At Yaounde confab: African youths pledge to spearhead social economy solidarity.

The forum was held under the theme: “African Social and Solidarity Economy models: Towards co-building of a community based global human economy". 

It was presided over by the Minister of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises, Social Economy and Handicrafts, Achille Bassilekin III.

Speaking at the forum, youth representatives from the Central African Republic, CAR, and Cameroon, pointed out that Africa's youth have a pertinent role to play in the development and transformation of the continent.

“We are determined to work together to promote economic development beneficial to all without distinction. We therefore make the commitment to contribute durable, innovative and creative solutions to foster the social and economic solidarity of the continent,” the youth representatives stated.

The representatives continued by calling on Africa's youth to mobilise towards a prosperous continent founded on the principles of equity, solidarity and durability. 

“We are the artisans of change, actors of transformation and guardians of tomorrow's heritage,” the representatives affirmed.

The youth representatives concluded by calling on continental and national stakeholders to develop and put in place a pan African follow up and evaluation mechanism for public policy on social economy solidarity matters for young people.

They equally drummed for a mechanisms for support and funding for youth-led national and continental initiatives and an incubator to nurture entrepreneurial ventures and leadership in collective activities by youth for youth.

Raison d'etre of forum

While opening the forum, Minister Bassilekin III highlighted that the continental gathering had as aim the mobilisation of central and local governments, as well as multiform networks to support the entrepreneurial dynamics of young people and women.

"This forum has established itself as an inter-African platform for the promotion of social economy, and above all a crossroad for major meetings to share experience and showcase Africa's know-how,” Minister Bassilekin III stated. 

The Coordinator of the France and Africa partnership for co-development organisation, Pauline Effa, for her part said FORA'ESS was an opportunity to share practices, policies and visions through collaboration and cooperation, in order to build an inclusive, equitable, solidarity-based and people-centered African movement. 

For the President of the National Network for Social Economy known by its French acronym as RENESS, Léontine Evina, the forum provided an avenue to discuss the social, economic and environmental challenges facing the African continent and brainstorm on solutions. 

FORA'ESS equally showcased the continent's know-how in the production and processing of local products which were exhibited on stands during the three-day forum.

This story was first published in The Guardian Post issue No3132 of Wednesday June 05, 2024