On Tuesday I had the privilege of helping out at The President’s Forum with Young African Leaders, a meeting of 115 bright minds and future leaders of Africa hosted in Washington, DC. The conference, in part, acknowledges the 50 years of independence that 17 sub-Saharan African nations celebrate this year. The forum gives the African delegates and U.S. officials the opportunity to get together and discuss the future of the African continent, and how they can cooperate to make the hopes and ambitions of Young Africans for the future a reality.
During the hours that I spent helping to guide the delegates to their meetings and discussions at the Department of State, I was struck by the enthusiasm, friendliness, and frankness with which they approached the event and interacted with each other. Despite traveling as long as 48 hours to the U.S., they seemed brimming with energy. The group included delegates from many different backgrounds and professions, all of whom shared a common passion for the future of Africa and their own countries.
It was also clear that they were excited to meet with President Barack Obama at a town hall meeting later that day: really excited.
During the meeting the delegates were able to ask the President questions face-to-face. The topics discussed included economy, corruption, fighting HIV/AIDS, and the role of the U.S. in supporting and encouraging African development.
The President addressed the issues raised and didn’t overlook some of the major difficulties facing many regions in Africa. “Across Africa today, there’s no denying the daily hardships that are faced by so many,” the President noted. “The struggle to feed their children, to find work, to survive another day. And too often, that’s the Africa that the world sees.”
However, the President stressed his optimism that Africa has the potential and the promise to emerge as a region of growth and innovation. “Today, you represent a different vision, a vision of Africa on the move…” the President said. “An Africa that’s ending old conflicts… an Africa that’s pursuing a broadband revolution that could transform the daily lives of future generations.”
The President, in his remarks before the question-and-answer session, specifically mentioned some of the delegates in the forum by name, and their accomplishments. He noted that young leaders like them would be the ones who lead Africa to further development, saying “yes, youth can!” A full transcript of Obama’s remarks and the question-and-answer discussion is available here, and a video is available here.
I really enjoyed getting to meet the delegates, and wish them all the best with their remaining time in Washington. Their enthusiasm gives me a lot of optimism for the future of Africa, and the administration’s engagement with them shows that the U.S. is a strong partner and friend.
