On August 12th, which is the International Youth Day, I, Ogaga Maxwell (Nigerian Earth Charter Youth Group Warri’s coordinator) was on a democratic learning visit to Ghana, organized by the DESLAY programme. This is a democracy programme initiated by Youngstars Foundation Jos and sponsored by National Endowment for Democracy (NED) Washington D.C, USA.
I used this opportunity to hold a meeting together with the 4 Nigerian and 3 Ghanaian Youths. In the meeting I introduced the Earth Charter to those who were not already aware of the declaration for more sustainable future.
In addition to that the project director of Youngstars Foundation Jos, Bola Abimbola, shared on the relationship between Governance and Environment, and key factors towards the sustainability of our various youth initiatives. He discussed extensively on the concepts of emerging leaders and the difference between governance and good governance. Whilst a Nigerian youth John O. John shared on his work in Zamfara state, a sharia state, in Northern Nigeria. He has been involved in HIV/AIDS awareness work in Zamfara working with rural children.
After this Ghanaian Aminu Bonifacio and Samuel from the ECYG Youth in Environment and Agriculture shared on their activities in Ghana.
We looked at the challenges that young people are facing in both of the countries; in addition there were various form of interactions and exchange of contacts. It was a great time of cross-national interaction on the Earth Charter on the international youth day!
Ogaga E. Maxwell
Earth Charter Youth Group Warri
www.maxogaga.blogspot.com