickly whatever documents you need to start that business, or to register that car, and you don't have to go through a lot of hands to do it. We're looking for those kinds of ideas and we want to help you bring them to fruition and then take them to scale.

I'm very excited about what's possible with your generation in Africa. But you know as well as I that you're here in part because you've already succeeded. And many of you would have the option to go nearly anywhere in the world to pursue your dreams. But you're here because you care about the future of your families, your communities, your countries. And I urge you to stay with it. Change is not easy. And for many who try it, it can become very frustrating and even discouraging. But it is so worthy an effort, commensurate with your talents and your dedication.

You are educated beyond the average education of most of the people that you know or that you can watch as you drive down the road. You're here because you had the opportunities and you took them. What we want to help you do is to set forth your vision and then realize it. Because it will not be just for you – although I hope every one of you becomes successful in whatever enterprise you choose to pursue – but it will help to open doors and not go over obstacles, so that people will look at you, especially people younger than you, and believe that they too have a chance for a different future.

Godspeed as you go out from this forum back to your homes, I hope, energized and knowing that no matter how hard it is, you have friends and partners who are rooting for your success.

Thank you all very much. (Applause.)

http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2010/08/145623.htm
# # #

----