Obama to Host White House Forum with Young African Leaders

Above: President Obama will convene a forum at the White
House next month with 120 young leaders from Africa and
their counterparts from the United States. – (Pete Souza)

Tadias Magazine
By Tadias Staff
Updated: Thursday, July 22, 2010
New York (Tadias) – President Barack Obama is set to play host to a large contingent of young African business and community leaders next month for a White House initiated effort to foster stronger partnerships in the years ahead.
Nearly 120 young leaders from civil society and the private sector representing more than 40 African countries will gather in Washington for a three-day conference scheduled to take place from August 3rd to August 5th, 2010.
“Together with American counterparts and U.S. government officials, the participants will share their insights on key themes of youth empowerment, good governance, and economic opportunity,” the White House said in a statement. “President Obama will host a town hall meeting at the White House with these young leaders to discuss their vision for transforming their societies over the next fifty years.”
According to the White House: “The President’s Forum with Young African Leaders presents the U.S. government and American friends of Africa with an opportunity to deepen and broaden our understanding of the trajectories of African societies, and to reflect on how the next generation are building their communities’ and their nations’ futures – just as their predecessors did in the era of independence from colonial rule. In addition to the town hall meeting with the President, the forum will include small-group discussions on topics such as transparency and accountability, job creation and entrepreneurship, rights advocacy, and the use of technology to empower individuals and communities. African participants will have an opportunity to meet with grassroots service organizations to share experiences and strategies.”
The administration hopes the event will also serve as a networking opportunity between the African leaders and their American counterparts. “The U.S. government’s role in this gathering is as a convener, encouraging networks between young American and African leaders, and pursuing lasting partnerships on behalf of our common security and prosperity,” the statement added. “This dialogue and follow-up events in Africa will help the U.S. government better assess how to support Africa’s own aspirations going forward.”
–
Cover Image: President Barack Obama listens during a meeting with residents at Carmandelle’s Live Bait and Boiled Seafood in Grand Isle, La., June 4, 2010. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
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On the South Lawn of the White House (By Ayele Bekerie)
Video: Obama’s Message To Africa during his 2009 visit to Ghana

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Obama to Host White House Forum with Young African Leaders

Published by News Room July 21st, 2010 in News & Hot Shots. 12 Comments