Shape Africa 2016: Youth across African countries meet up to redefine the world

22 young African leaders from 20 countries including Angola, Nigeria, Libya, Rwanda, South Africa, Morocco, and Mozambique among others were in Mauritius to discuss several issues relating to the environment, society, politics and business.

The Global Shapers Community is one of the fastest growing platforms for young leaders, innovators and change makers that aim to create an impact in their local communities by developing innovative, socially and environmentally conscious approaches to run businesses and projects. Created in 2011, this organisation is present in 459 cities across the world and boasts over 6,400 members. Their main objective is to shape the global agenda and bring change to their respective communities.

By organising SHAPE Africa 2016 in Mauritius, the idea was to showcase young people as key actors in the implementation of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement, as well as enablers of sustainable development. The conference also had the aim of creating a model and best practices that other organisations could adopt.

Unlocking Africa’s assets

The conference also provided an intellectual platform for brainstorming and enabling catalytic discussions on three intertwined topics namely: Africa and sustainable development, Africa and natural capital, and Africa and human capital. SHAPE Africa 2016, under the theme ‘From Natural Capital to Human Capital: Unlocking Africa’s Greatest Assets’ was opened by the President of the Republic, Dr Ameenah Gurib-Fakim. 22 young people from 20 countries including Angola, Nigeria, Libya, Rwanda, South Africa, Morocco, and Mozambique among others were in attendance. Other participants included SHAPE Africa and Port Louis Hub partners, Groupe Socota, ENL Foundation, MCB Group, US Embassy and Mauritians and Rodriguans Delegates. 

Port Louis Hub, known for high impact sustainability projects insisted upon a Green SHAPE (pencils instead of pens, handmade note books made from scrap paper, glass water bottles, reusable straws, tote bags made from recycled fabrics).

All sessions were held in award winning green and sustainable venues. 17 indigenous trees were planted by Shapers, each representing one of the 17 SDG goals. In addition, the last day of SHAPE Africa 2016 saw the launch of Green your Hub, a SHAPE Initiative that will provide a blueprint of steps needed by Hubs to inspire sustainable practices across the region and globally.

Barkha Mossae, Global Shaper, Port Louis Hub: “Tackle the world’s most significant challenges”

According to Barkha Mossae, the Global Shapers Community espouses the motto and mission of the World Economic Forum, ‘Improving the State of the World’. “As a group of millennials, Shapers tackle the world’s most significant challenges, which range from unemployment to environmental degradation. For instance, she continues, many Hubs (members of Shape Africa) are leading projects on entrepreneurship and integration. Furthermore, she states that the Global Shapers Community also adopts the World Economic Forum’s ethos of building networks with private sector partners. “In Mauritius, for instance, our platinum partner, Groupe Socota, is part of the World Economic Forum’s Community of Global Growth Companies – those businesses that have a direct input at Davos,” points out Barkha.

President of the Republic, Ameenah Gurib-Fakim: “We must transform resources to create jobs for young people”

African countries including Mauritius must not depend on the exploitation of natural resources to succeed. Instead, through the transformation of these resources, job creation for young people is assured. This is the view shared by the President of the Republic Dr Ameenah Gurib-Fakim. She was speaking at the launch of “Share Africa 2016” in Moka. “Africa is the youngest continent in the world where half the population is under 25. However, there is a lack of employment opportunities for young people,” says president Gurib-Fakim. Thus, she believes it necessary to invest in youth to ensure the socio-economic development of these countries. The President also had discussions with young people in African countries where she addressed several aspects such as leadership, empowerment of women, cultural diversity, among others.

Seun Omobo, Global Shaper from Lagos Hub “Changing consumption patterns”

“Shape Africa 2016 exceeded my expectations. I had to opportunity to brainstorm with shapers from around the world. The Port Louis Hub is reputed for the magnitude of its sustainability projects. This was reflected in every aspect of the conference from the venue to the conference kit. This has changed my consumption patterns.”

Shaan Potayya, Global Shaper, Port Louis Hub “An opportunity to increase exposure to other change makers”

“Through this event, we hope to show that Mauritius has the capacity to host the World Economic Forum on Africa – an event which attracts the innovators and movers and shakers of the continent. SHAPE Africa 2016 ensured the participation of Mauritian youth so as to increase their exposure to other change makers and the chances for collaboration on projects relating to climate change, among others.”