1st Inter-African Youth Entrepreneurs Exchange Programme

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1^ST INTER-AFRICAN YOUTH

ENTREPRENEURS EXCHANGE

PROGRAMME

“Youth Entrepreneurship: Cultivating partnerships for Employment Creation, Economic Growth, and Development in Africa.”

17^th- 21^st of November 2014

SKILLS VILLAGE, JOHANNESBURG- SOUTH AFRICA

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

Afro Global Youth Exchange in partnership with the 2014 Global Entrepreneurship Week will be host the 1st Inter-African Youth Entrepreneurs Exchange from November 17— 21, 2014, in Johannesburg, South Africa.

We would like to cordially invite you to nominate and sponsor competent and promising participants between the ages of 18-34, including youth with disabilities to represent your country at the 1st Inter-African Youth Entrepreneurs Exchange Programme. In addition we would like  to request your assistance in connecting the programme with Youth Ministries and Entrepreneurship Development Organisations in your country.

This cross-border exchange programme aims to provide a platform for dialogue, collaboration and partnerships across industries, sectors, countries and regions among youth entrepreneurs in Africa. The primary objective of this exchange programme is to cultivate business and social networks as well as examine opportunities and challenges for youth entrepreneurs and governments to work effectively together to promote innovation and achieve scale and momentum for youth employment, economic growth, peace and development in Africa through entrepreneurship.

It is envisioned that the exchange programme will help young entrepreneurs from various regions and countries across Africa to learn from each other, identify collective responsibilities and opportunities for increased collaboration as well as improve their ability to address their shared problems—problems that affect most of Africa. If successful, collaboration between youth entrepreneurs could increase capacity and help galvanize action for development in Africa. The exchange programme will:

• Promote and support an open, inclusive, and constructive dialogue on opportunities, challenges, and capacity for Africa’s economic development through entrepreneurship;
• Discuss ideas on how youth entrepreneurs can be stimulated and supported to become more of a force for employment creation, economic growth and development;
• Facilitate and support relationship building between individuals and institutions across sectors and countries to accelerate the development of products and markets;
• Discuss strategies on how to initiate and sustain cross-sectoral, national, regional and international collaborative efforts to enhance development in Africa.
• Attract media attention and raise awareness on how youth entrepreneurs can play a meaningful role to promote innovation and achieve scale for youth employment, economic growth, peace and development in Africa through entrepreneurship.

TARGET AUDIENCE

• Youth Entrepreneurs;
• Government Agencies;
• Investment Promotion Agencies;
• Venture capitalists, incubators and businesses;
• Organizations promoting Entrepreneurship;
• Universities;
• Representatives of chambers of commerce, industry and business associations;
• Banks, investment funds and other financial institutions;
• Development Agencies; and
• Media representatives

NOMINATE AND APPLY NOW

The first step towards sending your country representative for the 1st Inter-African Youth Entrepreneurs Exchange Programme is to submit a nomination/candidate application (form attached) to applications@agyexchange.org . Nominees should display the following skills and traits:

• An evident commitment to effecting positive change. This commitment can be in many forms; ranging from a high level of involvement in community initiatives to social entrepreneurship or from leading responsible business practices to public service;
• Leadership ability;
• Concern for continental or global issues;
• Ability to generate and articulate impactful ideas; and
• Teamwork.

Successful applications will be informed and booking for the exchange programme will only be confirmed upon receipt of the registration payment of US$ 850.

The registration fee covers:

• Shared accommodation in Johannesburg for five nights, (17-21 November 2014).
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner on (17-21 November 2014) and breakfast only on 22nd November.
• Transport between the airport, accommodation, venue and site activities that are part of the programme.
• Access to all the Exchange Programme activities.
• Exchange Programme hand-outs and support materials.

*Please note that flight and  visa application costs are not included in the registration amount.

CONCLUSION

In view of the current challenges faced in Africa, developing and empowering youth entrepreneurs is currently the most viable and sustainable solutions that will work as a catalyst in accelerating development. Afro-Global recognizes this need and therefore endeavors to bridge these gaps through these exchange programmes that will be held annually in different African countries tackling pertinent issues. It is envisaged that the proposed exchange programme will be an attempt to jump-start the dialogue and integration needed to build a brighter future for Africa.

We are so proud of Afro Global Youth Exchange’s accomplishments and the impact it has had since its inception. In order to do more, we are stepping up to our responsibilities for inspiring our next generation of leaders and change-makers. And our efforts are gaining traction, thanks to the support and encouragement of many who believe in youth-led service.

We look forward to your support to continue this great journey.

Best regards,

Victor Mutanga

Founder & President-Afro Global Youth Exchange PTY LTD

UNESCO-Olympic Truce Youth Peace Ambassador- South Africa/ Zimbabwe

Regional Coordinator - Olympic Truce Peace Campaign Network

Continental Office:

Skills Village - 108 Frere Road, Greater Ellis Park Precinct, Johannesburg, 2094 Gauteng

Office:                +27 11 037 1015

Fax:                   +27 86 245  5285

Mobile:               +27 73  816 3123

president@agyexchange.org 

“Overcoming poverty is not a task of charity, it is an act of justice. Like Slavery and Apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man-made and it can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings. Sometimes it falls on a generation to be great. YOU can be that great generation. Let your greatness blossom.”