About the African Youth Excellence Awards.
The African Youth Excellence Awards, an initiative of Youth Bridge Foundation seeks to acknowledge and reward young Africans in diverse fields that have distinguished themselves particularly in Africa and the globe as a whole. The AWARDS is organized on the Platform of the African Youth and Governance Conference Initiative.
Have you ever felt that young people in your community/country are to be "seen and not heard"? Do adults (elected officials, teachers, school boards, the Chamber of Commerce, and others) make decisions that affect young people without asking the youth what they think? Have you ever heard here in Africa that, "You're just not matured -- you don't know what you're talking about"? Are your ideas and innovations simply put on shelves and ignored?
Have you sought to make a real difference in your community / country as whole or simply made Africa proud away from home?
Barriers are never easy to deal with, and sometimes the toughest walls to climb are the ones put up by adults. They have years of experience and knowledge, and often they think it's easier to tackle a problem, project, or new program alone, rather than involve young people. But when they do that, they are missing out on the great ideas, enthusiams, energy, and resources that youth have to offer!
Being involved as a young person in governance and contributing to community and national development isn't easy at first. It takes patience, time, and training for both the youth and adults. But the results are worth the effort!
AFRICAN YOUTH EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2011, a Youth Bridge Foundation initiative is the springboard: it signifies a dawn of youth excellence in Africa, a departure from mediocrity and a quest for excellence.