A Changemaker is a young activist operating through a range of national and international networks, who is able to influence his or her community as well as speak to authority with confidence and passion. Changemakers are not afraid to challenge either accepted ways of thinking or their convictions. Changemakers are forward looking, they take their ideas and put them into practice. A Changemaker accepts difference, is flexible, is able to take on new ideas and skills and will communicate them to others.
‘’I am a young man who, sometime tomorrow, will have to stand for the rights of millions of people, but also, help restore peace from the hearts of Rwanda, to the streets of Gaza, from the towns of Sri Lanka, to the hills of Somalia and all parts of the world. I am the Changemaker!’’ Daniel Sahr Bonga African Youth Forum participant Sierra Leone.
From 3 - 6 June, approximately 80 young activists from across the African continent came together for an African Youth Forum in Cape Town, immediately preceding their presence at the World Economic Forum on Africa which took place in Cape Town from 10th - 12th June. This African Youth Forum themed, the Community Action Projects Forum (CAP) involved some of the previous Global Changemakers participants.
Founded by the British Council, Global Changemakers are a select group of youth (between the ages of 16 and 25) who have demonstrated a significant track record of achievement in their local communities through social entrepreneurship, community activism, and voluntary work. These youth are part of a global network through which they gain knowledge, share ideas and best practices, and work individually and together on projects that directly impact the lives of those in their local communities.
The CAP event was attended by young activists from across the world, but mainly from Africa, who will share their understanding of community activism. The programme involved various activities including: community visits, workshops, skills development and a visit to Robben Island Museum.
Participants were from the following countries: Australia, Botswana, Brazil, Cameroon, Chile, China, DRC, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, India, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Malawi, Mauritius, Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, UK, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
One of the tasks the participants were given was to develop Community Action Projects (CAPs) to be implemented in their own communities, the best of which will be funded by Global Changemakers programme.
The focus of this event was to create the space for young African activists to share their own experiences and views on how to change Africa and the world. During the event, the participants had an opportunity to meet with a broad spectrum of individuals and organisations that have been instrumental with shaping the social change in South Africa (e.g. politicians, business people, media, social activists, trade unionists, etc).
| The 80 participants selected five amongst themselves, to attend the World Economic Forum on Africa held in Cape Town 10 - 12 June, to represent the voice of their generation. The selected five thus had an opportunity to engage with some of the continent’s most influential business and political leaders and lend a grass-roots perspective to this global event. They were: |
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George Gachara (Kenya) |
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Esnatt Gondwe (Malawi) |
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Zillah Muponda (Zimbabwe) |
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Edward Khanya (South Africa) |
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Mohammed Lamarana Barry (Ghana) |
In early June 2009, British Council was approached by the Global Humanitarian Forum in Geneva to bring four former Global Changemakers activists to Switzerland for the launch of the Kofi Annan’s Climate Change Justice campaign. The selected activists had to have strong interest in environmental issues and a significant track record of achievement in their local communities through social entrepreneurship, community activism and voluntary work.
The event took place from 20 – 26 June in Geneva. The four Global Changemakers participants selected to represent the world youth in this event were from South Africa, Myanmar, India and Canada.
South Africa was represented by Happy Khambule, a 19 year old law student from Johannesburg. Happy is an environmental activist who has created a network of primary school learners to inspire awareness that individuals can make a difference.
The Launch was chaired by Kofi Annan and included over 400 high-level international participants from wide-ranging sectors, including Heads of State and government, ministers and heads of major corporations, as well as representatives of development and humanitarian organisations.
Contact your nearest British Council office to find out more about Global Changemakers.
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