This Summit taking place is Accra Ghana, May 16, 2013, explores the “how” for unlocking human potential in unemployed and underemployed youth throughout Africa. According to the World Bank 200 million people in Africa are between the ages of 15-24. The youth bulge in African countries, with over 60 percent of young people unemployed at 40 percent of the total population, the impact of this population could serve as the catalyst to revolutionize development as we now know it. This scenario has unfortunately played out recently, in Tunisia, where tragically, a young unemployed man set himself on fire in protest over his and others economic prospects—this spark led to the collapse of governments throughout North Africa, creating the contagion called “the Arab Spring”. In sub-Saharan Africa the threat is equally strong on the one hand, for unemployed youth to stray toward death and destruction, rather than harness and nurture this incredible asset as a driver of economic growth and prosperity, on the other.
But how do you get there?
The African Union adopted a youth action plan in 2011 to address high youth unemployment in Africa (AU 2011). Recommendations from the plan include stronger concentration on Technical and Vocational Education Training, also known as TVET. As a leader in human development training and TVET for over 42 years, OIC International is convening this Summit in Accra, Ghana to facilitate stakeholders’ solutions on how to harness the youth bulge as a driver for economic growth. OIC International’s, Youth Investment Summit is designed for senior-level government and private sector officials, the donor community, TVET implementers and trainers as well as entrepreneurs and investors and others interested in human potential.
Opportunities Industrialization Centers International (OIC International) is a non-profit organization headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Since 1970, OIC International has differentiated itself by creating indigenous NGOs in developing and transitional countries. OIC International uses a sustainable, community-based affiliate model by which an “owner/operator” method is used to instill ownership, consistency and sustainability. OIC International’s locally registered affiliates embody the philosophy of self-reliance and operate with an independent local board and staff. This unique affiliate model was born out of the belief that the best way to foster economic change is through the empowerment of the local community. Today OIC International is building the capacity of communities through technical and vocational training in agriculture livelihoods, health and nutrition. OIC International is a global organization with affiliates and training centers in 19 countries.
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