'Global Youth Forum on Mountain Issues and Green Solutions- from Rio de Jenario to Doha.'

APYTF Dedicated Blog: Overview of 'Global Youth Forum on Mountain Issues...: United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of Parties (COP) 18 has a special importance since it needs t...


Global Youth Forum speakers including Ms Sameera Zaib (APYTF, Pakistan), Ms Danaé Espinoza. (PIDES, Latin America), Mr Abiodun Dominic Odunuga, (Zero Carbon Africa), Mr Wilson  (Eco Singapore), Ms Timila Dhakwa, (Team Green Economy, Nepal) and Mr David Gawith (Newzeland) 

The ACT of Entrepreneurship and Mentorship (BMC2012)

I am an ardent believer of practicals!!!

As much as theories form major bedrock of some of the laws that govern life, I believe practicals
are the easiest way to drive any message home. For instance, while it might be possible for anyone
to deny that the force of gravity exist, it is absurd if not impossible to find someone doubt the
consequence or the result of falling from a storey building without any prepared safe-bed.

My background in science has enforced the sense of practicals in me because the things I remember
the most after leaving the walls of the university are the ones I took time to practice and not just
read.

It is on this premise that the last entrepreneurship summit I was privileged to organize (alongside
other development-oriented youths) was built on.

The Entrepreneurship event which was on the platform of Business Management Conference with
theme: BMC2012 Emergence of Giant Entrepreneurs.

The event was fully packaged to help upcoming young entrepreneurs build sustainable enterprises.
The event gathered together the best of the country’s (Nigeria) successful brands and personalities
in various sectors of the economy to come and mentor young but budding entrepreneurs.

With general sessions on Management, Branding and Finance, It equipped participants with
technical know-how to develop their business ideas and entrepreneurship capacities. The syndicate
sessions prepared for were includes the following; Information and Communication Technology
(ICT), Agriculture, Waste Recycling, Events Management, Fashion and Show-Biz.

Mentorship is a necessary factor and a significant cornerstone as far as success is concerned. It is
fulfilling to see these set successful entrepreneurs serve as facilitators and act as mentors in helping
the participants navigate through the maze of in their entrepreneurship journey. I am convinced that
this is a step in a right direction with potentials to create so many ripple effects which will help in
transforming our nation and the world at large.

Every developed nation cannot dissociate their development from the rich contribution of
entrepreneurship. If” development” is a “foundation”, entrepreneurship is not just a stone; it is a
chief “corner stone”.

“We were young, but we had good advice and good ideas and lots of enthusiasm”

Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft Corporation

Business Management Conference(BMC2012)

On Saturday,the 13th of October,2012,myself and some young minds passionate about combating the problem of unemployment that plagues our country(Nigeria) and the world at large will take a practical development solution centered around Entrepreneurship.

Entrepreneurship is not just talking,it is doing!!!

That is why on the Business Management Conference(BMC) platforms,seasoned and successful Nigeria entrepreneurs will gather at a suburb part of the city of Lagos,Nigeria to provide mentorship to youths from different backgrounds whose interest lie in a specific line of trade.

The Entrepreneurs who will act as facilitators have been chosen from different sectors and fields of the economy that has potentials and opportunities which the participants(youths) can take advantage of.

I believe this is a little(but effective) step towards our sustainable future as a Nation.

I count it a privilege to be a part of this positive change sweeping across our Nation and the world at large.

Below are the event details:

Business Management Conference(BMC) aims at producing young entrepreneurs who will become enterprise owners and create job opportunities for others.

Who should attend BMC2012? Someone (a youth) who seeks to become a next major entrepreneur.

What to expect?
Personal breakout sessions:
ICT: Gbenga Sesan (Nigeria's first Information Technology Youth Ambassador)

Event Management: Funke Bucknor(Zapphaire Events)

Fashion: Frank Osodi(House of Bunor)

Waste Recycling: Tosin Babajide(Broad Vision)

Agriculture: Mosunmola Umoru(prettyFarmer/Ministry of Agric.Lagos State)

Show-Biz: Bunmi Davies(Afrotainment)

General sessions include:
Ignition: Ayodele Aderinwale (Africa Leadership Forum)

Management: Johnson Abbaly(Achiever's Consortium)

Branding: Tayo Olosunde (E-green services/Mind the Gap)

Finance: Prof. Abby Awosika-Fapetu(Oasis Education) USA

Date:Saturday,13th October,2012

Venue: Farm Centre(Ministry of Agric and Cooperatives),Oko-Oba,Lagos.

Time:9.00am prompt(GMT+1)

How much does it cost:
Your commitment to being the best! Register at www.bmc.org.ng
and follow @BmcNigeria on twitter

For enquiries on participation/sponsorship,call:
Tolu: +2348051787296
Greg: +2348181059411
Contact: info@bmc.org.ng

Enough of talking, let's do the business!!!
Particpation is FREE!!!

Application closes:11th October,2012.

2012 International Youth Day: Building a Better World: Partnering with Youth

On 17 December 1999, in its resolution 54/120, the United Nations General Assembly endorsed the recommendation made by the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth (Lisbon, 8-12 August 1998) that 12 August be declared International Youth Day.

The theme of International Youth Day 2012 is "Building a Better World: Partnering with Youth" — a global call to action to develop and engage in partnerships with and for youth. It is true that the idea focuses on the United Nations, governments, the private sector, civil society, academia,philanthropists and stakeholders to see it as a duty to provide platforms and opportunities where partnerships with youths can thrive for adequate development.

But,behind this auspicious partnership with youths is a stronger idea and  embedded truth that places responsibility on youths all over the  world to become fore runners of this great initiative. Taking a quick look at the basics of partnership will help clarify the discourse of this article.

• A partnership is an association of two or more persons, known as general partners, who act as co-owners of a business and operate it for profit(profit here is relative)

• Partnership is workable if only there is an agreement reached by the partners

• Partnership imposes certain responsibilities and contributions from both partners

• When a partner defaults on agreed terms,the partnership could be dissolved.

The global challenges facing young people today such as unemployment,vulnerable working conditions and marginalization from decision making processes can only be mitigated against with the "Partnership" with youths.Youths will have to avail themselves of taking deliberate steps in line with the partnership process to maximize the inherent virtues and values.

Young people will have to synergise on common platforms that has the infusion of  :transfer of knowledge,deployment of expertise and sustainable platforms to realize the overall objectives of the intended partnership.It is on this platforms that hubs of capacity-building will offer young people the opportunity to become a worthy partner  and an effective role player.





By becoming active contributing partners,young people will translate themselves from just becoming on-lookers to key decision makers who will shape the political and economic frameworks that delivers tangible development across the globe a reality.

"To unleash the power of young people, we need to partner with them."
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

Youths on the go at Rio+20

Organized by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) was the session tagged "Sustainable Futures: Youth, Innovation and the MDGs. Other youths along myself became more aware that we are at a very historic and critical period.If we must preserve our world from the decadence across sectors and boarders,we had better start acting consciously to take steps that will lead us into the future we dream and envisage.

According to Thomas Stelzer, youths have the "luxury" of chance to initiate change processes because of the problems waiting to be solved. We need not wait for the government or treaties to start the change and development process. Those are the pitfalls of many developmental programs and ideas. The event focused on youth as agents of change and catalysts in achieving the MDGs and beyond, with a focus on innovations that are youth driven dealing with sustainable development.

The event was not downtrodden with just theories, facts and statements. It had the tone of action as it:

§  Presented some powerful examples of youth-led initiatives which impact local decision-making processes

§  Showcased technology social business solutions which empower communities

§  Provide recommendations for ensuring stronger linkages between the youth and MDG agenda 2015+

I am of the opinion that Rio+20 will be looked back at in twenty years from now with a huge reverence because of the overwhelming transformations that would have taken place because of youths (who will not bow their knees to any form of despondency, fear, intimidation or excuses but will scale above all odds to make our world a better place).

"Thinking will not overcome fear but action will." - W Clement Stone

Live from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil at the Earth Summit (Rio+20)

I am writing you live from the beautiful city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It’s the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development and it promises to be an historic platform to define and chart an effective pathway to a safer, cleaner, greener, more equitable, more productive and more prosperous world for all.

The UN is converging governments, international institutions and major groups to agree on a range of efficient and effective measures to reduce poverty while promoting decent jobs, clean energy and a more sustainable and fair use of resources.

I am of the opinion that the whole events will move the world from debate to action and stir the wheels of change to address the key issues such as poverty, environmental destruction and sustainability as a whole.

The major events starts today (20th -22nd June 2012) as side events already hosted by world organizations and agencies, international stakeholders and reputable parastatals have been happening for the past few days and the 3rd meeting of its Preparatory committee  held between13th -15th June 2012.

I will be posting related updates from the event and many more related articles on the issue of Sustainability.

"Rio+20 will be one of the most important global meetings on Sustainable Development in our time. At Rio, our vision must be clear: a sustainable green economy that protects the health of the environment while supporting achievement of the Millennium Development Goals through growth in income,decent work and poverty eradication  "

-    Ban Ki-moon

   United Nations Secretary-General