BACKGROUND
Dr. Varindra Vittachi, a Sri-Lankan journalist and international civil servant who saved in the UN for many years as Deputy Executive of UNICEF and Assistant Secretary General of the United Nation. In honor of the noble man, in June 2001, the first Varindra Tarzie Vittachi International Youth Conference was held under the theme “Educating the Human Future”. The host was Atlet Century Ho
tel in Jakarta, and 250 participants were in attendance from across the glob. Underpinning the conference, was the focus on creating settings where young people can interact, share and challenge each other to create an international committed to dynamic life long and experiential learning to face the many challenges. Central to the conference was the recognition of adults that would uplift the spirits of young people through mentorship. To date three conferences of such magnitude have been held and the themes were as followed;
a) June 2001 “Educating our Human Future” Jakarta, Indonesia
b) August 2003 “Learning to live Personally Sustainable Life” Colorado, USA
c) July 2006 “Rethinking Educational Change” Infrane, Morocco
It is from the above exposure, experience, training and mentorship that Mr. Munyaradzi Muzenda an active youth worker from Zimbabwe was inspired to implement the project called AFRICA SPEAKS. Hugh Lynn, of New Zealand and who was a staff member during the Vittachi Conference has been mentoring and standing by Mr. Muzenda has been enabled to Network with all the SADC and Eastern African nations through which Africa Speaks has created a resource of leadership and resourceful creative arts programs. Africa Speaks focuses on building awareness among young people in Africa and in the Diaspora to celebrate being African and envision the beauty, heritage and sustaining the future of Africa. The main objectives of Africa Speaks are;
a) To market and promote the beauty, heritage and cultures of Africans using the gifts and the an untapped talents of its young people. b) To deal with prejudices conduct awareness, and convince the world about the true reality of the African Continent. c) To develop and record an accurate African story as seen in the eyes of its young men and women. d) To facilitate Enterprise Development Programs among young people in Africa. With the support from Mr. Hugh Lynn, a mentor, and resource mobilization by country leadership, six events have been held has followed;
a) October 2001 “1st Africa Speaks Conference” Great Zimbabwe, Masvingo
b) September 2002 “Strategic Planning Workshop” Kariba, Zambia/Zimbabwe
c) July 2004 “Applying Best Practices in Cotton Production” Mumbwa, Zambia
d) December 2004 “2st Africa Speaks Conference” Marondera, Zimbabwe
e) March 2013 “Moving Arts Planning Meeting” Lusaka, Zambia
f) March 2013 “The Power of Moving Arts in Leadership” Matero, Zambia
The driving force for Africa Speaks is the works of Guerrand Hermes Foundation for Peace, Dr. Varindra Vittachi, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Dr. Kenneth Kaunda, Mr. Nelson Madiba Mandela, Professor Mazoroi, and many such activists, revolutionaries who made Africa be rebated and protected from extinction of its cultures, beliefs and values. ISSUE ANALYSIS
Recent years have witnessed dramatic changes and influences in the lives of young people in Africa, as elsewhere in across continents. Changes in livelihoods, cultural practices, technology transfer, and shifts in the nature of family and intimate relationships, have combined to make transitions to adulthood more diverse, complex and unequal than in previous generations. The negative impact on these developments needs governments to respond efficiently and effectively to the needs of young people. The changing experiences of youth has contributed to the transformation in ways of thinking about and organizing services and programs for young people. As out lined in the Commonwealth Youth Policy, The UNESCO, the National Youth Policies and the Youth Chatters all advocate for the participation and embracing the rights of young people as key elements of the world development equation. For example, the African Youth Chatter does not only provide the Governments, Youth, and Civil Society and International Partners with continental framework, which underpins the rights, duties, and freedoms of youth. It also paves the way for development of national programs and strategic plans for youth empowerment. However, Africa Governments have had challenges to meeting all the needs of young people due to numerous factors. These factors arise from such influences as changes in the political landscape, inadequate human resources, inadequate resources to reach all the needs of young people, corruption and many others. Young people have continued to lead impoverished livelihoods. The situation of young people is a breathing social volcano that will soon or later explode to an uncontrollable scale. Africa Speaks is determined to contribute to African Governments strategies to engage young people in productive programs that will use Art and Cultural promotions as a vehicle to sustainability and uplifting the African spirit of belonging and existence. The promotion of MOVING ARTS will review the untold story of Africa. THE PROJECT
The main purpose of Afrika Speaks International Moving Arts, Festival, Exhibition and Celebrations PROJECT is to cover African countries “affectionately to be known as The African Adventure”, targeting Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana and South Africa. TARGET
Young people of Africa
THE OBJECTIVES
1) To market and promote the natural beauty, heritage and culture of Africa and its people.
2) To identify, develop and promote skills and talents among the African young people so that they
Can reach their full potential. Key result areas:
(i) To promote an enabling environment that allow young people globally grow towards their full potential
(ii) To identify and promote talent amongst young people in Africa
(iii) To develop and document professionally the true African story. (iv) To develop and strengthen relationship, friendships and partnership at all 3 levels(individual, country and continent)
(v) To foster unity, peace, dialogue and understanding between Africa and the rest of the World. (vi) To exchange information and share experiences between Africa, Europe and Asia. (vii) To deal with real life issues, and challenges facing visionaries, talented and gifted young people and the continent at large
(viii) To turn stories, visions and dreams into potent, accessible, large scale live ad media performances that entertain while also affecting/touching the minds and souls of young and adults audiences
(ix) To nurture youth talents and voices, by providing them will tools to speak the unspoken side of Africa, address issues of relevance to them and all of us.
