by ‘Gbenga Sesan

ACCRA- Africa held the first regional preparatory meeting for the World Summit on the
Information Society (WSIS) at the Palais des Congrès in Bamako, Republic of Mali in May 2002. The conference had representatives from 51 African countries, delegates from many other countries and representatives of African and global entities, the private sector and civil society.
The meeting had five young people (among others) sponsored by the
Telecommunications Development Bureau (TDB) of the International
Telecommunications Union (ITU) for the purpose of driving youth input into the
process.
These young people lobbied and recorded major success as the roundtable discussion threw a lot of support behind the clamour for youth empowerment and inclusion.
Eventually, one of the major outcomes of the conference, the Bamako 2002 Declaration, requested, “that African States should actively involve the youth in national and regional ICT activities”.
Building on this momentum and other suitable networks, Africa was duly
represented when eight young people from five continents met in Geneva in July
2002 to kickstart the process of global youth involvement in the WSIS.
They started the Youth Caucus and made clear its objectives even at the first preparatory committee meeting of the WSIS. The WSIS Youth Caucus, then led by Nick Moraitis of TakingITGlobal, is now anchored by a team of three young people – with Titilayo Akinsanmi (Nigerian – and obviously African – working in Johannesburg) as the Global Facilitator.
From the Bamako meeting, through the preparatory committee meetings, the December 2003 summit, side events, and to local, national, regional and international WSIS related meetings (including the recently concluded United Nations ICT Task Force meeting in Berlin), young Africans have remained active in the process.
At times, when visa and funding problems would not allow us attend the meetings physically, we took to the World Wide Web for help. The African Youth e-Conference on the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) held online at www.yahoogrups.com/group/wsisyouthafrica between the 20th and 30th of November 2002. It was coordinated by Paradigm Initiative Nigeria and ninety-six (96) young Africans from over 13 countries participated in the e-Conference which sought to strengthen the role of African youths in the WSIS processes, and the eventual action plans that will be drawn up.
Sincerely, Youth is not a thematic issue within the WSIS process, and the need to involve and empower Africa’s youth is not just another conference statement bullet point. It is imperative that young Africans participate in the process, and are empowered to translate words and thoughts into action. We are the proof of sustainability, and the bridge between today and tomorrow.
With this fact accepted, Africa’s development process, utilising information and communication technologies (ICTs) can be accelerated. You just need to see the passion in the blood of the empowered African youth within the WSIS process, and the action they have been able to place on the discussion table to appreciate the song this piece seeks to sing!
We accept that as told in the story of the proverbial bird in the hand of a young child, whether the “bird” lives or dies, we decide. But just as another African proverb says, “a child who lifts his hands will get the support of his mother”. We lift our hands and ask for support. Support – not for individuals or selfish interests, but for the future of our continent.
We have moved around in circles long enough, its time to join forces and weave a new continent we can be proud to call home. No longer shall we just tend the gardens of others, our own flowers will blossom. It is Africa’s time to reveal to the world that the pyramids of Egypt and mineral resources of Nigeria are not accidents but gifts planted ahead of a day of celebration – today! It is time for action, and support. Relay the message of the network to other young people, publish the emerging items in your local media outlets, advise the network’s youth, make resources available for the ambitious but necessary work, and hold us accountable for our promises.
We believe in positive peer pressure and will enjoy a healthy competition on the track of development. Fortunately, the fifth African Development Forum has its theme as “Youth and Leadership in the 21st Century” and we believe that it comes at a great time for us in order to weave these efforts into one fine matrix. From Bamako to Accra, Africa’s youth have toiled.
In the words of David Diop, “the blood of your sweat / the sweat of your work / … / That is your Africa / springing up anew / springing up patiently obstinately / Whose fruit bit by bit acquire / The bitter taste of liberty”9. Here comes liberty, and it is time to support these efforts and network with other stakeholders to announce the birth of a New Africa, one riding on the wings of Information and Communication Technologies for accelerated development. Viva Africa.