This conversation is closed. Start a new conversation
or join one »
In what practical ways can African states tackle the issue of poverty and unemployment amongst its young people?
Many African states list their young people as a vital resource base. But very disturbing is the fact that young people in Africa are left to rot due largely to almost zero opportunity and failing structures compounded by systemic corruption. Now, for African states a wasting generation of young people is a more threatening challenge than political instability.
Ryan Blough
Senthil Rajendran
Globalization and similar fancy stuff can be thought of much later. Also, this way, try to reduce dependency on governments (i know this is the toughest part, but this is where real innovation is required - especially when the governance does not help the people).
Ned barlow
The barriers range in length from a few hundred yards to over three miles (5 km). They may be made of iron, brick, and/or steel and are up to 25 feet (7.6 m) high. Some have gates in them (sometimes staffed by police) that allow passage during daylight but are closed at night.
They were built as temporary structures meant to last only six months, but due to their effective nature they have become wider, longer and more permanent. Originally few in number, they have multiplied over the years, from 18 in the early 1990s to 40 today; in total they stretch over 13 miles (21 km), with most located in Belfast.
Is this insane, or is it just me! praise the lord(s).
Ned barlow
Slowly begin to reveal religions for what they are, control mechanisms of the ignorant! You are either a part of the solution or problem, yes you!
Ban the insanity that continues through lack of education by exposing religions as simply a method to separate children.
See Peace wall in N. Ireland if you don't believe this? Educate yourself! Put traditions aside. Understand why prescott bush was hitler's buddy! Why ike caused the death of 2 million germans. Learn why every election since Lincoln was rigged and by whom? good luck
Iulian Sociale Ingegnere
Krisztián Pintér 200+
pat gilbert 50+
Krisztián Pintér 200+
pat gilbert 50+
Iulian Sociale Ingegnere
Give a chanse to anyone in your community as i stated in my comments about maybe an ideal way to start a small business and have succes in your country and evan outside. If you want read my post about how the Europe started to do business and how they grow but how they also forgot now in many countries. A very important thing that you can do is to not forget your roots your ancestors and their beliefs and their way that made survive and live in your countries but with those roots try to improve step by step with things that you consider can be helpful for you. What i want to say is to not let you influenced by the other more modern countries and their way of living becouse maybe those solutions are not (and for sure most of them) suitable for your living conditions and your families. You need people that are educated in other countries but to not forget the living conditions from their origins so when they come back to try to find solutions with the resources they have there. People that stay home should help each other in any way if they can do it. Living conditions there are very hard and maybe you do not evan have the day by day things you need. I will give a small example with things that I am aware I am doing wrong but I am doing just to communicate with you now. I am using a tool Internet and computers that maybe were made by exploiting a lot of poor people also from your country. I am also one that I contributed to develop this thing called technology but now I do not feel very good sincerely. I refuse to watch Animal Planet tv channel or things that in the past made a lot of harm to people there and I use them when i have something to say like now and other times I use them to try to help and I waste resources but sincerely I think they make more harm than good. I wish you to have the power to feel what is good.
Rhett Sorensen
Education and opportunities to gain experience in a profession/trade would do wonders. But as important as that is, it will be difficult for anyone to advance themselves with the government corruption and instability that plagues most African Nations. Other countries that have dealt with massive levels of government corruption and instability have had to revolt and form new, better governments. We have seen that very thing happen numerous times in Africa and a new dictator takes power and reinstitutionalizes the same sort of corruption that was recently overthrown. The corruption cycle is symptomatic of extreme poverty. Hence the reason why a dictator is removed and those taking power are instantly corrupted by the wealth suddenly available to them. If there was enough to go around then officials would likely feel less inclines to fleece the people and investors etc.
Now, going back to education. If the people are not educated then there is little to no possibility or replacing a bad government with a good one. If education improves then perhaps the people will begin to see what possibly are available and will fight to implement a more effective form of government.
So, here is my formula poverty creates corruption/crime which perpetuates poverty and creates more corruption/crime. Education provides opportunity and hopefully industry (which might just get overwhelmed by corruption and crime) but I really see no other way to break the vicious cycle. So ultimately my one word answer to how to fix Africa would be.....EDUCATION.
Andrew Spence 20+
chen xin
most of the governments run just for their own interests in africa.they dont care people they just want to earn enough money and have a better life .they forget their people also need a better life ,so only knocked can solve it in a short time .
Scott Koenraadt
1) general food aid should be slowed down, and decreased annually, this will allow farmers to be able to profit and grow instead of being undercut by 'free' food from the world.
2) prevent mechanization of agriculture for now, instead allow natural industrial growth by requiring farms to have many hired hands
3) have local governments start public works, such as road construction, well digging, water purification processes start
4) encourage farmers to grow food instead of cash crops, also encourage a solid crop rotation
a note on #4 is that the world also has to forgive or stop charging interest on the African states, this would be the most momentous and country shaping idea.
Berend Maepa
encourage the youth to participate on creating better entrepreneurs and leaders of tomorrow because it is quite clear that leadership in Africa oppresses the youth
Feyisayo Anjorin 50+
I hope you see this reply.
The influence of tribes is strong in countries with two or three tribes; but most African nations have dozens of tribes. As far as governance is concerned it is usually a class problem. It is two main classes: The opulent and materialistic elite (who are in government); and the poor majority.
It is like the aparthied thing; except that it is a case of blacks oppressing blacks.
Wade Crum
Start with several pilot studies to work out the details. emulate the system that all agree serves the people of that community. Everyone in the community is responsible for the success of it's community. Use everyone's unique gifts to it's potential to contibute to the whole. Unique gifts can be found through trial and errorr and education.
Hope I have provided you with some ideas. The details would be subject to the needs of those involved thus I can't really accurately provide those.
chen xin
Feyisayo Anjorin 50+
In South Africa the aparthied government saw governance as a service to the people (unfortunately black people did not benefit from this); but in most African countries, the national treasury handled like the private account of rulers who call themselves leaders.
African nations are ruled by elites who have travelled out of their respective nations and have seen systems that work and could be adopted to transform their countries.
For whatever reason they are just not doing it.
Fritzie Reisner 100+
Can you suggest a good book about modern Africa for the book readers among us?
shawn disney 10+
Joan Camden
So let us change our attitudes towards Africa. Aid has been sent to Africa for over 20 years and clearly it is not as effective as people like to think. Africans need to be empowered, they need to be self reliant and self dependent. If the western world wants to help so much,let them partner with credible young entreprenuers in Africa, dont try to save us, work with us.
Corey DeAngelis
That being said, they need to make sure there is an economic system in place that will support privatized businesses; if this is not the case, then this is where countries should focus on providing assistance.
shawn disney 10+
The money that the west sends them ends up in the Looters private bank accounts. If you want to do something constructive, let the UN stop coddling the Failed States, and let them conduct a Neo-Tribalism,
Self-Determination re drawing of borders.
pat gilbert 50+
PS
Mr Kagame may not be as ingenuous as first thought, power corrupts....
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/oct/10/paul-kagame-rwanda-success-authoritarian?newsfeed=true
Henry Woeltjen 10+
How do we deliver aid to countries with corrupt leadership?
chen xin
because it is a responsibility of human beings i think we help where we are need ,and at the same time i think you should call you guys to jion in .what they need is advanced ideas and a good leader .
do you like to go
another i think it is continent full of resouce,we can call our company to coroperate with their people
many famous people would like to do for free in africa , there are many students in china go to south africa to do as a worker.in their summer holiday . i think it will help a lot .we should do what what we can to help them ,little by little ,there will be a big change .
chen xin
about the proverty and unemplayment i think you should do something to impact your leaders and also you should coroperate with some other countries .i know china have invested much in africa ,and i think noe it is the time to do something to improve you ecnomics and your rights ,i think you people should always keep working and do not ask too much but just do it .i think you will have a return .
keep working hard is very important ,that is it .opertunituty is optunitity ,you should ask too much ,destiny will bless you .
Henry Woeltjen 10+
Many of these governments don't ever allow aid to reach the people. Do you think it may become necessary for other governments to intervene?
chen xin
whlle i think we shouldnt use some ways which are too over reacted,like war ,and some other things which causes blood ,i think conoperate is a good way ,and also we can donate money .or just do as a worker for free.anything else without flood and wars
Feyisayo Anjorin 50+
Firstly, African youths have to dismiss the thought that the government is a sort of 'Messiah' or saviour. The change needed for progress will not come from the government because the failed political and economic system is the making of the people.
Secondly, Africans should be reminded of the importance of hardwork and discipline as the only ways of being successful and of remaining successful.
Most of the people belonging to the African elite are too focussed on having more money and material acquisition. Education is usually seen as a way of getting a good job (and of course being paid a fat salary) , and of impressing people with complicated explanations of simple things. The so-called elite and the businesspersons become complascent as soon as they make money.
We've had cases of people who would call themselves human-rights activists; but as soon as they are in government they start doing the same thing they've critizised again and again.
And there is so much belief in the myth that every good thing will come as long as you can pray and trust God. Africans take their belief in God too far; thinking that God would do what he has given them wisdom to do. No nation has become great by abandoning her fate to God and prayers but I know that most African nations are into the 'prayers and no planning' thing.
Attitudinal change is important for the purpose of building strong and sustianable economic and political systems. One can keep blaming African leaders......but dont forget that leaders are neither aliens nor spirits. They come from the people.
Henry Woeltjen 10+
How do these children change their attitude while they live in death and poverty?
Feyisayo Anjorin 50+
Most African nations have mineral resources like crude oil, gold, diamond, platinum and so on. There are universities here, and there are thriving businesses;and not a few Africans are educated.
The question you have not answered is what the educated people of Africa have done to transform the continent. And as I have stated, if you blame the leaders, where are the leaders from?
Ken brown 30+
How deep is the power base of the tribes in government/s? If there is a leaning towards one group then is it a power struggle due to neo-nepotism? or am i way off the mark completely?
Roberto Garcia
From my optics, there are a few key points that affect Africa but i will only focus on one. Africa is a great continent, lots of natural resources and lots of good people that do not hesitate to work hard. But some countries in Africa are not politically stable because of internal conflicts due to the lack of "tribal tolerance" or simple political affairs. When a country goes through years and years civil conflict economy weakens, no industry, no investment and that means no good jobs for the emerging generations. But how to teach politicians that most issues can be solved with a sincere handshake?
Henry Woeltjen 10+
I don't think a handshake will work for many of these leaders. These leaders are hungry for power and control. Those two things are the only methods to quench that thirst.
However, diplomacy may work if we can identify leaders that may be open to compromise.
Kashaf Mamoon
Public awareness
proper guidance
making few scope for few people then these few people will make scope for another few and like this if you will continue this chain then the unemployment will be vanished.
Gail . 50+
If all of those unemployed youth could learn how to build houses from indigenous materials, they could built houses. Not for $$$, but for houses. Look at the young man who took it upon himself to learn how to build a wind mill to pull water out of the ground, and to produce electricity for his village. When you take money out of the picture, all kinds of wonderful things can happen. Equality and cooperation can prosper.
I think that if the Internet were available in every African village, and it were free, and Africa started a campaign for donors to send used computers to needy villages, that the people would begin educating themselves about many things, and education is inspirational.
Hmmm. I am going to see if there is a foundation that collects used laptops. This sounds like a good idea. I could do that if it's not being done.
Henry Woeltjen 10+
What about capitalism do you think causes poverty?
Gail . 50+
1st he introduces the rights of private property ownership with these 3 rational provisos:
There must be enough left over
You must not let it spoil (let things not go to waste)
You must mix your labor with it.
Then he shows that with the introduction of $, along with men's tacit agreement to put value on it, the all the provisos are no longer applicable.
1. Now you no longer have to mix your labor with your property. Now you can buy labor and profit from money itself.
2. There is no longer a consideration of spoilage, because money cannot spoil.
3. There is no longer a consideration for whether there is $ left over for others, because ownership of $, an intangible invention, is not a basic human right. And if money can buy land, without leaving enough for others, then access to land (for food/clothing/shelter) is no longer a basic human right.
Then comes Adam Smith, (Wealth of Nations - another canonical text). He accepts the above, saying that the right to own the labor of others - without limits - is granted by a natural law. (the invisible hand).
Within this natural law, he says, the scantiness of subsistence, that's caused by not enough money in the hands of the poor, puts natural limits on the "RACE of laborers" (his words). He states that the greater number of their children MUST die in the name of the economic system, and the free market, with money as its foundation, will take care of that using natural law.
In other words, capitalism cannot work unless there are poor people, or if there are too many poor people, but don't worry about them. A majority will die from poverty related issues (hunger, disease, exposure, war, etc) so that the cost of providing for them will not dip too deeply into the private property of the wealthy.
Capitalism requires inequality.
PS: War is the most profitable.
chen xin
while at this point i dont agree
you say Capitalism requires inequality .
while some european countries like norway fenland ,they are all capitalism countres why they have a much better life compared to america . and they have a much common level in each person'salary so what i want to say is that your country's welfare
is not being worked well .
you know recently french bosses are escaping to england why because their government put a heavy tax to them.
i think at root it is how we treat the wealth of different people .and i think we must have a
much more nimble policy.
Rich Goulet
Besides do we really think that government bureaucrats can make better decisions than business people?
I know my attitude flys in the face of many of the subscribers to Ted. But none of us is smart enough to run a huge economy. Although some won't admit it.
Gail . 50+
Rich Goulet
I'm sure you are a kind, loving person who cares a great deal about humanity. However, what you describe is like chocolate that won't make you fat. It's a great dream but won't happen. In the real world money is the method of exchange that is most efficient. I just believe that capatilism is the system that offers the most benefits, efficiently.
I do volunteer work for a group called ShelterBox. Without money and the effort of people worldwide we would not be able to fulfill our mission to deliver shelter to those who have been effected by war or other disasters. We couldn't do the good we do using a moneyless gift economy. How would we get a ShelterBox to Africa or Asia within a week after am earthquatke? Gifts wouldn't do it.
David Hamilton 50+
This is not just incredibly effective for young people but it would, by far, be the best way to re engage older people who have not yet learned basic skills. They can sit, in private, at the library, and no one will bother them, or make fun of them for doing young childrens work to catch up.
How could you do this cheaply? Well. Not for profit, might work. Government sponsored might work. Even, if the people trust the current military, you could use bases as classrooms, and make people feel more connected to and comfortable with their soldiers, that would be really cheap. Most African countries would have great difficulty implementing something like this however, and I am far too ignorant of Nigerie to know what would work for them specifically.
Tariffs, and home product bias, help. Small business loans sponsored by local wealthy people, or the government, could create companies that make simple agriculture, and trade goods, and then be seen buying and supporting those local businesses, as a matter of national pride. I think people often think that "home bias" is about economic warfare, or descrimination, but actually it is much simpler, if every nation likes its products a little bit more than its neighbors, less goods will require expensive transport, and all local economies will be a bit more stable. It's not about not liking your neighboring country, it's about liking your actual neighbor with a business, just a bit more. Solar concentration.
Henry Woeltjen 10+
How much do you think it would cost to build an online database large enough to teach people from kindergarten through the doctorate level?
If it was offered for free how would you handle the overwhelming load of people?
David Hamilton 50+
Henry Woeltjen 10+
Iulian Sociale Ingegnere
Fritzie Reisner 100+
Take a look online at OpenIDEO. The evaluation phase there is nearing its end, which will result in the featuring of the dozen or so best concepts.
John Smith 30+