Are you a young African between the ages of 18 and 28 and currently residing in Africa? Here is another chance for you to have your say on building your nation and continent! As you know, Africa’s exponential youth growth comes with immense opportunities for you to inject fresh ideas, vibrancy and optimism into addressing many of Africa’s challenges.
Earlier this year, the entire world came to a standstill as the COVID-19 (coronavirus) quickly spread across the globe. In an attempt to combat the pandemic, the world went into lockdown; schools closed, production chains ground to a halt, social life was disrupted, and people retreated into their homes. Everything changed.
Although figures show that African countries appear to have been relatively spared compared to other regions in the world, the socioeconomic impact of the virus is nonetheless severe. In its analysis of the region’s economic outlook, the World Bank’s latest Africa’s Pulse report projects that growth in Sub-Saharan Africa will contract by -3.3% in 2020, driving the continent into its first economic recession in 25 years. The pandemic could also push 40 million Africans into extreme poverty, erasing at least five years of progress in poverty reduction efforts.
In an effort to find a common solution to a common challenge, we would also like to hear the views of African youth on the COVID-19 response. Based on the situation in your country, answer the following question:
How can young people work with their governments and civil society organizations to respond to the impact of COVID-19 and build a stronger post-pandemic economic and social system?
Be bold, be creative, be practical – chart an inclusive and impactful path to progress for your continent.
World Bank Africa Region #Blog4Dev Competition Eligibility.
To be eligible for the #Blog4Dev contest, you must:
Be a citizen of any of the 48 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa
Be between the ages of 18 and 28 years of age
Not have been a previous winner
