Deadline: August 31st 2020 (11:59 pm WAT)
The Youth Connect Essay Challenge is organized to harness the creativity and innovation mindset of the African youth in promoting growth and development in Africa. The objective is to develop in undergraduate students the habit of contributing to national and global issues, as well as providing policymakers with an accessible perspective. It aims to promote excellence and knowledge amongst young minds, putting them in the shoes of game changers and problem solvers, in the African Landscape and the world at large.
Theme: “ACCELERATING GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA: THE ROLE OF TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION.”
Given the wealth of talents and resources in Africa, there is room to do even more. It is no gainsaying that Africa needs to embrace technology to realize the African Union’s 2063 Transformation Agenda and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. To achieve this, technology plays a crucial role and its adoption will accelerate economic growth and development on the continent. The realities of modern civilization have shown that technology can speed up significant improvements in the social and political conditions of nations and can be a vehicle for innovative solutions to local challenges.
Africa is now the world’s second-fastest-growing continent. Its fast-growing youth population presents exciting opportunities for economic growth and sustainable development. With the bolstering number of innovation hubs, tech solutions, tech ventures and tech venture-builders, as well as investors in technology infrastructure, the continent can bank on its emergent tech landscape for exponential growth. The young tech community can help decision-makers to implement workable technology solutions from country to country.
To support this drive and to ensure youth’s participation in the transformation of the continent, FITC is investing in the future through the Youth Connect Essay Challenge. This challenge is to awaken the well of ideas in young Africans and set their mind on the right course as it concerns the use of technology for growth.
Eligibility Criteria:
- This Essay is open to undergraduates from all tertiary institutions in Africa.
- Essay can be in English or French and must not exceed 1000 words.
- Entrants are expected to show originality, creativity, clarity and focus on the topic.
- Essays must be original and unpublished. Plagiarized entries will be disqualified.
- Essays must be written by one person. Co- written essays will not be accepted.
- One entry per person.
- Entries will be disqualified if they fail to meet these requirements.
Awards:
- 1st prize: $1000 + Laptop + Leadership Certification Programme + 1-year Mentorship Programme.
- 2nd prize: $500 + Laptop + 1-year Mentorship Programme.
- 3rd prize: Laptop + 1-year Mentorship Programme.
Note:
- All awardees will be announced on 1st October 2020.
