By Macdonald Thom:
Labour Minister Agnes NyaLonje has said youths have the potential to contribute to national development if their ideas are embraced.
She made the remarks in Lilongwe on Friday during the opening of a two-day International Leadership Conference on Youth Entrepreneurship and Employability.
Evangelical Association of Malawi (EAM), in partnership with International Centre for Strategic Leadership (ICSL) and the International Christian Chamber of Commerce, organised the conference.
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NyaLonje said if those that are mandated to work with youths are not engaging in dialogue with the youth, resources may not be used optimally.
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“It is extremely important that there is dialogue. The youth have ideas. The youth can, themselves, be the builders of skills. There are a lot of youths who have a lot of possibilities. You look at the knowledge they bring and that knowledge enriches what you are able to do,” she said.
NyaLonje said the conference provided the youth with an opportunity to share ideas with decision makers.
ICSL President John Kauya, who is a Malawian based in Botswana, said he decided to take part in conference activities to share ideas with Malawian youths.
He said he has been involved in similar activities in Rwanda, Namibia and other countries in Africa.
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“If we can partner and establish entrepreneurship development centres across Malawi, I think we can transform the country,” he said.
EAM General Secretary, Reverend, Francis Mkandawire, said the church can play a significant role in changing the mindset of youths.
“It is our prayer that many of our youths can be exposed to such messages,” Mkandawire said.
About 400 young people attended the two-day conference, which attracted speakers from the United States and the United Kingdom.
