CHOMBA MUSIKA
Lusaka
MORE than 500 young people are expected to converge in Lusaka next month for the inaugural Grow Zambia Agenda Summit to discuss how they can contribute to the country’s development and economic growth.
The summit, scheduled for November 28, will bring together young professionals, government representatives, private sector players, civil society organisations and international partners under the theme ‘#ShowUp: Placing youth at the centre of Zambia’s growth’.
It has been organised by BeRelevant Afrika, a leadership development institution focused on nurturing a generation of African leaders capable of addressing the continent’s challenges.
Summit chairperson and convenor Mwila Bwanga said the meeting will provide a platform for young people to contribute to discussions on the Grow Zambia Agenda and ensure their voices are considered in development planning.
“The whole purpose of the summit is for us to bring young people into the conversation of the Grow Zambia Agenda.
“Oftentimes, when policies are being framed in the corridors of power, young people are not in that room,” Mr Bwanga said in an interview.
He said the gathering will give young people an opportunity to participate meaningfully in shaping Zambia’s growth agenda.
“For me, all I want is just to provide young people that platform for them to be able to be in the room, contribute to the growth agenda.”
Mr Bwanga, a former national youth delegate for Zambia to the Commonwealth Youth Council, said the meeting will encourage young people to critically assess their readiness to contribute to national development.
He said participants will discuss whether they have the skills needed to drive the country’s growth, how to address any skills gaps and the business opportunities available to them under the development agenda.
Mr Bwanga said the platform will also explore ways of ensuring that the Grow Zambia Agenda achieves its core objectives rather than becoming another development plan. https://enews.daily-mail.co.zm/welcome/home