By Taonga Sabola in Barcelona, Spain:
The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) has partnered technology giant Huawei to launch Generation Connect Young Leadership Programme which seeks to empower young visionaries in countries including Malawi to develop their leadership potential.
ITU Director of Radio Communication Bureau Mario Maniewicz launched the programme during the Huawei Talent Summit on behalf of Director of the ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau Cosmas Zavazava.
Maniewicz said the programme serves to reinforce the pivotal role of ICT talent development in digital transformation, and the need to focus on nurturing the leadership capability of youth.
He observed that in the fast-paced digital world, youth have to be at the centre of discussions on developing talent and nurturing excellence.
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“As a generation of digital natives, young people are uniquely positioned to leverage ICTs as enablers to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, and create a safer, more prosperous digital future for all.
“At the same time, we must also acknowledge that young change makers are confronted with complex educational, financial, and socio-economic barriers as they strive to bring their innovative ideas and solutions to fruition,” Maniewicz said.
He added that ITU and Huawei are directly addressing these challenges and supporting the aspirations of young minds though the Generation Connect Young Leadership Programme.
The programme will identify dedicated future young leaders across the world to champion digitalisation through youth-led projects at the grassroots levels.
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Over the course of a year, the initiative will equip young innovators with mentorship, guidance and financial assistance for them to turn their digital development ideas into real, concrete, and impactful projects.
“The aspiration of the Generation Connect Young Leadership Programme is to empower participants with the opportunity and resources to meaningfully contribute and lead in the digital landscape, while benefitting from trainings and unique learning experiences.
“This project builds on previous collaborations on youth issues – for example, over the last 2 years, Generation Connect Youth Envoys have been participants in the Huawei Asia-Pacific Seeds of the Future programme. This epitomizes the power of global partnerships and initiatives to provide young people with genuine platforms to learn, contribute, and lead in the digital development sector and beyond,” Maniewicz said.
Young Malawians wishing to apply could visit https://www.itu.int/generationconnect/GCYLP.
Huawei Vice President for Corporate Communications Department Vicky Zhang said the company has long been committed to cultivating digital talent around the world.
“I’m happy to see that our joint projects with partners are going on smoothly. I hope more people can participate in these projects.
“Stay connected and be role models for others, we become more than the sum of our individual parts. This is how an inclusive digital future will be shaped,” Zhang said.
