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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 2022: "Intergenerational Solidarity: Creating a World for All Ages"


The virtual Innovation Collaboratory included five panels (each consisting of a youth moderator, one or two MSU faculty members acting as discussants, and youth presenters) and a space devoted for networking. We were pleased to hear from a total of 19 youth participants from 16 different countries and nations.

Panel #1: Youth & COVID-19: Response, Recovery, and Resilience

Youth Moderator: Atiqah Raduan (Brunei)
Discussant: Anjam Chaudhary, ISP DEI Program Coordinator

Youth PresenterTitle
Tanya Marwaha (UK) Positive Mental Health During Challenging Times
Olaniyi Fatalade (Nigeria) Youth's Restiveness in COVID-19 Era: Recovery Plan for SDG's Actualisation in Nigeria
Emily Williams (Jamaica) Extending Culture Amidst a COVID-19 Pandemic
Asha Jaffar (Kenya) Organizing During COVID Lockdown

Panel #2: Education: Empower the Youth to Change the World

Youth Moderator: Maria Antonia Deziderio (Brazil)
Discussants:
- Emily Holley, Associate Director of the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies
- Rebekah Gordon, Interim Program Coordinator for American Semester Program and Exchanges

Youth PresenterTitle
James Ntakiruti Gihoma (Uganda) COVID-19 Resilience and Recovery in Refugee Settlement in Uganda
Joel Saboi Mvula (Zambia) How to Steer Emancipation Through Capacity Building? A Case of Masambilo Research and Sustainability Action
Ralycia Andrews (St. Vincent and the Grenadines) The Garifuna University Without Walls: Cultural Sustainability, Education and Innovation at Your Fingertips

Panel #3: Enabling Environment: Sustainability in Youth

Youth Moderator: Benson Abila (Kenya)
Discussant: Felix Kwame Yeboah, Director of the Tanzania Partnership Program

Youth PresenterTitle
Abraham Kalonga (Tanzania) Mushroom Farming for Food and Nutrition Security, Employment Opportunities, Climate Change Mitigation and Poverty Alleviation
Johnmary Kavuma (Uganda) Empowering Communities to Construct Homes from Plastic Waste
Michael Diala (Nigeria) Youth-led Climate Citizenship in Port Harcourt
Engule Bern (Uganda) Enabling Reliable Connections Between Most Remote Small Scale Farmers and Engaged Urban Food Retailers

Panel #4: Youth & Gender Equality: A Better Future for All

Youth Moderator: Hibah Siddiqui (USA)
Discussants:
- Lina Qu, Assistant Professor of Linguistics Languages and Cultures
- Rajalakshmi Nadadur, Assistant Director of the Center for Gender in Global Context

Youth PresenterTitle
Mwesigwa Jonah (Uganda) Supporting Women & Sustainable Development
Ibrahim Kakinda (Uganda) Ending Child Marriage and Early Unions
Elizabeth Adikah (Ghana) Reducing Unemployment Among Women in Rural Communities
Ngwa Patrick Shu (Cameroon) Give Her a Chance

Panel #5: Social Entrepreneurship: Redefining and Amplifying Youth Voices

Youth Moderator: Alberto Acosta (Mexico)
Discussant: Dànielle Nicole DeVoss, Interim Chairperson for the Department of Writing, Rhetoric, and American Cultures, William J. Beal Distinguished Professor

Youth PresenterTitle
Kiggundu Samuel (Uganda) Bridging Intergenerational Gaps Through Village Savings and Loans Associations
Hsu (Myanmar/Burma) Resistance Through Promoting Livelihoods of Civil Disobedience Movement Advocates
Christopher Omowa (Nigeria) Performance & Visual Art: A Tool for Social Change
Zouina Sarfraz (Pakistan) Will COVID-19 Plunge Us From the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0) to the Fifth (Society 5.0)?


Welcome & Opening remarks:

- Dean Steven Hanson, Associate Provost and Dean for International Studies and Programs
- Opal Leeman Bartzis Ed.D., Executive Director of Education Abroad & GYAN Interim Director

Closing Remarks:
- Dr. Chinwe Effiong, Chief Program Officer at GlobalGiving and former GYAN Assistant Dean