Africa has made positive strides in this area, with South Africa being commended during the speech for its efficiency in distributing antiretroviral drugs over the last four years. Just last week, UNAIDS announced that, over the past decade, the  rate of new HIV infections has dropped by more than half in 25 low-and-middle-income countries, most of them in Sub-Saharan Africa.  Zimbabwe registered a 50 percent reduction; Namibia, a 68 percent reduction; and Malawi, a 73 percent reduction in the rate of new infections.

The beginning of the end of an AIDS ridden generation seems to be here. A lot of effort still needs to be invested into the project but the goal is achievable. Soon all the horrors of AIDS will be forgotten and the world we are all looking forward to, for ourselves and the future generation. 

References: 

 http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/2012/11/29/world-bank-group-president-praises-new-us-blueprint-aids-free-generation?cid=EXT_TWBN_D_EXT

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2012/11/201116.htm

http://www.businessweek.com/ap/2012-11-29/clinton-releases-road-map-for-aids-free-generation

Starring - Mickey Rourke, Kim Basinger, Anne Heche, Fred Amata, Wyclef Jean, Akon, Enyinna Nwigwe, Sarah Wayne Callies, Dede Mabiaku, Persia White, Vivica A Fox , Mbong Amata

However, the challenges to online business on the continent have not hampered interest by major online travel agencies. As interest in tourism to Africa increases and the internet becomes more accessible on the continent, these companies see a major opportunity to expand their markets. In fact, the popular travel site Expedia has even gone so far to open a new office whose sole purpose is to focus on African travel. Many businesses which offer travel accommodation on the continent are jumping through hoops to offer online booking as “international travelers have credit cards and increasingly expect to be able to book online.” A survey also found that nearly “50% of Americans read an online review before booking internationally” giving those who have an online presence a major advantage.

The major obstacles for African businesses who wish to get involved with e-tourism are primarily related to the lack of online tools and experience necessary to become involved with the online markets. Expensive bandwidth costs and slow connection speeds can hamper the availability of e-tourism as online travel agencies require “a reservation system that offers real-time availability.” Successful e-commerce also requires marketing tools and expertise, which now requires more and more presence on social media sites. These problems are being overcome by increasing the awareness of e-tourism’s profitability, availability of “real-time software reservations system[s]” and training for online marketing strategies. One company, e-Tourism Frontiers, has capitalized on the disparity between the desire to become involved with e-tourism and the lack of availability and experience required to do so on the continent. They set up conferences in different regions between online travel agencies and all types of accommodation, from major hotel chains to small backpackers, in order to bring the two together.

As the internet becomes more accessible throughout Africa and bandwidth costs decrease, Africa’s travel accommodation is becoming increasingly accessible online. The evolution towards e-tourism has been the fastest in South Africa, mostly due to the race to prepare for the World Cup, but is expected to spread across the continent. Even in Africa’s remote travel destinations e-tourism has begun to take root. For example, one game reserve in Uganda has already created Facebook pages for their Gorillas which include a link to online booking for interested travelers. The potential for increased tourism through online booking is an accessible and exciting prospect for Africa’s growing economies.

Reference: Southwood, Russell. "E-Tourism in the Continent Starts Spreading Post World Cup." Balancing Act. AllAfrica.com, 3 June 2011. <http://allafrica.com/stories/printable/201106060402.html>.

Additional Information

An article from Business Daily titled “Battle for clients goes hi-tech as airlines turn to smartphones”: http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/-/539444/1177236/-/122hfe6z/-/

A video from the ‘E-Tourism Africa Summit 2009’: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ET1w4l-g5KQ

Discussion Questions

1.       Do you believe markets must be online in order to be competitive? Which markets in particular?

2.       Do you think aid aimed at increasing internet access wasteful or necessary to develop economies? Where is internet access on the priority list?

3.       What other benefits, besides increased tourism, can a community or a household gain from internet access in developing countries? 

E-tourism, or the ability to book hotel, flight and other travel reservations online, accounts for about 56 percent of global travel today. Yet as late as 2005, e-tourism accounted for less than “2 percent of tourism revenues in Africa.” However, the disparity seems to be narrowing due to South Africa’s hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup when online booking jumped to 5 percent. Now, continued growth is expected and projections predict that the percentage of bookings made online throughout Africa will reach “15-20 percent by 2015.” Although there remain challenges to overcome before more of Africa’s hotels, parks and resorts are available for reservation online such as “high cost of bandwidth, the lack of integrated, real-time reservation systems and local online payment gateways.”

However, the challenges to online business on the continent have not hampered interest by major online travel agencies. As interest in tourism to Africa increases and the internet becomes more accessible on the continent, these companies see a major opportunity to expand their markets. In fact, the popular travel site Expedia has even gone so far to open a new office whose sole purpose is to focus on African travel. Many businesses which offer travel accommodation on the continent are jumping through hoops to offer online booking as “international travelers have credit cards and increasingly expect to be able to book online.” A survey also found that nearly “50% of Americans read an online review before booking internationally” giving those who have an online presence a major advantage.

The major obstacles for African businesses who wish to get involved with e-tourism are primarily related to the lack of online tools and experience necessary to become involved with the online markets. Expensive bandwidth costs and slow connection speeds can hamper the availability of e-tourism as online travel agencies require “a reservation system that offers real-time availability.” Successful e-commerce also requires marketing tools and expertise, which now requires more and more presence on social media sites. These problems are being overcome by increasing the awareness of e-tourism’s profitability, availability of “real-time software reservations system[s]” and training for online marketing strategies. One company, e-Tourism Frontiers, has capitalized on the disparity between the desire to become involved with e-tourism and the lack of availability and experience required to do so on the continent. They set up conferences in different regions between online travel agencies and all types of accommodation, from major hotel chains to small backpackers, in order to bring the two together.

As the internet becomes more accessible throughout Africa and bandwidth costs decrease, Africa’s travel accommodation is becoming increasingly accessible online. The evolution towards e-tourism has been the fastest in South Africa, mostly due to the race to prepare for the World Cup, but is expected to spread across the continent. Even in Africa’s remote travel destinations e-tourism has begun to take root. For example, one game reserve in Uganda has already created Facebook pages for their Gorillas which include a link to online booking for interested travelers. The potential for increased tourism through online booking is an accessible and exciting prospect for Africa’s growing economies.

Reference: Southwood, Russell. "E-Tourism in the Continent Starts Spreading Post World Cup." Balancing Act. AllAfrica.com, 3 June 2011. <http://allafrica.com/stories/printable/201106060402.html>.

Additional Information

An article from Business Daily titled “Battle for clients goes hi-tech as airlines turn to smartphones”: http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/-/539444/1177236/-/122hfe6z/-/

A video from the ‘E-Tourism Africa Summit 2009’: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ET1w4l-g5KQ

Discussion Questions

1.       Do you believe markets must be online in order to be competitive? Which markets in particular?

2.       Do you think aid aimed at increasing internet access wasteful or necessary to develop economies? Where is internet access on the priority list?

3.       What other benefits, besides increased tourism, can a community or a household gain from internet access in developing countries? 

The widespread destabilizing effects of malaria have become a thing of the past on the island of Zanzibar of the coast of East Africa. However, this was not always the case, but has been achieved through determined efforts by the government and the international community. The results are staggering. In 2002, just before Zanzibar’s strong initiative to prevent the disease took root, one small clinic in Matemwe village of the Unguja region was treating about 3,063 cases a year. From 2006 to 2010, only 31 cases were reported, an incredible feat in just a few years. What’s even more incredible is that Zanzibar’s efforts utilized solutions that are well known, commonly utilized, and can be made available across the world, including “insecticide- treated bed nets, widespread home spraying, rapid diagnostic kits, lifesaving drugs and public education.”

Zanzibar’s success in malaria prevention can be attributed to careful planning, sufficient funding and a sustained commitment. Reduction in malaria infections gained significant gains in 2004 after healthcare officials recognized the disease’s resistance on the island to chloroquine, one of the most commonly used malaria treatment drugs, and halted its distribution switching to the more effective ACTs. This was followed by a comprehensive initiative derived and closely modeled after the World Health Organization’s, “Roll Back Malaria.” In 2005 alone, “about 200,000 homes in Zanzibar were sprayed in three waves, and over 230,000 nets were given out.” Clinics were also given a major boost to detect the disease with the distribution of over 100,000 diagnostic kits. In addition to the WHO’s outline for combating the disease, Zanzibar has established a “Malaria Early Epidemic Detection System,” which “monitor[s] new cases at 52 of Zanzibar’s 150 health facilities.” This system operates by clinics sending text messages to a central server with information on the number of patients tested and diagnosed with malaria. The data is then analyzed, out of ordinary increases are reported, and the relevant areas are then checked and monitored for mosquito breeding grounds. Zanzibar’s success has shown that with proper planning, swift implementation and enough funding malaria rates can be reduced dramatically in a short period of time.

Although efforts have been successful in reducing the prevalence of malaria from about 35 percent in 2008 to just below 1 percent today, many are concerned that this accomplishment could be overturned.  The greatest challenges reside in “disease monitoring, behavior change and funding.” Disease monitoring is important when the rate of malarial infection decreases and populations lose a natural immune resistance to the disease. However, difficulties in monitoring often stem from technical errors which hamper data collection. As populations perceive a lower risk from malaria, attention to behavior change becomes increasingly important. Individuals may not recognize the continued importance of using bed nets, keeping the environment clean or getting tested for the disease. Some officials are concerned that funding from initiatives meant to ramp up efforts to reach Millennium Development Goals by 2015 may drop after that year or sooner due to the program’s success. As Abdullah Suleiman, Manager of Zanzibar’s Malaria Control Programme reminds, “prevalence was reduced to 1-2 percent in the 1970s, and then people relaxed” illustrating the need to remain vigilant in combating the disease.

Reference: Tambwe, Anthony. "Zanzibar Moves to Mobile Phones in Tackling, Eliminating Malaria."AllAfrica.com. Tanzania Daily News, 28 May 2011. <http://allafrica.com/stories/201105311233.html>.

Additional Information

The President’s Malaria Initiative’s website on Zanzibar: http://www.fightingmalaria.gov/countries/profiles/zanzibar.html

An article from the BBC titled “Zanzibar’s battle with malaria”: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4942362.stm

An article from the Washington Post titled “Zanzibar’s Example In Fighting Malaria”: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2008/02/18/ST2008021802418.html

A 2008 report from ‘Africa Fighting Malaria’ on “Keeping Malaria Out of Zanzibar” http://www.fightingmalaria.org/pdfs/AFM_Zanzibar_March08.pdf

Discussion Questions

1.       Can other countries learn from Zanzibar’s malaria prevention efforts or are the characteristics that allowed for success unique to the island?

2.       Do you think malaria can be prevented in all areas of the earth? What are the major reasons that have circumvented this goal thus far? What are reasonable changes that can make malaria prevention more successful?

3.       What is the best way to ensure continued prevention, detection and treatment of malaria in a region that has been able to control the disease?

4.       What is the best way to distribute with malaria funding? Should regions which have been able to control the disease be given less money or should those fund be used in areas which have not yet been able to accomplish this?

The Africa Society of the National Summit on Africa
invites you to join us for a special briefing

Featuring:

The Honorable Amara Konneh
Minister of Planning and Development
Government of the Republic of Liberia

The Honorable Augustine K. Ngafuan
Minister of Finance
Government of the Republic of Liberia

Discussant: Pearl Alice Marsh, Ph.D.
Senior Democratic Foreign Affairs Staff Member
House Committee on Foreign Affairs

Moderator: Bernadette Paolo, Esq.
President and CEO, The Africa Society

The Honorable Amara Konneh, Liberia’s Minister of Planning and Economic Affairs, and
the Honorable Augustine K. Ngafuan, Liberia’s Minister of Finance, will be in Washington
to discuss the economic, political, and social gains in Liberia as well as the continued
challenges the country faces. The Ministers will pay special attention to the
upcoming National elections in October of 2011.

Date: Tuesday May 24, 2011
Time: 2:00-3:00pm
Venue: Capitol Hill
2255 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

To RSVP, please provide your name and affiliation to
Aisha Nzibo at anzibo@africasummit.org or call 202-232-3862

The worldwide effort to reduce carbon emissions is having a profound effect on the type of stoves used in Uganda. Carbon financing has allowed on small company to produce and provide efficient cooking stoves to Ugandans, saving money, resources and the environment. Ugastove, a thriving producer of energy efficient stoves based in Kampala, has provided over 300,000 homes with their product. The stoves “have a thick clay lining that holds in the heat of burning charcoal and cooks food more efficiently…[and] use only half as much fuel as conventional stoves, saving a family the equivalent of 80 dollars a year.” The stove’s reduced charcoal usage is also making a significant impact on the environment as “more than 98 percent of Ugandans rely on charcoal or firewood as an energy source.” A reduction in the consumption of these resources has the potential so save “tens of thousands of hectares of trees.”

Although the promise of more efficient stoves is great, Ugastove has had to find creative ways to overcome the challenges of selling a more expensive product to those with limited resources. Although a more efficient stove saves the user a significant amount in fuel costs, many household find it difficult or impossible to make the initial investment – a Ugastove costs about $26 (US) while a more traditional stove sells for only 2 US dollars. The company has begun to overcome this difficulty by finding support from carbon finance or “credit for the emissions reductions” to make the stoves more affordable. A nonprofit organization, “Impact Carbon,” which “specializes in quantifying emissions reductions and developing business models” for carbon reduction projects responded to the call and has aided Ugastove in selling carbon credits for its work. After successfully meeting Impact Carbon’s requirements, including “monthly and quarterly spot-checks on the sales, production, inventory records of Ugastoves…[as well as] quarterly kitchen surveys in households which use Ugastove to determine the stove’s fuel efficiency in the kitchen conditions,” the company has gained recognition from the Gold Standard Foundation which “operates a certification scheme for carbon credits” and has allowed the company to begin selling carbon credits to international corporations.

Ugastove has now sold credits to the luxury car manufacturer, Land Rover, at a rate of “nine dollars for every ton of CO2 offset by one of their units.” The company has been able to significantly increase production and lower the costs of the stoves to eight dollars with the money gained from selling the carbon credits. This is not to mention the offset of the emissions generated by Land Rovers which can be achieved by provided two families with the more efficient stoves for every one vehicle on the road. Many Ugastove users are also happy with the new efficient stoves which allow them to save money on fuel costs after the initial investment. Less fuel consumption is also saving the country’s forests as the demand for wood and other biomass decreases.

Reference: Michael, Wambi. "Stoves Saving On Fuel to Save Forests." Inter Press Service. AllAfrica.com, 16 May 2011. Web. <http://allafrica.com/stories/201105161842.html>.

Additional Information

An article from the UN titled “World’s poorest countries better placed for transition to green economy – UN report”: http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=38317&Cr=least+developed&Cr1=

A short documentary on the impact of Energy Efficient Stoves: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bd9ynVHAIFM

An Article from Pambazuka News titled “The Hype Versus the Reality of Carbon Markets”: http://allafrica.com/stories/201105130703.html

Discussion Questions

1.       Who do you think benefits the most from projects like this?

2.       Do you think the initial investment of more energy efficient and environmentally friendly products is a deterrent for their use? Is this true for rich communities, poor communities or both? Can you think of any creative ways to offset the initial cost?

3.       Is the responsibility to reduce carbon emissions on more developed countries or developing countries? Can an appropriate and fair partnership be reached?

One company in Ghana has recently discovered that fighting malaria and increasing worker productivity go hand in hand. Throughout the world, Malaria “kills almost 800, 000 adults and children worldwide, 90% of them in Africa” yet is a totally preventable and curable disease when the appropriate medication is available. These deplorable figures are in addition to the estimated cost of “$12 billion annually in lost productivity” due to malaria plaguing the African workforce. AngloGold Ashanti, a gold mining and marketing company based in Johannesburg, South Africa, has shifted their malaria policy from reactionary to preventative in an attempt to increase worker productivity. Their program targets malaria prevention not only for their own employees, but for the entire community. Their efforts have led to “massive reductions in productivity losses, school absenteeism, infant mortality and treatment costs.”

Malaria is a serious obstacle for AngloGold Ashanti’s business in Ghana as it can be for many companies operating throughout Africa.  Steve Knowles, AngloGold Ashanti’s Director for Malaria Control, even went so far to say that “there was no doubt that malaria was the biggest threat to us as a company.” In fact, “in 2005 the Obuasi Mine Hospital was seeing a staggering average of 6,800 malaria patients per month, of a workforce of 8,000.” This resulted in nearly “7,500 man shifts lost per month” and a cost to the company of “$55,500 per month” for malaria treatment medication. After the implementation of the company’s new preventative policy, which “consisted of killing the mosquitoes through indoor residual spraying, preventing the mosquitoes from biting with nets, screening and repellants, controlling breeding via environmental management and anti-malarial drugs…the average monthly cost of treatment has… declined from $55,000 to just over $6,000 and the lost man-days due to malaria has been reduced from almost 7,000 per month to just over 160.” This is not to mention the effects of the program in the larger community which has experienced “an average decline of over 5, 800 cases per month (75%)” as well as a 70 percent increase in school attendance and a reduction in malaria caused infant mortality rate to zero.

The project’s success has attracted attention from the Ghanaian government and international organizations. Ghana has recently partnered with AngloGold Ashanti and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria to “scale up” the program’s model and increase its reach to 40 new districts throughout the country. Knowles also commented on Ghana’s “very robust health system and infrastructure” which provided doctors, nurses and clinics for the area and allowed the program to be implemented in the first place. Although the treatment of malaria, and other diseases which disproportionately affect the poor, are often seen as humanitarian exercises with insurmountable costs, this program demonstrates that addressing diseases like malaria are actually cost effective and in the economic interest of private companies and worldwide industries.

Resource:  Thom, Anso. "Ghana: Malaria Investment Pays Off." Health-e News Service. AllAfrica.com, 5 May 2011. <http://allafrica.com/stories/201105091214.html>.

Additional Information

A report from Roll Back Malaria, “Business Investing in Malaria Control: Economic Returns and a Healthy Workforce for Africa”:  http://www.rollbackmalaria.org/ProgressImpactSeries/report6.html

An article on the cost of malaria to Africa: http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsworld.php?id=584465

An article from ‘Modern Ghana’ on the economic benefits of malaria control: http://www.modernghana.com/news/327494/1/new-report-shows-that-private-sector-investment-in.html

Discussion Questions

1.       Do you think realizing the economic benefits of malaria control will have a big influence on the eradication of the disease? Why or why not?

2.       What types of communities will benefit from private industry sponsored malaria control efforts? Which will not?

3.       Who should take primary responsibility for reducing the impact of malaria on Africa countries? Why?

Some Rwandan’s may soon be deriving large amounts of relatively inexpensive electricity from an uncommon source, Lake Kivu. The lake is large, 1,000 square miles, and deep, with a maximum depth of 1,575 ft.  However, its unique characteristic is “the rich supplies of methane gas that are lying in its depths.” The methane is a result of area volcanoes and anaerobic bacteria, and there is an estimated 60 billion cubic meters of it trapped deep below the surface. The trapped gas has traditionally been viewed as a local hazard but is now being seen as a potential energy source in a region which is hampered by shortages. The Rwandan government has launched a pilot program which has already begun to extract methane from the lake in the hopes of attracting investors.

This type of energy production is especially attractive for the Rwandan government because it isn’t exported, but derived from Rwanda’s own resources. The mechanisms for extracting underwater methane are also cheaper than those of hydro or thermal plants. The methane extraction process involves lowering a pipe so that it is positioned just above the gas. Then, “when a valve is opened, the deep water flows up and the gas bubbles out.” The project has already attracted investment from an energy company in the U.S., ContourGlobal, which has plans to develop an energy production plant on site. The company expects to produce 25 megawatts of electricity in about a year and increased production to 100 megawatts after the initial phases have proven successful. This would “double the 95 megawatts that Rwanda currently produces from all sources,” allowing for more development, industrialization and a better quality of life.

This project may have a major impact on Rwanda’s economic growth. Although the country’s economy has been steadily growing since the ending of the civil war in 1993, development has been hampered by a shortage of electricity. This is not to mention the effects that rolling blackout can have on individual homes and the larger society. As Vincent Karega, Rwanda’s Minister of Infrastructure explains, “We are trying to solve the quality of life problem because we have no energy — it is difficult to cool the vaccines, the medicines, to store and package food, to process it… So energy is key for all of the socio-economic transformation." Innovative and sustainable energy resources have the potential to unlock a host of new possibilities for Rwanda and other developing nations across Africa.

Reference: McKenzie, David. "’Exploding Lake’ Could Power Economic ‘revolution’" CNN International. Cable News Network, 4 May 2011. <http://edition.cnn.com/2011/BUSINESS/05/04/rwanda.kivu.exploding.methane/index.html>.

Additional Information

A paper from UNEP on the “Poverty-environment-energy linkages in Rwanda”: http://www.unpei.org/PDF/Rwanda-Pov-env-energy-linkages.pdf

An article on geothermal energy in Rwanda: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-05-04/rwanda-plans-to-start-sinking-geothermal-wells-has-700-mws.html

A short article from UNDP on “Environment and Energy” in Rwanda: http://www.undp.org.rw/Energy_and_Environment.html

A short video on the Lake Kivu energy project among others: http://blip.tv/file/5106490

Discussion Questions

1. How important is electricity to your life? Do you think you could continue to function normally with only a few hours without electricity at night? What about no electricity at all? How would things change?

2. Can you think of ways to identify and exploit sources of clean, cheap, renewable energy for other developing countries? What kind of support would these countries need from those that are more developed?

3. What support can you provide to help solve the energy crisis around the world?

On Thursday, April 28, 2011 at the Embassy of Ghana, The Africa Society of the National Summit on Africa held the first Ambassador Andrew Young lecture series of 2011 entitled “Youth, The Vanguard for Change,” featuring Mr. Michael Blake, Associate Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement and Deputy Associate Director of the Office of Inter-governmental Affairs as well as Ms. Karen Richardson, Associate Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement. The speakers emphasized the importance of realizing the potential and promise of youth populations, both in the United States and abroad.

His Excellency Daniel Ohene Agyekum, the Ambassador of the Embassy of Ghana and host of the event, provided welcoming remarks while Bernadette Paolo, President and CEO of The Africa Society, served as the Mistress of Ceremony. Joy Scott, a student from School Without Walls in Washington, DC set the electrifying tone of the program with the recitation of a poem written by Lauren Hill, “Motives & Thoughts.” Her classmates, Joy Scott and Bryan King introduced Mr. Michael Blake and Ms. Karen Richardson respectively. The students were excellent representatives of the next generation and their inspiration provided the audience with much hope for the future.

Mr. Blake’s remarks focused on the potential and promise of the next generation. He thanked the youth for being the “generation that will get our people to the next level” and reminded the older members of the audience that it is their responsibility to empower those who come after them. He called on the youth to help lead a paradigm shift in how Americans think and talk about Africa and those of African descent. He spoke about the importance of not letting “our present circumstances define us.” He also emphasized that the youth of today are a necessary and integral component in generating the kind of change we want to see in the societies of tomorrow. He cited the youth led movements in Tunisia as an example of this. He explained, through the words of President Obama, the fundamental interconnectedness of Africa and its peoples to the United States and the greater world at large. Mr. Blake charged the youth to become leaders and inspiration for the rest of the world and gave a moving testimony on his own life experience to inspire the youth to realize their full potential.

Ms. Richardson’s speech focused on the role of youth as a “significant catalyst for political and social change” both domestically and internationally. Ms. Richardson cited the example of the 2008 presidential election in the U.S which saw the largest voter turnout in 3 decades as well as the international example of how a pan Arabic youth movement dedicated to democracy led to a 4 week uprising in Tunisia and culminated in the end of the 23 year and 30 year rule of the Presidents of Tunisia and Egypt respectively. Ms. Richardson also referenced other key youth led movements in African history, such as the formation of an ANC youth league in 1944 by a 26 year old Nelson Mandela and his peers, instrumental in bringing an end to apartheid. Ms. Richardson defined youth populations as being “at the center” of all these changes. Ms. Richardson highlighted the important and undeniable fact that we live in an increasingly globalized world which means that what happens in other countries has significance for us here at home and world at large. Additionally, Ms. Richardson provided insight into President Obama’s outlook on the subject of “Youth as the Vanguard of Change”, reiterating a prior quote by the President that “not only that youth are at the forefront of change but that they are necessary and key active players as change agents.” As well as the importance of civic responsibility engagement by African governments among their young populations to help realize the vision of a peaceful and prosperous Africa.

The night ended with a question and answer session, where both speakers offered substantive and inspirational remarks. After the speakers had finished, The Africa Society Fellows, Ms. Sarah Kuruswo and Aisha Nzibo presented both Mr. Blake and Ms. Richardson with awards for their participation in the Ambassador Andrew Young Lecture Series.