QUO VADIS? Recommendations from the Youth Breakout Session African WSIS Preparatory Meeting – Accra January Accra, Ghana

VISION & OBJECTIVES Vision: “A networked generation of young Africans empowering themselves through ICTs and contributing to the continent’s active participation in the Information Society” Objectives: To ensure youth input into Africa’s Information Society interventions To maximise youth energy in the achievement of the MDGs, within the context of NEPAD and national strategies To engage relevant stakeholders in the implementation of the outcome of the WSIS process

Good Practice Examples There are ongoing efforts in ICTs for poverty reduction There are ongoing efforts in ICTs for poverty reduction The ECA-led NICI-PRSP Gambian Example shoul be replicated in other nations (ACTION Process: Analysis, Consultation, Targets/Pillars, Integration, Organisation and National Commitment; 8-year old boy consultation) The ECA-led NICI-PRSP Gambian Example shoul be replicated in other nations (ACTION Process: Analysis, Consultation, Targets/Pillars, Integration, Organisation and National Commitment; 8-year old boy consultation) The FAO models - Virtual Extension Research and Communication Network (VERCON); Rural Radio; Farmers Information Network (FarmNET); Information Management Resource Kit (IMARK) The FAO models - Virtual Extension Research and Communication Network (VERCON); Rural Radio; Farmers Information Network (FarmNET); Information Management Resource Kit (IMARK) Women farmers in Kano now have a voice – in the polity and at home Women farmers in Kano now have a voice – in the polity and at home One-stop site for women entrepreneurs One-stop site for women entrepreneurs The National Information Society Youth Campaigns… The National Information Society Youth Campaigns…

Pro-Poor ICT Perspectives The pro-poor challenge talks of the need to meet the challenges of the bottom half of the bottom half The pro-poor challenge talks of the need to meet the challenges of the bottom half of the bottom half Teachers are key in the development of human resources and we must equip them through and with ICTs. Professional Development  Teacher Knowledge and Skills  Teacher Behaviour  Student Learning Teachers are key in the development of human resources and we must equip them through and with ICTs. Professional Development  Teacher Knowledge and Skills  Teacher Behaviour  Student Learning Literacy is not about reading/writing. The outcome of the international assessment on educational standards in Ghana (45 th ) and South Africa (46 th ) reveal that something is wrong with the way we’ve been doing things Literacy is not about reading/writing. The outcome of the international assessment on educational standards in Ghana (45 th ) and South Africa (46 th ) reveal that something is wrong with the way we’ve been doing things There’s no gainsaying the need for partnerships and supporting institutions need to have a framework for identifying those who work with the bottom half of the bottom half There’s no gainsaying the need for partnerships and supporting institutions need to have a framework for identifying those who work with the bottom half of the bottom half

ICTs and PRSPs Economic growth in nations do not necessarily translate into even poverty reduction (does the poor get better?) except there is a deliberate effort to focus on the unique needs of the poor Economic growth in nations do not necessarily translate into even poverty reduction (does the poor get better?) except there is a deliberate effort to focus on the unique needs of the poor ICTs can give a voice to the poor – including a possible opportunity to contribute to PRSP processes ICTs can give a voice to the poor – including a possible opportunity to contribute to PRSP processes Nations need to own the process of locating the relationship between ICTs and poverty reduction Nations need to own the process of locating the relationship between ICTs and poverty reduction Geoinformation tools can help in poverty reduction – poverty mapping and intervention planning Geoinformation tools can help in poverty reduction – poverty mapping and intervention planning There is a need for actors to work with the poor themselves in order to understand needs There is a need for actors to work with the poor themselves in order to understand needs

Way Forward Identify and support catalystic actors by building a bridge between their planned action and needs Identify and support catalystic actors by building a bridge between their planned action and needs The ECA-led intervention on NICI/PRSP integration is commendable and should be supported in all 53 countries, with support from the highest level possible The ECA-led intervention on NICI/PRSP integration is commendable and should be supported in all 53 countries, with support from the highest level possible The bottom half of the bottom half need to be brought onto the development train The bottom half of the bottom half need to be brought onto the development train There is an evident need to give more attention to youth empowerment, especially young women and rural youth There is an evident need to give more attention to youth empowerment, especially young women and rural youth We need to identify the opportunity to create local content, expressed in an appropriate local language and within a local context We need to identify the opportunity to create local content, expressed in an appropriate local language and within a local context

MERCI ‘Gbenga Sesan Team Leader Paradigm Initiative Nigeria | African WSIS Preparatory Meeting – Accra January Accra, Ghana