The document summarizes two virtual conferences organized by RCE Minna in Nigeria to bring together African youths. The first conference in 2016 focused on youth empowerment and vocational training. It had participants from several countries who discussed Africa's overdependence on single economies and high youth unemployment. The second conference in 2018 looked at challenges like poor governance, external interference, and youth disengagement that affect sustainable development. It involved youths from 8 African RCEs discussing the role of youth in achieving good governance and sustainability. Both conferences concluded entrepreneurship and networking are important to solve unemployment and develop solutions to Africa's challenges. A third conference is proposed for September 2019 on climate change and sustainable development.

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The 9th African RCE Conference
Kwaluseni, Eswatini, 5th – 7th August 2019
AFRICAN VIRTUAL CONFERENCE: RCE MINNA BRIGDING THE GAP
OF KNOWLEDGE SHARING THROUGH VIRTUAL CONFERENCE
Presented by
HAMZA, Abdullahi Na’uzo
Youth volunteer, RCE Minna, Nigeria.
www.rceminna.com.ng
1.0 INTRODUCTION
• The Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) Minna was acknowledged in
November, 2011 by the UNU-IAS.
1.0 INTRODUCTION CONT’D
• The centre has continued to operate within the context of the ESD
four (4) major thrust that bothered on the promotion and
improvement of basic education, Reorienting existing education at all
levels to address sustainable development issues, Developing public
understanding and awareness of sustainability, and training and
retraining.
• This forms the basis for the programmes and activities of the centre,
inclusive among which is the African Youth Virtual Conference in
collaboration with RCE Grand Rapids, Michigan.
2.0 WHY AFRICAN RCE YOUTH VIRTUAL CONFERENCE?
• RCE Minna in early 2016 participated in the Youth Virtual Conference
Organised by the RCE Grand Rapids Michigan, USA
• This inspired the decision by RCE Minna to bring youths from across Africa
to look in-ward and share knowledge through a virtual means on those
peculiar issues bedeviling the African Nations, its nature and dynamics with
sustainable solutions to those problems
• It led to the collaboration between RCE Minna and RCE Grand Rapids
Michigan, USA, providing the virtual platform for the conference.
2.1 YOUTH VIRTUAL CONFERENCE FOR UNU RCE 3.0 THE 1ST AFRICAN VIRTUAL CONFERENCE
• The first conference looked at
Africa’s over dependence on mono-
economy.
• Youths are majorly affected by the
aforementioned, hence the high
rate of youth unemployment.
• Lack of interest of African
governments on economic growth,
incoherent youth programmes and
little funding by government.

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3.1 1ST AFRICAN YOUTH VIRTUAL CONFERENCE
Theme: Regional Perspective on Youth Empowerment and Vocational
Training
3.2 THE 1ST AFRICAN VIRTUAL CONFERENCE
The 1st conference brought
together participants from across
the globe; they include
Netherland, Japan, India, Kenya,
Zambia, USA and Nigeria.
4.0 THE 2nd AFRICAN VIRTUAL CONFERENCE
• The 2nd meeting looked at the economic
challenges occasioned by poor
governance of the African countries
• External interference by the western
powers
• lack of transparent and accountable
leaderships, and a docile population.
• To make matters worse, Youths on the
continent, apart from taking a “back-seat
role” in the affairs and destinies of their
countries and regions, they have become
time bombs waiting to explode due their
indulgent in all sorts of vices ranging from
substance abuse to cultism and other
forms of crimes.
4.1 2nd AFRICAN YOUTH VIRTUAL CONFERENCE
Theme: Role of youth in achieving good governance, leadership and
sustainable development on the continent
4.2 THE 2nd AFRICAN VIRTUAL CONFERENCE
• The 2nd African RCE Youth Virtual
Conference brought together 8 RCEs
from Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania,
Kenya, Swaziland, Uganda, Cameroon
and Nigeria participated at the event.
• However, there were 35 participating
youths who joined from RCE Minna.
Other people from Zaria, Abuja,
Jigawa, Kwara and other parts of
Minna and Nigeria joined the events
too.
5.0 MAJOR OUTCOMES FROM THE MEETING
• That Entrepreneurship training and mentoring should be given more priority in our
learning process to solve the problem of unemployment in Africa and the world at
large.
• That networking, education (both formal, non-formal and informal) and sharing
ideas is vital to the development of African youth across all sectors.
• That Africa is indeed faced by numerous challenges. However, nobody but Africans,
especially the African youths are to find local solutions to their challenges.
• That both youth unemployment and Climate Change are global challenge, hence,
the need for Lifelong Learning to transform our society.
• That African youth should not sit and wail, but rather take up active roles in self-
empowerment and sustainability.

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6.0 WHAT NEXT?
• The 3rd African RCE Youth Virtual Conference
• Proposed for 14th September, 2019
• Call for application will be made as soon as possible
• Conference Theme:
A Regional Perspective on the Role of RCEs in Achieving SDGs 13; Climate
Change and Sustainable Development on the Continent.
7.0 CONCLUSIONS
We are hopeful that the outcomes of both conferences will be scaled up
with the appropriate authority concerned for further action in order to
prepare a roadmap for youth involvement in Education for Sustainable
Development (ESD) and as a major push for the Global Action Plan (GAP)
and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
8.0 PARTING WORDS
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can
change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
Margaret Mead
“..change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time.
we are the one’s we have been waiting for, we are the change”.
Barack Obama
Thank You for Listening