The African Union is hard at work! The 37th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Heads of State and Government is currently underway in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from February 17 to 18.
The summit's theme, \"Educate and Skill Africa for the 21st Century,\" draws inspiration from the late Nelson Mandela's belief that education is the most powerful weapon to change the world. 🧑🎓✨
Despite signs of progress, Africa faces significant challenges. A recent Reliefweb report from August 2023 highlights that over 40 million Africans have been forcibly displaced due to conflicts, with more than 77% being internally displaced. Major hotspots include Sudan, Ethiopia, DR Congo, central Sahel, Cameroon, Somalia, Mali, Mozambique, and South Sudan. These conflicts often stem from external players eyeing the continent's resources or geopolitical tensions.
But it's not just political instability that's causing upheaval. Climate change is wreaking havoc, making Africa the least polluted continent yet one of the most affected. In 2022 alone, seven million people were displaced by natural disasters. Unfortunately, many of these relocations have become semi-permanent as countries struggle to resettle affected individuals, leading to social stress and potential political crises. 🌪️🌍
The AU summit aims to address these pressing issues by focusing on education and skill development, recognizing that empowering the youth with knowledge and abilities is key to breaking the cycle of instability and fostering sustainable growth.
