7May 27, 2024Dialogue between Students and AmbassadorsIn the second half of the event, students had the chance to ask the panel of ambassadors questions on a variety of topics.Shared Purpose and SolidarityIn her opening address, Assistant Secretary-General and Director of UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Africa, Ahunna Eziakonwa, en-couraged Japanese and African students to foster “shared purpose and solidarity.” significant improvement.” Nsenda went on to mention that two brilliant students from Nigeria were winners at the 2024 World Mathematics Tournament, outperforming participants from over 590 schools in 33 countries. Nsenda identified technical and vocational education and train-ing (TVET) programs as key focus areas for education in Africa, along with research funding and access to data collection. He noted that the hands-on experience provided by TVET programs can drive youth employment in Africa, where the approximate median age is 19 – less than half that of Japan. The youthfulness of Africa’s population can be a double-edged sword, depending on the state of education and training, Nsenda said. The success of TVET programs depends on relationships to indus-try, Nsenda said. “The relationship between the private sector and TVET programs could quickly drive Africa upward.” He high-lighted the role of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in significantly contributing to human resource develop-ment efforts to enhance the potential of African youth in general. “I am grateful to JICA for their interventions in Africa and their efforts to reinforce the capabilities of technical school students.”Panelists, in addition to Nsenda, included Ambassador to Japan of the Republic of Liberia Mr. Blamoh Nelson; Ambassador to Japan of the Republic of Namibia Mr. Morven Masuso Luswenyo; On May 27, 2024, Sophia, in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), launched Model African Union, a flagship platform for Sophia students and African students to discuss ways to achieve innovative, sustain-able growth across the African continent. Ambassador to Japan of the Republic of Cameroon Dr. Pierre Ndzengue; and Sophia Professor Yasuhiro Ueki as moderator.In response to student questions, the panel spoke of Japan’s ac-tivities in Africa and the importance of the democratic process in establishing peace and political stability.Regarding Japan’s activities in Africa, the panelists mentioned the significance of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development, launched by the Government of Japan in 1993 to promote Africa’s development through multilateral cooperation and partnership, and a recent Memorandum of Understanding signed with Japan for contribution to the construction of class-rooms in Africa.The panel concluded with a comment about the ambassadors’ at-tire. The ambassadors explained that the vibrant colors and pat-terns derive from the traditions of each country’s ethnic tribes. This discussion highlighted the rich cultural diversity of the Africa continent.Ahead of next year’s Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9), students in the Model African Union will be tasked with creating position papers on green economies and climate change related to specific member countries of the African Union. The Model African Union initiative was officially announced at AFRI CONVERSE 2024 at Sophia’s Yotsuya campus. UNDP and JICA launched AFRI CONVERSE in 2020 as an event to promote dialogue on African development and TICAD topics. This year’s event, “Youth as a ‘Driving Force’ for Change: Call to Act with Africa,” focused on youth empowerment and the role youth can play in Africa’s development. AFRI CONVERSE 2024 in Sophia
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