The Young African Leaders Forum
Jeffrey Sachs appreciates AAU, plans to come to campus for lecture
The Young African Leaders Forum is held on July 15, 2015 at Sheraton Addis Hotel. It was a side event with The Third International Conference on Financing for Development last week in Addis Ababa.
The Event aimed at creating a platform for Africa’s entrepreneurs to define the Sustainable Development Goals clearly so that dynamic forces in the continent can be inspired to play a key role in driving and managing the implementation of the goals. The forum is organized by UBUNTU Events and cosponsored by the Office of Vice President for Research and Technology Transfer of AAU.
On the occasion, Professor Jeffrey Sachs, a world-renowned economist, spoke about Sustainable Development Goals and African young leaders what to do to achieve goals they set. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which is a package of UN for the next 15 years, is to be endorsed next September at New York Summit.
Professor Jeffery Sachs advised young African leaders to be upfront and dynamic to change their continent. He insisted young Africans to plan things they do and implement them by taking challenges as opportunities. Strive for change and strive for the better future of Africa, he said for the forum participants.
Professor Jeffery Sachs was involved highly during the draft of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) when he was the economic advisor of Kofi Anan, the then General Secretary of UN. He is also special advisor for the incumbent General Secretary of UN, Ban Ki-moon.
He insisted Ethiopia to focus on power generation. “It is right Ethiopia to invest on power generation. Because without electricity, there is no development”, Sachs emphasized. “Build your energy”, he advised African young leaders.
Professor Jeffery Sachs appreciated AAU for its huge capacity in hosting more than 50,000 students and several programs. He said AAU will be the strongest supporter in changing Ethiopia’s future. “My university, Columbia, can be considered as a school when it is compared with AAU by the size of student population and other activities mentioned by the vice president of AAU”, he appreciated. He is also ready to work with AAU and to come to campus to share his valuable experiences for the students and staff.
It is incredible for AAU to be promised by professor Jeffery Sachs to working together, one of the three most influential living economists in the world.
Representing AAU, Dr. Tasew W/Hana, Vice President for the Office of Research and Technology Transfer at AAU, on his remark at the forum said such forum provides a great stimulus and encouragement for young bright African entrepreneurs.
Dr. Tasew talked about AAU and its role in Ethiopia. As a pioneer in higher education and research, according to Dr. Tasew, AAU tries to address the “ever changing demands of Ethiopia”.
Mr. Joseph Chilengi, presiding Officer at African Union-ECOSOCC concluded the event by his constructive remarks forwarded to the youth in Africa.