In December, I was selected to attend the annual World Bank Youth Summit in Washington D. C. As a delegate at the summit I was offered a unique opportunity to enrich the conversation around building a sustainable and resilient society for all: this also being in line with this year’s theme: Smarter Cities For a Resilient Future.
Undoubtedly, the gathering mobilized a pool of young change makers from all over the world in exploring innovative ideas to tackle emerging development challenges, as well as providing youth the tools to build and engage in impactful projects, and, more importantly promote dialogue between youth, the World Bank and other key stakeholders globally. It’s insightful to witness the quality of thoughts and strategic collaboration that is happening already. The lightening talks, panel sessions, focus groups, guest appearance and networking has been both solid and topnotch.
The 2019 WBG Youth Summit has incredibly provided the opportunity for youth actors around the world to contribute to global discussion as well as, positioning youth actors to actively learn how to develop a concept into a smart-city solution. These solutions leverage the intersection of technology, infrastructure, human development, and sustainable development for cities, all of which will impact the future of our youth and generations to come.
Incredibly glad to join a community of high social change makers who are now taking massive action to improve their local communities. With the forecast that by 2030, “two-thirds of the world’s population will live in cities, and a third of the world’s population will be housed in cities with 1 million or more inhabitants” – its imperative that we begin to approach today’s complex problems from a totally new perspective.
Indeed, at the centre of local and international development is the young world. Today’s youth are the drivers of smart, inclusive and resilient innovations; these interventions are now more than necessary to create an enabling environments for human growth, sustainable economic development, high standards of living, and the improvement of all aspects of community life.
We must continue to build the capacity of young people so they in turn, with the right resources change their communities for good. To all 21st century emerging young leaders, let’s continue to think smart, Inclusive, resilient and, as well as develop a business case for sustainability in whatever solutions we may be designing for our collective future.Congratulations to the finalists whose ideas and solutions will soon disrupt the African landscape , and looking forward to the outcome of the interventions cum remarkable innovations of this young leaders.
Let’s lead with the end in mind! We are the ones the world has been waiting for.
Fidelis Bonaventure Uzoma is a leadership consultant, personal growth strategist and human capital development professional with over six years of experience within the training and leadership development sector in Nigeria. Fidelis is the Executive Director at Diplo-Age where he designs, coordinates, and manages capacity building projects, talent acceleration, career readiness, and professional development programs for start-ups, entrepreneurs living with disabilities, college graduates, corporate organizations, NGOs, and educational institutes. He is also as a founding member of Youth Aid Development Foundation (YADF), a nonprofit that provides economic empowerment opportunities, job assistance, and psycho-social support programs for at-risk youth and persons with disabilities in Africa. Fidelis has a Masters in Diplomacy and Strategic Studies, and currently serves as an Atlas Corps Fellow at the Obama Foundation, Washington DC, working with the International Team in designing, developing, and deploying high-impact leadership programs in Africa, Asia, and Europe.
