03/05/2024
On April 17th, 2024, Aisha Hamman, an alumnus of faculty of law, Bayero University Kano, had the honor of participating in a plenary session titled ‘Feeding the Future: Youth and Sustainable Food Systems for All,’ hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme’s Food Systems Youth Focus Group. Here, she shared valuable insights regarding the impactful initiatives of the Lift Africa Foundation.
Their efforts in uplifting marginalized communities, particularly women and youth in northern Nigeria, strongly resonated with the theme of the forum. She highlighted the importance of breaking gender barriers, providing quality education, and ensuring civil rights justice, emphasizing their dedication to fostering a more equitable and sustainable society.
In advocating for youth inclusion and robust food systems, Aisha Hamman put forth strategic recommendations:
1. Creating inclusive youth advisory boards within relevant institutions for diverse representation.
2. Prioritizing comprehensive education, training, and capacity building in sustainable agriculture and agribusiness.
3. Developing policies that support youth entrepreneurship in agriculture, including access to financial resources and mentorship.
4. Leveraging digital innovations for youth engagement, knowledge sharing, and market access.
5. Cultivating collaborative partnerships among governments, civil society, private sectors, and youth-led initiatives for innovative solutions and policy frameworks.
Her recommendations, grounded in a vision of sustainable development and social equity, have the potential to drive transformative change on a global scale. According to her, the Forum's core focus is on evaluating progress in key areas outlined by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with emphasis on SDG 1 (no poverty), SDG 2 (zero hunger), SDG 13 (climate action), SDG 16 (peace, justice, and strong institutions), and SDG 17 (partnerships for the goals). These pillars are fundamental to global efforts towards a more equitable and sustainable future, making them central points of discussion and action.
She further stated that the Youth Forum places great importance on incorporating young voices, recognizing their capacity as drivers of change and innovation. By bringing together bright minds and passionate individuals, Aisha also stated that the Forum provides a platform for young leaders to share insights, experiences, and innovative ideas. This collaborative approach fosters a sense of ownership and empowerment among youth, ensuring diverse perspectives and solutions are highlighted.
In her view, an anticipated outcome of the Youth Forum in its role in shaping the upcoming Summit of the Future, is scheduled to be convened by the General Assembly in September 2024. According to Aisha, this convergence of ideas, expertise, and aspirations will set the stage for an inclusive Summit, addressing global challenges and paving the way for a more sustainable and resilient future.
Moving on, Aisha expounded as the Youth Forum progresses, particularly with a dedicated day focused on the Summit of the Future, it showcases the commitment of today's youth to drive meaningful change and contribute actively to the 2030 Agenda. Through dialogue, collaboration, and actionable outcomes, this gathering underscores the power of collective action and the transformative potential of youth-led initiatives worldwide.
Aisha Hamman is enthusiastic about the collaborative opportunities ahead, working together for a more resilient and prosperous future.
The breakout session titled “Youth Perspectives on Regional Development: Challenges, Priorities, and Actions for the SDGs and the Decade of Action” convened government officials and youth leaders to delve into the intricacies of youth perspectives on regional development.
Discussions were made on the challenges encountered, the focal priorities, and the actionable measures requisite for advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the overarching Decade of Action agenda.
One particularly insightful segment involved an interaction with Nigeria’s Minister of Youth during the Africa regional session, and Ghana’s Minister of youth and sport, jointly organized by the United Nations Office of the Special Adviser on Africa (OSAA), the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the Africa Youth Commissioner, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The Ministers highlighted the imperative of bridging the gender digital divide and championed the cause of enhancing educational access, particularly in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, with a focus on inclusivity, especially for girls. Additionally, she highlighted the importance of creating safe and conducive work environments that foster the active participation of young people in shaping future socio-economic landscapes.
A noteworthy development she mentioned is Nigeria’s approval of the establishment of a Youth Development Bank and the expansion of the Youth Investment Fund. These initiatives signify a significant stride towards enhancing financial inclusivity and support for young entrepreneurs, thereby aligning with broader efforts to empower youth and catalyze economic growth.
During her attendance at the World Bank-IMF Spring Meetings in Washington DC, Aisha Hamman was privileged to witness a series of impactful announcements and commitments aimed at realizing the vision of eradicating poverty globally.
The President, with a strong emphasis on actionable strategies, revealed a groundbreaking commitment to connect 300 million Africans to affordable energy by the year 2030. This commitment is set to unfold in collaboration with the African Development Bank, signifying a robust partnership to address critical developmental challenges.
As stated by her, in addition to the energy initiative, another pivotal commitment surfaced: the expansion of quality and affordable health services targeting 1.5 billion individuals by 2030. She inferred that this ambitious yet crucial goal underscores the comprehensive approach being taken to uplift communities across the globe.
The momentum continued with 11 countries pledging a staggering $11 billion towards three innovative financing tools within the World Bank Group. These tools are strategically designed to catalyze a significant surge in development financing, amplifying the impact of investments in key sectors.
Moreover, a new co-financing platform was announced, marking a collaborative endeavor between the World Bank and other multilateral development banks. This platform is poised to enhance the efficiency and efficacy of development projects by leveraging diverse resources and expertise.
Central to these discussions was the emphasis on the International Development Association (IDA), a cornerstone of the World Bank's efforts. IDA's role in providing grants, financing, and low-interest loans to empower countries in investing in their people and the environment was highlighted as a pivotal driver of sustainable development.
Furthermore, it was reiterated that the World Bank is actively exploring all avenues for collaboration. This commitment underscores the organization's openness to engaging with various stakeholders, including governments, NGOs, private sectors, and civil society, to maximize the impact of development initiatives and foster inclusive growth on a global scale.
Overall, her experience at the World Bank-IMF Spring Meetings showcased a concerted global effort towards tangible and inclusive development, underpinned by strategic partnerships, innovative financing mechanisms, and a steadfast commitment to addressing the world's most pressing challenges.
