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ACP DYSS Youth Conferencing
THE DEPARTMENT OF ACP-DYSS YOUTH CONFERENCING
Introduction
Youth conferencing is an initiative of ACP DYSS focused on creating a platform for ACP diaspora youth in Europe, UK and grassroot to learn, share and express their views on multi-versatile developmental issues (innovation, economic, sustainable development etc.) facing ACP regions, countries and communities. The main aim of this department is to consolidate the contribution of the ACP diaspora youth in Europe, UK and grassroot to the development of ACP countries by enhancing their participation in conferencing, symposiums, debates and panel discussions on social, cultural, economic, political and environmental issues facing ACP country regions.
The department of ACP DYSS youth conferencing commits to re-education and working together with ACP diaspora youth in Europe, UK and grassroot to encourage individual expression, participation and contribution in decision making in different areas that pose a problem in ACP regions. To this end, the ACP DYSS youth conferencing engages ACP youth at all levels in discussing problems identified and providing sustainable solutions to existing challenges to promote Pan Africanism effort. This will in-turn attain collective self-realization. The youth conferencing will showcase the might of Pan Africanism which is a unique feature of the conference.
Since April 2020, due to the cruciality of ACP DYSS achieving her core objective, ACP DYSS have decided to focus on organising youth conferencing for ACP youth.
History
The International Students’ Conference (Now, ACP Youth Conferencing) was first launched in Ghent University in 2014 and since then been regarded as the first ever International Students’ Conference from 1962 when the International students’ programme began in Belgium. Over the six years (2014 – 2019), the conference witnessed growth in attendance, gathering over 300 participants including (Students, Alumni and Youth, Ambassadors, Presidents of Member States, Honourable Members of High Commission, Directors, and CEOs of different Organizations) in and out of Belgium. ISC is the brainchild of Stephen Chigbo who founded it in 2014, under his leadership as the President of the International Students’ Association of Ghent University (ISAG), with the support of ISAG executive members: Ufomba Innocent (Secretary General), Ogbonna Chinwe (Welfare Officer), Mary Swiri (Assistant Welfare Officer), and Ghent University officials Dr. Nancy Terryn, Ann Van Hauwaert, and Dr. Annelies Verdoolaege.
The idea for the conference arose as a result of feedback from current and former international students at UGent faced with the challenges of “what next” after successfully completing their studies in Belgium Universities on how to prepare them for the challenges ahead after graduation; and how they will be able to contribute to the development of their home country and the abroad study environment with the knowledge and skills they have acquired.
The conference was approved and graced by his chairmanship, the Rector of Ghent University Prof. Dr. Emeritus Paul Van Cauwenberge, currently the Pro-rector of Ghent University.
ISC was a landmark with the aim of integrating all universities in Belgium, EU and beyond. In 2016, ISC was integrated into ACP Diaspora Youth Support Services (ACP DYSS) for proper management, and was organized in partnership with the International Students’ Association of Ghent University (ISAG) and parent institution Ghent University (UGent) and other supporting universities: Vrije Universiteit Brussels VUB, University of Antwerp, KU Leuven and alumni from the different universities in Belgium. The conference was aimed at gearing international students to be engaged in innovation, economic, and human development responses for growth in their home countries and study environments.
The conference was aimed at addressing the question of how international students can contribute to sustainable development of their home countries and regions after a successful study experience abroad. It was an international conference also touching on the role of University alumni in capacity building at home (especially for countries in the South), and how sustainable development can be supported through collaboration and linkages between Universities in the South and the North.
Specific objectives of ACP Youth Conferencing:
- To promote advocacy and human rights in the ACP countries through re- education and working together with ACP youth and youth organizations in ACP countries.
- To enhance collaboration and networking among ACP diaspora youth and grassroot in carrying out developmental projects with ACP regions.
- To keep ACP diaspora youth informed on ideas on how they can enhance collaboration and linkage with home country institutions in carrying out educational research.
- To enhance entrepreneurial development capacity of ACP diaspora youth and grassroot for sustainable self-employment.
- To work together to broaden understanding of development policy and opportunities in ACP country regions by ACP diaspora youth and grassroot.
Key Conference focus:
- Governance /Leadership
- Research, Collaboration, and Linkage, Proposal Writing
- Entrepreneurship
- Agriculture
- Innovation and Information Technology
- Health, Social Integration and Welfare
- Climate Change
- Awareness against Terrorism and Radicalism among Youths
- Women Empowerment
Publications:
Contacts
Engr. Stephen Chigbo
ISC 2014, the 1st International Students’ Conference was held at Ghent University Belgium on the 11th of November 2014. The theme of the conference was ‘what next’ How international students will contribute to the development of their home countries and study environment, under the chairmanship of the Ghent University Prorector: Prof. em. Paul Van Cauwenberge.
Benefits for International and Home Students: Participating in EU projects, African Caribbean and Pacific Young Entrepreneurial Projects, African Union Youth recruitment for Young Entrepreneurship/ start-ups, research funding, project writing, collaboration, and linkage.
Attendees of the conference: Students, Alumni and Youths, Ambassadors, Presidents of Members States, Honourable Members of High Commission, Directors, CEOs of different Organizations, and University Pro – Rector, Rectors, Vice rectors and Staff.
ISC 2015, the 2nd International Students Conference was held at Ghent University Belgium on the 11th of November 2015. The theme of the conference was ‘what next’ How international students will contribute to the development of their home countries and study environment, under the chairmanship of the Ghent University Prorector: Prof. em. Paul Van Cauwenberge. Benefits for International and Home Students: Participating in EU projects, African Caribbean and Pacific Young Entrepreneurial Projects, African Union Youth recruitment for Young Entrepreneurship/ start-ups, research funding, project writing, collaboration and linkage.
ISC 2016 @ Gent University, Belgium
ISC 2016, the 3rd International Students Conference was held at Ghent University Belgium on the 11th of November 2016. The theme of the conference was ‘what next’ How international students will contribute to the development of their home countries and study environment, under the chairmanship of the Ghent University Prorector: Prof. em. Paul Van Cauwenberge.
The conference theme for 2016 includes: immigration upsurge, climate change, innovative entrepreneurial development among graduates and especially how to keep the youth away from radicalism and terrorism. This would yield innovative response and human resource growth both in their home countries/regions and the study abroad environment.
Benefits for International and Home Students: Participating in EU projects, African Caribbean and Pacific Young Entrepreneurial Projects, African Union Youth recruitment for Young Entrepreneurship/ start-ups, research funding, project writing, collaboration and linkage.
Attendees of the conference: Students, Alumni and Youths, Ambassadors, Presidents of Members States, Honourable Members of High Commission, Directors, CEOs of different Organizations, and University Prorector, Rectors, Vice rectors and Staff.
ISC 2017, the 4th International Students Conference was held at Vrije Universiteit Brussels (VUB) Belgium on the 11th of November 2017. The theme of the conference was ‘what next’ How international students will contribute to the development of their home countries and study environment. The theme for 2017 was aimed at the best ways Youths can make contributions in innovative entrepreneurial development among graduates.
The areas of discussion cut across: Youths in technology and leadership, women empowerment, migration, and health, promoting circular economy – climate-smart technology, promotion of entrepreneurship and NGOs among youths.
Conference Benefits for International and Home Students: CV submission for Internships and recruitment, participating in EU projects, African Caribbean and Pacific Young Entrepreneurial Projects, African Union Youth recruitment for Young Entrepreneurship/ start-ups, research funding, project writing, collaboration and linkage.
Dignitaries and speakers present included: VUB Vice Rector on Innovation and Industrial Policy. Prof. Hugo Thienpont; H. E. Amb. Ajay Bramdeo: Permanent Representative to the African Union, EU and ACP {Represented by Mr. Francis Bokilo – Economist (Congo Braza ville); ACP DYSS President – Dr. Jacinta Lemba; World Youth Alliance Europe Regional Director – Mr. Hrvoje Vargić; University of Birmingham – Luke Robertshaw; ISC Chairman and ACP DYSS Vice President – Engr. Stephen Chigbo; H.E Nigerian Ambassador to the EU – Amb. Mrs. Nonye Udo; Founder of Digital African Woman (DAW) – Ms. Khadijat Abdulkadir; and ACP-DYSS’s entrepreneurial management and innovation Project Coordinator – Dr. Tom Ako.
ISC 2018, the 5th International Students Conference was held at Ghent University Belgium on the 10th of November 2018. The theme of the conference was ‘what next’ How international students will contribute to the development of their home countries and study environment. The theme for 2018 was aimed towards Youth led Innovation for Education and Entrepreneurial Empowerment.
Conference Benefits for International and Home Students: Participating in EU projects, African Caribbean and Pacific Young Entrepreneurial Projects, African Union Youth recruitment for Young Entrepreneurship/ start-ups, research funding, project writing, collaboration and linkage.
Dignitaries and speakers present included: ACP DYSS President – Dr. Jacinta Lemba; ISC Chairman and ACP DYSS Vice President – Engr. Stephen Chigbo; UGent Pro rector -Prof. Em. Paul Van Cauwenberge; University of Ghent Vice Rector – Prof. Mieke Van Herreweghe; Nigerian Ambassador to the EU – H.E Mr. Ahmed INUSA; Moderator and Facilitator of ISC 2018 – Dr. Annelies Verdoolaege – Gents Afrika Platform – GAP– Coordinator Ugent; Mr. Dzi Kevin – ISAG President UGent; Mr. Paul K. Kissi – VUB Africa President; Ms. Ogbonna Chinwe (MBA Candidate KULeuven); Ugent Alumni Testimonies – Huanya Zhao (China Platform); Ugent Alumni Testimonies – Claudia Colmenarez (PhD) (Mexico – CESAM Platform); UGent Dare to Venture – Mr. Maarten Van Gorp – Start up community builder & Coach; Mr. Scott Ralston Partnership Executive – One Young World; Ms. Elisabeth Gudenus – Regional Director World Youth Alliance Europe WYA Europe and Mr. Sérilo Looky – Alliance Diaspora Director for AGYP France – Young cooperate Business.
ISC 2019, the 6th International Students Conference was held at Ghent University Belgium on the 9th of November 2019. The theme of the conference was ‘what next’ How international students will contribute to the development of their home countries and study environment. The theme for 2019 was aimed at contributing towards achieving SDG8: Youth Mental Health, Decent Work & Economic Growth.
Benefits for International and Home Students: Participating in EU projects, African Caribbean and Pacific Young Entrepreneurial Projects, African Union Youth recruitment for Young Entrepreneurship / start-ups, research funding, Project writing, collaboration and linkage.
Dignitaries and speakers attended included: ISC Chairman and ACP DYSS Vice President – Engr. Stephen Chigbo; UGent Alumni Testimony – Caleb Egene (PhD Candidate UGent); ACP DYSS Dir. Governance and Policy – Williams Vodouhe; Hayley Mulenda -Mental Health Advocate UK “Pain to Purpose”; Meg Zeenat Wamithi – One Young World Ambassador, Founder ‘My Mind Matters Too – I am more than my grades’ and UGent Africa Platform coordinator – Dr. Annelies Verdoolaege – GAP.
For additional inquiry, please Contact:
Engr. Stephen Chigbo
Email: Stephen.chigbo@acpdyss.org
