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International Youth Day: Innovation Collaboratory

In honor of International Youth Day, an observance recognized by The United Nations and celebrated annually on August 12, GYAN's Innovation Collaboratory allows global youth to expand their networks, build strategic partnerships, discuss ways to achieve success, and share their positive contributions to their communities and nations.


International Youth Day 2023: "Green Skills for Youth: Towards a Sustainable World"


The virtual Innovation Collaboratory included six panels (each consisting of a youth group coordinator, one MSU faculty member acting as an expert, and youth presenters) and a space devoted for networking. We were pleased to hear from a total of 16 youth participants from 11 different countries and nations.

Learn more about all Youth Group Coordinators, Experts, and
Youth Presenters in this PDF!
 


Group #1

Group Youth Coordinator: Wilson Amoah (Ghana)
Expert: Krista McCallum Beatty, director of the Office for International Students and Scholars (OISS) 

Youth PresenterTitle
Benson Abila (Kenya) M-taka: Leveraging Technology and Social Incentives to Increase Recycling Culture
Cherno Gaye (Gambia) The Hunter Who Could Never Bring His Kill Home (Climate Change)
Johnmary Kavuma (Uganda) Upcycle Africa: Empowering Youth to Tackle the Waste Crisis

Group #2

Youth Group Coordinator: Zigwai Tagwai (Nigeria)
Expert: Debra Thornton-Fitzpatrick, Associate Director of University Advising

Youth PresenterTitle
Djamira Zorom (Burkina Faso) Peace Begins With Me
Lilian Sambu (Tanzania) Inclusive Digital Training to Off Grid Areas & Agregation Services for Rural Women & Youth Economic Empowerment
Thabang Nyatlo (South Africa) Skills in Sustainable Agriculture for a Sustainable World?

Group #3

Youth Group Coordinator: Taiwo Olawehinmi (Nigeria)
Expert: Mike Lindhout, Senior Director of International Advancement

Youth PresenterTitle
Patrick Kabanda (Zambia) Community Based Disaster Risk Reduction for Community Resilience
David Kor (Nigeria) Empowering Nigerian Young People with High-Demand Digital Skills for 21st-Century Jobs
Umar Abdullahi (Nigeria) Harnessing Digital Transformation to Empower Youth Through Digitally Enabled Jobs

Group #4

Youth Group Coordinator: Oluwatosin Oyetayo (Nigeria)
Expert: Volodymyr V. Tarabara, Director of the Center for European, Russian and Eurasian Studies 

Youth PresenterTitle
Jemimah David-Makeri (Nigeria)  Preserving the Simplicity of Childhood
Raymond Musiima (Uganda) Incentivising Safe Classrooms for Improved Education Outcomes
Calvin Manika (Zimbabwe) Children’s Centred News and Solutions Journalism in the Marginalised Communities

Group #5

Youth Group Coordinator: Lois Ezebuiro (Nigeria)
Expert: Isaac Kalumbu, Assistant Director for Outreach, African Studies Center

Youth PresenterTitle
Olabode Ekerin (Nigeria) Creating a Path to Inclusive Healthcare: LGBTQ Health Education for Health Profession Students in Nigeria
Vincent Jemovo (Kenya) Developing Antigen-specific Rapid Diagnostic Test Kit Using Monoclonal Antibodies for Detection of Theileiria Parva

Group #6

Youth Group Coordinator: Fridah Okomo (Kenya)
Expert: Angela Boldrey, Financial Services Coordinator, Education Abroad

Youth PresenterTitle
Vanessa Angela Sugianto (Indonesia) Students’ Knowledge Application, Hard-Skills, and Soft-Skills Improvement with an International Camaraderie Competition (IC2)
Olaniyi Ajayi (Nigeria) The Safety of Youths in a Decent Clime to Achieve Sustainable Development Goals


Welcome & Opening remarks:

- Dean Steven Hanson, Vice Provost and Dean for International Studies and Programs

Closing Remarks:
- Opal Leeman Bartzis Ed.D., Executive Director of Education Abroad & GYAN Interim Director


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