“YOUTH AGENDA: Getting Involved on National, Regional and International Platforms”

Paradigm Initiative Nigeria started with a discussion between friends. Concerned about the obvious rate of illiteracy and lack of involvement of youth in Information Society processes, the initiative seeks to fill the existing gap by equipping youth with appropriate Information and Communication Technology skills while also linking them with opportunities to develop themselves, join in the task of nation building, give expression to their talents towards the need for regional cooperation, and ensure global participation. This initiative has, since 2001, moved in the direction of this ambitious task.

Paradigm Initiative Nigeria is volunteer-based, youth-led, flexible, virtual and practical in its approach. We believe that in the next five years, other efforts and ours will be weaved into a fine matrix in order to produce a sustainable youth inclusion and empowerment drive that will help fulfil Nigeria’s dream of active participation in the Information Society, and the global economy at large.

Paradigm Initiative Nigeria’s team of volunteer members, though active in their respective organisations, remain committed to the ideals and values of our collective effort, and hold dear the dream of a New Nigeria.

In line with the objectives of this dream, Paradigm Initiative Nigeria holds awareness sessions tagged “What’s in the Box?” These sessions introduce young Nigerians to concepts, opportunities and ideas that have hitherto remained an “inscrutable mystery box” to them. One of such areas we feel strongly about is the involvement of young people in policy processes and action at the national, regional and international level. While Information and Communication Technologies will prove a veritable platform for these involvements, we believe in the need to expose young Nigerians to the materials, documents and events that drive these same processes.

On the 18th of December, 2004, fifty (50) young Nigerians will meet for discussions, networking and action-planning towards youth involvement in national, regional and international processes. This session will build on existing instruments, and will focus on the United Nations Youth Toolkit and United Nations World Program of Action for Youth. With the theme, “YOUTH AGENDA: Getting Involved on National, Regional and International Platforms”, the event will discuss the roles and opportunities open to young Nigerians along this line of youth involvement.

The forum will also discuss the place of National Youth Policies in addressing Nigeria’s NEEDS; the relationship between the proposed African Youth Charter and the African dream as enshrined in NEPAD; and the various events that promote these virtuous ideals during 2005. Such events include, but are not limited to, the African Regional Meeting for the second phase of the World Summit on the Information Society, NEPAD Youth Summit 2005, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa’s Fifth African Development Forum with the theme, “Youth for Leadership in the 21^st Century, and more.

To apply, send an email to pin@... stating your name, what you do, and why you wish to participate (250 words maximum) on, or before, 12 midnight, Saturday November 20, 2004.