The Global Youth and Technology- The Time is Now.

Image: Techiexpert

If there is anything good that came out of the pandemic, it would be the global connectivity that we have all witnessed. While the world feared the unknown, uncertainty paved the way for a technological revolution. This revolution, till date is how we have been able to reclaim our lives in a new-normal way. We collaborated, we connected, we did the impossible; we created the new future- the digitalized future. 

While the pandemic paved the way for innovation, it exposed our global socio-economic deficiencies. This has however caused nations to look into creating lasting solutions to these problems.  It is clear now more than ever, that we cannot go back to the way we lived pre-COVID. We must do things differently to create a sustainable future that will thrive. 

In light of this, Estonia and the African Union teamed up with Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg and Poland to organize the online cross-continental hackathon. 

The intent of this hackathon is to find innovative solutions to these socio-economic problems exposed by the pandemic. Over 600 ideas from 93 countries were sent in. The African continent wasn’t left out as almost all African countries participated. Nigeria alone had 293 applicants. The challenges which are in line with the Africa-Europe Digital Economy Partnership Report and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals include; Education, Food Security, Job Security, Vulnerable Populations, Health & Wellness, Financial services, Big Data, Cyber Security, Digital Economy, e-governance and Smart Cities. 

At the hackathon opening conference, Chairman UBA Group and Founder The Tony Elumelu Foundation, Tony O. Elumelu acknowledged that while things have changed and may never go back to the same again the world has suddenly realized how interconnected we all are. Hence the urgent need to cooperate and collaborate globally. 

The Chairman shed light on how organizations like the United Bank for Africa for instance, leveraged on technology to support food security in the pandemic. Through technological advancement in payment system, the bank was able to support the World Food Programme and help send vouchers digitally to people in remote environments and improve feeding.

An advocate for Youth empowerment and the new world order, Tony Elumelu lauded the resilient spirit of the global youth. He said; ‘To the young global citizen and digital natives, this is your time, the world has now realized more than ever before the importance of this new digital revolution. Everyone is waiting for you to take advantage of it, lead the way, show us, create the new future so that we will follow you’. 

Tony Elumelu was also joined by H.E, Kersti Kaljulaid, President of Estonia.

The hackathon themed “EU-Africa: The Post Crisis Journey” is an indication of the enormous future that lies ahead and the need for us to take advantage of the power of technology. It is the only way to create the new future we so earnestly desire and make the world a better place.