Global youth discuss leadership

Young people from around the world meeting in Kigali for a youth leadership conference have been urged to critically think about their future and not the present situation. The Minister of Youth and ICT, Jean Philbert Nsengimana, made the call yesterday while opening the Right To Play Global Youth Summit that brought together young people from Canada, Rwanda, Liberia, Mali, Ghana and Benin.“This is the best opportunity for you to lay strategies that will transform your lives and your peers in the society you live in,” he told the youth.The week-long leadership conference organized by the Right to Play Rwanda and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) aims at engaging young people in leadership skills while applying the power of ‘sport’ for development and peace. “It is held under the theme “building leadership in sport for development.”Right to Play Rwanda is a Non Governmental Organisation that seeks to provide sports and play activities that will contribute to basic education and life skills development among young people.“This world is full of challenges; all the conditions for conflicts are there. Are you ready to face the challenges? You need to think about this,” Nsengimana noted.He called upon young people to embrace entrepreneurship skills and become empowered economically.“Whatever you do, add value to it. We want a generation of empowered young people with a high sense of self worth and responsibility.”At the meeting, young people will participate in experiential workshops on service learning, public policy in a global and local context, and global action planning to empower participants with leadership skills such as public speaking, effective communication in a team setting, event planning and implementation, among others.Speaking to The New Times, Jane Batamuriza, one of the participants, said the conference will enable her share experiences and challenges with others.“I expect to learn new leadership skills that will enable me sharpen my thinking and change young people’s lives in my community,” she said.Dennis Bright, Regional Director of Right to Play West and Francophone Africa, said upon completion of the forum, participants will return to their communities with a greater understanding of leadership in sports for development and peace, which will enable them implement their personalised action plans.Robert Witchel, National Director Right To Play Canada, stated that Rwanda was chosen to host the summit due to Right To Play’s long time presence and continuous growth within the country.“If young people do not get the opportunity to play, they will not be able to learn and be productive in future. Young people need to apply sports in whatever they do because the game bonds their relationship,” he said.Right To Play operates in 20 countries worldwide, the Canadian National Office, International Programs Team. It began operations in Rwanda in 2003 as part of its strategy to expand reach, and focus operations in Africa. The project engages over 60,000 young people in various activities that have improved their livelihoods that include reduction in violent behaviour and increased cooperation among children, as well as an increase in healthy behaviour in relation to HIV/AIDS prevention.