Niël Terblanché
A group of 90 young Namibians, made their mark at the World Youth Festival (WYF) in Sochi, Russia where they delved into various fields, including business, media, international cooperation, culture, science and education programmes.
The WYF, initiated by a decree from Russian President Vladimir Putin, is renowned as the globe’s most significant youth gathering, drawing in thousands of young leaders from Russia and beyond.
The group of young Namibians was accompanied by the Deputy Minister of Sport, Youth, and National Service, Emma Kantema-Goamas.
The festival serves as a crucial platform for discussing and addressing the world’s most pressing issues, fostering youth empowerment, and promoting cultural exchange.
This year’s event offered a vibrant arena for participants to delve into various fields, including business, media, international cooperation, culture, science, education, and more.
It was an opportunity like no other for young innovators, leaders, and changemakers to share ideas and collaborate towards building a more inclusive and sustainable future.
Kantema-Goamas in a statement stressed the importance of considering Africa’s demographic dynamics, especially its youthful population, in global discussions on democratic dividends.
With projections indicating that Africa’s youth population will more than double by 2050, the deputy minister stressed the necessity of strategic investments in education, employment, and empowerment to harness this demographic dividend, with a particular focus on empowering young women and men.
She said that Namibia’s commitment to transforming the energy of young people into development opportunities is evident through the country’s efforts to implement the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
This agenda envisions a people-driven development trajectory for Africa, propelled by the continent’s youthful energy and innovation potential.
Kantema-Goamas also noted the significant steps Namibia is taking to cultivate an environment conducive to innovation and entrepreneurship, thereby enabling young Namibians to contribute meaningfully to the nation’s prosperity.
The partnership between Russia and Africa was emphasized as a key element in this developmental journey, illustrating the festival’s role in fostering international collaborations that benefit youth empowerment and innovation.
According to the deputy minister, the Namibian delegation returned home, inspired and motivated to apply their newfound insights and experiences towards contributing to Namibia’s growth and the global community’s progress.
She said that the World Youth Festival in Sochi not only provided a platform for dialogue and exchange but also highlighted the critical role of youth in shaping a sustainable future, with Namibia leading by example in harnessing the potential of its young population.
