The summit, which had thousands of young people converge in Johannesburg for the annual event, provided an opportunity for young go-getters from across the world to network and exchange ideas on how to solve some to the world's most pressing challenges.
"Understanding the South African dichotomy" had OYW delegates visiting Alexandra township, north-east of Joburg. Located just a few kilometres from Sandton, but representing an alarming contrast to the country's economic hub, the immersion allowed delegates to experience at first-hand the socio-economic disparities that are evident in South African society.
"By affording these young delegates the opportunity to visit Alexandra they were able to experience what most South Africans do not: seeing the contrast that is Sandton with its plush hotels and opulent surroundings juxtaposed with the grim poverty faced in Alexandra. The insights offered into the reality that is South African society today are immeasurable," said Rashika Padarath, director of dialogue for the Centre for Leadership and Dialogue at GIBS.
The immersion included a stop at the Alexandra women's hostel and several blossoming small businesses run by ambitious young entrepreneurs, as well as an orphanage for children infected and affected by the HIV pandemic. While in Alexandra, the delegates were welcomed by locals to see their homes; had the chance to speak with young entrepreneurs about their businesses; and also visited an orphanage for children rejected by their families due to the HIV stigma.
"The group was joined by locals along the way and just as important as seeing Alex, were the conversations I had while I was there and the chance to ask questions and discuss some of the challenges they faced," commented Lucy Foster, a delegate from New Zealand.
The visit to Alexandra was followed by a community dinner held at the GIBS campus in Illovo, where the young global ambassadors were able to take the conversation deeper among themselves and discuss meaningful solutions to local, regional and global challenges, with a special focus on poverty alleviation, education, peace, business development, health care, sustainable development, human rights, transparency and good governance among other issues.
The keynote speaker at the dinner was Phumzile Dlamini, transactor of Shanduka Coal, who encouraged the delegates to uplift each other in the spirit of the age-old African idiom, umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu, loosely translated to we are what we are today through what someone else did for us.
In order to alleviate the problems facing the world today, young people need to become active citizens and help uplift their societies she said. Quoting former American President JF Kennedy: "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country," she also further encouraged and inspired the young delegates to begin projects that drive positive change and improve lives.
