In Davos 2024, leaders must invest in the future of young people

The World Economic Forum (WEF) takes place in Davos every year, but 2024 already feels different. Rapid changes in the global economy, conflicts, unprecedented heatwaves, growing apathy towards democratic principles, and continued advances in technology are impacting humanity at a furious pace, hitting the poorest hardest. I’m giving.

As world leaders and business executives gather next week to address these pressing issues, advocates and policymakers are working hard to ensure that discussions along the Davos Promenade focus on the immediate actions leaders need to take in 2024. Entrepreneurs will be working together with all their might. There is an urgent focus on investing, especially in young people, to establish the foundations for a common and prosperous future.

25% of the world’s population is under the age of 14, especially in Africa, where the median age is 19 years. This population group is the most vulnerable to today’s challenges and the most affected by irresponsible decisions and actions.

With the right level of investment, this population can grow. Home to 1.2 billion people, Africa is estimated to account for a quarter of the world’s population by 2050. By 2100, Nigeria will overtake China and become the world’s second most populous country after India. Additionally, 70 percent of sub-Saharan Africa’s population is under the age of 30, and this continent has the potential to become one of the world’s largest consumer markets. Africa is a continent on the move.

The energy, excitement and untapped potential of this population was on vivid display at the inaugural event. Moving Africa: Rwanda The event marked the launch of the first pan-African touring concert circuit headlined by international artists. His debut show in Rwanda alone employed more than 1,000 Rwandans, with 75 percent of his local and production staff engaged. The event had a special focus on creating skills development and training opportunities for international events. As expressed by Kweku Mandela, the event “set a mark in the sand around live touring events and showcased the African continent’s creative economy”. This serves as a model that other industries can emulate.

However, not investing on the continent poses significant risks in several ways. First, if the current trajectory continues, Africa will account for 23 of the 28 countries with the highest proportion of the population in extreme poverty by 2030. Second, the challenge of rebuilding trust, highlighted as this year’s WEF theme, comes at a time when African countries’ relations with the West are already at their worst. The decline follows a breach of long-standing commitments on climate finance, the hoarding of vaccines by Western countries during the COVID-19 pandemic, and continued perceptions of double standards and hypocrisy. It is something that

To move forward, rebuild trust and build a common future, world leaders can start in 2024 by prioritizing three key investments in the future dreams of the world’s young people. .

1. Access to medical care:

Last year, the approval of two new vaccines against malaria marked a key turning point in the fight against malaria, which kills more than 1,000 children a day.

The next 12 months will be critical to securing funding to accelerate the large-scale distribution of these and other vaccines and to strengthen local manufacturing capacity in Africa to strengthen public health security on the continent. is important.

The growing threat of malaria due to climate change makes this even more urgent, putting more children at risk around the world.

According to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, a malaria vaccine costs at least $16 to ship. We must reach her 180 million children across Africa alone. 2024 should mark the beginning of the end for malaria, alongside other efforts to reduce child deaths from vaccine-preventable diseases.

2. Skills and education:

Young people need jobs and skills to take advantage of investments in industries such as the creative arts, clean energy and information technology.

However, an increasing number of children are facing the brunt of conflicts and other crises and are unable to receive an education. That’s why, for example, Education Cannot Wait is seeking nearly $700 million in donations to ensure continuity of education for at least 20 million children currently out of school. This funding will help children learn in 19 of her countries in Africa alone.

3. Green jobs:

In 2023, the world agreed for the first time to transition away from fossil fuels. 2024 is the year to start putting this into practice. To avoid catastrophic climate change, we need to reduce emissions by 7% each year until 2030. Still, the government has increased fossil fuel subsidies to more than $1 trillion in 2022.

In 2024, these funds will be directed towards creating jobs for young people across Africa through clean energy projects and sustainable agriculture, ensuring the world’s youngest population reaps the benefits of this important industrial transformation. is important.

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