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Africa Regional Youth Congress and Exposition.
 The Africa Regional Youth Congress and Exposition "Youth and Employment/Wealth Creation: Opportunities in Agriculture Science and Technology" and Youth Leadership for HIV/AIDS Prevention.
The Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA), Wageningen, Netherlands, the African Technology Policy Studies Network (ATPS) and the Kenya National Aids Control Council (NACC) convened the Africa Regional Youth Congress and Exposition "Youth and Employment/Wealth Creation: Opportunities in Agriculture Science and Technology" and Youth Leadership for HIV/AIDS Prevention on 20-24 June 2005 to discuss alternative opportunities for employment and wealth creation presented by emerging advances in agriculture, science and technology, and draw from the knowledge presented by a team of qualified resource persons.
The main objective of the meeting that was attended by youths from national, regional and international institutes and civil society representing over 20 countries in sub-Saharan Africa was to create awareness amongst the African youth on alternative employment opportunities in agriculture, science and technology and sensitize them on how to exploit such occasions. Ms Judith Francis, the Senior Programme Coordinator, Technical Centre for Agriculture and Rural Cooperation (CTA) confirmed this by pointing out that the youth congress brought together a wide group of stakeholders to advance science and technology (S&T) dialogue and to map out the role that critical elements can play in turning around prospects for the youth in the continent who may be feeling marginalized. She challenged the youth - young scientists, youth leaders and other professional youth to rise up and take a leadership role in ensuring that greater emphasis and action are taken for turning around the economic situation of Africa through greater application of science, technology and innovation (ST&I).
Prof Miriam Were, the Chairman of the Kenya National Aids Control Council (KNAC), graced the occasion. She advised the youth to embrace the HIV/AIDS messages calling for behavior change because they were the most vulnerable group. She also said that she is 65 years old and she makes no apology for age. Prof Were challenged the youth to live as long as she has and beat the notation that the current average longevity is less than 45 years.
Dr Osita Ogbu, the Executive Director of ATPS, reminded the participants that they were chosen to attend the meeting because they represented certain constituencies. "You are here as a youth leader to acquire knowledge and use it for the purpose of educating others," he stressed. In the face of the big population of young people who are graduates yet are not employed, Ogbu suggested to the participants to look for ingenious ways to improve their capacities beyond what they have learnt in the various universities.
 Essay competition
As a build-up to the meeting, the coordinators announced an essay competition on the subject, Tapping the Potential of Science, Technology and Innovation in Agri-food Chains in Africa "Creating Employment and Wealth for Youths in Africa. The intention of the essay was to compile real life experiences of young people engaged in employment or wealth creation across the agri-chain in Africa. The essay was advertised in several Web sites.
The following participants emerged as the winners:
- The winner: Ms Winnie Alum, Research Assistant, National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO), Uganda
- Runner-up (second position): Christine Ndunge Muthoka, Student, Department of Range Management, University of Nairobi
- Second runner-up: Philip Mutuma Munyua, Research Assistant, Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI)
- Fourth position: William Avoxe Kodjo, Agricultural Engineering Department, KNUST, Ghana
- Fifth position: George Kanthithi, Chitzede, Agricultural Research Station, Malawi
The awards included cash prizes and certificates; sponsorship to attend the ATPS/CTA youth congress; and the publishing of the essays on the CTA/ATPS websites and other publications.
Another exciting time for the participants was the visit to the Oserian Development Farm in Naivasha, Rift Valley. The participants learnt about the floriculture industry in Kenya in general and the activities of the Oserian Farm. It was interesting to note that Kenya has experienced phenomenal growth in its export of cut flower and the industry is expanding, with roses continuing to dominate the export market with sales increasing by 15% during the last three years.
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Working Papers