Before attending EDD, one of the important projects, I and others youths were closely working is to create an African startup specialized in investment. During the EDD conference I’ve met some potential partners with whom I’ve shared ideas. Currently, we are working on it; so that the dream is coming true: AFRICA BRAIN CONSORTIUM (our slogan: the mind of investment in Africa), aims to serves as an interface between investors in Europe and investors in Africa.
Apart from this, I met several organizations which have promise to invite me for others conferences to share my ideas with decisions makers and be an inspiration for others worldwide youth in order to contribute to global changes. As example, One Young World brings me an opportunity to attend in October, the One Young World Summit 2017 in Bogota via a fully-funded Scholarship.
After EDD, back to Benin my country, I was interviewed by 5 local Medias and I have shared my experience. Also, different CSOs congratulated me for my achievement, and now they regularly ask my opinion about several topics concerning youth issues. I am sometimes invited by them as a speaker for those topics thanks to my expertise.
Also, after EDD16, I received one of the most prestigious Awards of the Junior Chamber International: I was awarded the Benin’s OUTSTANDING YOUNG PERSON of the year, in the category of volunteer actions.
Apart from this, international organizations like Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, World Trade Organization, International Trade Centre, etc. congratulate me too. And International Organization for Migration (IOM) invited me, as young inspirational leaders to attend a global media campaign leading up to the 19th Sept UN Summit for Refugees and Migrants.
Now, I am like a big star in my country as well as outside my country. This makes me proud, but I know that I have to do more again for the future, to maintain what I have started since several years ago!
I still keep in contact with African Development Bank, and I continue doing as much as possible, little by little, advocacy for youth employment. I also still keep in touch with “Africa Paid” (an enterprise working in the same domain of AFRICA BRAIN CONSORTIUM), for partnership and Memorandum of Agreement as soon as possible.
To summarize, I think the fact that EU engaged youth in global discussions concerning development issues is more than appreciated! If each government could take youth opinions in consideration when elaborating national policies, that will be surely a good way to achieve inclusiveness and sustainability of these policies, and consequently contribute to achieve sustainable development in developing countries, like Benin.
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