Young People’s Commission for Africa
Students from 25 UK schools connected with students from 25 African schools to discuss the continent and its future via the Internet.
Tony Blair launched the Commission for Africa in February 2004. The aim of the Commission was "to take a fresh look at Africa's past and present and the international community's role in its development," but young people have not been included in the discussions. This Plan project aimed to address that omission and give young people a voice.
Aswan, a student from Kenya says "the G8 must and should support dialogue with children of Africa."
Through the project students were encouraged to identify the incredible strengths and cultural diversity of Africa as well as some of the major issues affecting young people in Africa today.
Plan worked with Gemin-i.org, an NGO specialising in innovative education software. The technology allows chat forums, emailing and the design of web pages using images, sounds and videos, on even the most basic computers. Some students from areas lacking computer facilities in Africa were transported to Plan offices so they can take part in the project.
Together the young people built a website which went live in June 2005.
Hot seats
Many celebrities, politicians, and experts in various Africa-related fields supported the project by participating in ‘hot-seat’ interviews. These included Richard E. Grant, Cherie Blair, Arsenal defender Lauren and a cross section of MPs. Video clips of their interviews are displayed on the website for the students to study.
Helen Jackson MP said; “I think it's a brilliant project because children are the future and we perhaps don't talk to children enough.”
Charles Clark MP said that international education is the way forward. He added; “it's a very important project; we'll learn a lot from it.”
Kofi Annan spoke recently of the benefits of global internet links between schools, asserting; “if we are to bridge the Digital Divide, we must match the powerful new tools of development with the people who need them most...while education unlocks the door to development, increasingly it is information technology that can unlock the door to education.”
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