The new generation rising up in Africa
The new generation rising up in Africa
What are the greatest challenges for the next generation rising up in Africa?
This new generation arising in Africa now has opportunities that were never possible before this time and age.
Demographics ( the study of populations and the different groups that make them up)
Tells us that rising inequality and a fragile global economy are arguably our greatest challenge for the next century.
In in the past, the fight to tackle these challenges took place at the national level, today, it will be cities that will determine how much progress we make. That is because many of these challenges affect our cities and larger towns.
Accross the Western world, aging and shrinking populations and an erosion of the social effect between the retired people and the younger people seeking job opportunities has distorted labour and economic practices
The extra challenge for Africans is that of a post-colonial imigary., which has several features.
One is the desire to reclaim the pre-colonial way of life by promoting alternate ways of governance, this has been referred to as the "African Way" which is quite different to the Westerners way of doing government.
The second feature of this post-colonial imaginary involves an assertion of African interests and increased national chauvinism. At the same time, it also involves an emergent youth that is both agile and increasingly technocratically-equipped in ways that the previous generation were not.
On a personal level, Even in the 21 years that I have been visiting Africa I have seen some remarkable changes in the way things are done and the way the people think.
Millions of children accross Africa are now being educated and taught godly principles and values. These are the ones who will become doctors and lawyers, teachers and business entrepreneurs.
I see this as a way in which changes will be implemented and Africa will become a continant to be reckoned with and is far from a lost continant which some people believe it is.
I believe that through action research and developmental partnerships, opportunities will continiue for the people of Africa to rise up and move out of their lifestyle of hunger and poverty through sustainably intensive farming systems that will improve food, nutrition and income security, especially for women and children and will improve the natural resource base.
Recent Comments
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Hey Sylvia,
Thanks for sharing. Youth can change a community in ways we never thought.
Tried and True
Elaine
Youth is the energy of Africa. They will make
greatness to this continent.
Thanks for your positive post!
Ingrid
If I would see some group of African people like our indigenous culture, it took us around forty years to make a change in our perception and engagements in life.
Thanks for your post, SylviaSuhr! I feel so bad whenever I remember Africa, the present generation and the one not yet born. But I guess Africa is suffering from a lack of truth. Once the truth becomes the order of the day in Africa, things will start to grow up again and children will continue to flourish from generation to generation. Thanks for the great work!
Israel Olatunji
Hello Sylvia, does your blog refer to the whole of the continent or specific countries? I know there are several countries that are heavily affected by poverty and hunger, but surely there are also countries that are doing well?
Hi Harvey, I suppose that is a general view of Africa and this is the case in all of the countries I have visited. I have seen sich a vast division of the rich and poor everywhere I have been.
Malawi, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and Nigeria.
Thanks for your comment
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Thanks for sharing Sylvia,
I’m glad to hear that the youth of Africa are becoming educated in ways to make a positive difference overall.
I would love to hear more stories of progress and successful achievements coming from African nations as opposed to what has happened in the past.
They are strong and proud people, and if they’re able to join together they will accomplish great things!
Blessings,
KyleAnn
Thank you. Yes we are very hopeful for the future. We have hundreds of children that we are supporting in Kenya so that they can make a difference to society there.