This week’s Global Citizen Now conference called for long-term investment in the African continent’s rapidly growing youth population and expanded access to young changemakers around the world, as the international advocacy organization looks to harness resources to eradicate poverty.
Hugh Evans, CEO of Global Citizen, said the conflict-ridden international landscape makes it even more important that political, business and philanthropic leaders support education and health care in least developed countries. Some of the week’s biggest demands included $6 billion for economic development in Africa and $600 million for a United Nations-administered fund to support education during emergencies.
Evans told the Associated Press, “I don’t need to lecture anyone about polarization. But I think the result of it is that sometimes people can feel completely disillusioned and disempowered. My one hope. It is that our platform will stand for clear, decisive, practical actions that citizens can take to change the world for good.
To further their goals, the two-day conference New York Relying on the star power of longtime ambassador Hugh Jackman, Oscar-winning actress Michelle Yeoh and Brazilian singer Anita,
“The Walking Dead” and “Black Panther” star Danai Gurira said more Western aid alone is not enough. According to the Iowa-born actress, who grew up in Zimbabwe, African countries need true self-determination because “we are a long way from uprooting ourselves from colonialism.”
“From cobalt to lithium, diamonds, rubber to oil, we are extremely rich,” he said. “But you don’t often see us in control of it.”
Nearly 60% of Africa’s population is under the age of 25 – a tremendous asset for the two-time Super Bowl champion Osei Umenyiora Said just needed more opportunities. The former defensive end discussed his work leading the National Football League’s efforts to attract the attention of college scouts and provide the training necessary for international athletes to eventually play professionally.
The NFL has academies in the United Kingdom and Australia. Umenyiora said he hopes to add facilities in countries including Nigeria, Kenya and Morocco by 2030.
“The best athletes in the world, in my estimation, are in Africa,” Umenyiora said. AP, “It’s just that they haven’t been developed. They haven’t been trained.”
The conference followed the announcement that Global Citizen would co-present an economic summit in Ivory Coast this autumn. The goal is to boost foreign aid Sub-Saharan AfricaWhile the working-age population is expected to double by 2050, many people do not have access to electricity.
Speakers emphasized that global leaders must help close those gaps now if they want to harness the region’s full potential. Foreign aid can work, he said, despite recent moves by once-generous, debt-ridden governments to reduce the amount allocated to developing countries.
Former Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven presented development aid as a mutually beneficial investment, not a one-sided act of charity.
“Why not harness the world’s full potential?” asked Löfven, who had set a target of spending 1% of Sweden’s gross national income on aid while in office.
The conference also marked Global Citizen’s efforts to engage Gen Z into its 12 million-member network. The organization recently connected more than 300 youth leaders with officials, including World Bank President Ajay Banga, at the first international edition of Global Citizen Now.
Non-partisan civic engagement group HeadCount and I’m a Voter announced a merger during a Thursday panel, seeking to leverage the power of musicians and brands to increase youth voter registration in the wake of the U.S. presidential election.
Other speakers shared strategies for authentically connecting with youth online. Anita told the AP that she hosts classes on Instagram Live so that her fans can learn with her about environmental issues such as rainforest conservation.
Actor Jordan Fisher acknowledged that seemingly insurmountable student loans or the affordable housing market can leave young people feeling politically lost. He emphasized that voting is just one way to start getting involved.
Fisher is also identifying new platforms to empower Global Citizen members. An avid gamer, he is advising the organization as it develops a gaming division. He said that livestreaming services like Twitch can be a great tool to raise money and awareness among viewers to watch their favorite creators.
“This is some of the most authentic work that can be done. It’s just people. And that’s just us. These are human beings,” Fischer told the AP.
“The power of gaming is huge.”
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