Post-Summit: Elnari (Head of Government)

Three Reassuring Observations, Three Worrying Observations

Thinking back on the preparations, team-work, pre-summit experiences and summit negotiations, I made a few both negative and positive observations.

Let’s start with the negatives:

1. Aid talk

By now we should know that aid-donor relationships can be oppressive and misused to further the interests of the donor. Furthermore, merely pushing large amounts of money into a country in crisis can lead to corruption. This is not a sustainable solution to any problem and may leave the country with even more complex concerns to deal with such as an entitled rather than empowered population. Unfortunately, I heard too many ideas still underpinned by the notion of aid rather than sustainable development and/or empowerment during the course of the summit. The future lies in treating the causes, not the symptoms through quick “solutions”.

2. Old Cows

Yes, through-out history there were oppressors, oppressed, villains, heroes, failed ideologies, wars were waged and battles were both lost and won. Do we need to recall every bitter memory when resolving today’s issues at hand? I am not saying we should not be mindful of context, background and valuable lessons learned. But do we need to play the subtle blame game and let it influence the way we try to bring new solutions to the table so often? I think we should come to a space of understanding that the moment the oppressed were released from being oppressed in any situation, the oppressor was also released of their burden of being the oppressor. Not to say that you are immediately excused for the blood on your hands, but please do not bring past guilt or bitterness to the table when you should be bringing a sound mind and willing hands to work for solutions, rather than to dig up old cows.

3. Knowledge vs. understanding

I make a clear distinction between having knowledge about something vs. understanding an issue. To me, long-term solutions will only come from a space of understanding. Unfortunately, I found that people do not bother to understand an issue after attaining knowledge on it and then find their knowledge sufficient enough to propose solutions – which will only resolve concerns temporally given the lack of deeper engagement and understanding.

Now, the positives:

1. The African Union’s input was respected

For years, decisions have been made for Africa about Africa by non-Africans. And if Africa had a voice on international platforms, it was usually either as observer or merely the voice of one country pushing its own interests rather than using the opportunity to bring about change in the dialogue concerning the continent. With the Y8 summit, I found that young people understood the importance of including African insights to decision-making and that the inputs of the African Union were not only heard, but respected. I hope this sentiment is one that will continue to bring a richer understanding of issues to the decision-making tables in future.

2. Make tea, not war

Being the Head of Government makes you feel a tad more responsible for the level of representation of your team. Leadership responsibility, unfortunately, is something many young people avoid. However, I found that the panel I worked with are a bunch of serious minded, but hopeful, young people with a passion for resolving and finding solutions – people who do not shy away from responsibility, but who take the opportunity to develop as leaders and problem solvers. Furthermore, on this panel, I worked with a few women who understand that the days are gone that women refrain from traditionally male dominated decision-making tables. And even though we still have a long way to go to make women who sit around these tables to take courage in their inputs and actions, I found that the women I worked with at this summit to be constructive thinkers who embrace responsibility. Not only did we have tea while we shared stories about life and what matters most back home, but we found common grounds in the narratives we told – common grounds and shared narratives which can lead to understanding and mutual respect.

3. Coming back to what hits “home”

Every delegate is unique in the way he/she represents their study field/career, country, contextual background and understanding of the world. And the mixture of those unique insights is what makes international summits worthwhile. Maybe it has something to do about where we belong (whether it is a cause, community, town, country, continent or the globe at large). I, for example, am a young South African by birth. I am also a young African and a young global citizen. I have many national, regional and international concerns, but it is often what is happening closest to “home” which hits the hardest. And is this not what we each uniquely can contribute? Is this not what international dialogue and discussions are for? To hear what hits “home”, what has been done to address this, what can be done, what should be done, who can do what needs to be done. To hear fresh and objective (or even subjective) insights. Is it not about finding common ground, despite (and also because) of differences in order to make people not fear that which they cannot condone, but rather address that which they cannot condone?

I leave the Y8 summit of 2013 with more questions than answers. I hope this is the case for every delegate who attended, for in the search for answers we will continue to question and ask and engage in the hope of finding peaceful and sustainable solutions for causes and not only symptoms of a tired, still unequal, conflict-ridden world.

Update from the Summit

Today is the last day of negotiations between the delegates on the various panels as they draft their recommendations for the final communique. Keep updated with all the live action on the Twitter feed at @SAY820Delegates.

Pre-Summit: Roberta (Energy and Climate Change)

Energy and the Environment at the Y8

Having missed the chance to be part of the delegation in 2012 (as I only found out about the opportunity after applications had closed), I slept with one eye open for the 2013 open date.

It goes without saying that I am very excited to be a part of the Y8 team.  I am thrilled at the opportunity to be part of negotiations and exchange with other young global leaders.

Everyone is affected by environment, with that said; it is important that we progress in global discussions that will possibly shape the future of the environment.  

This year from the Energy and Climate Change panel, discussions include Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation which are at the core of environmental issues. Renewable energy adoption as well is a crucial and I hope we are able to tackle these environmental issues and come up with solutions.

So far it has been a thrill to be part of a wonderful South African team. All the Skype meetings and preparations leading to the summit- I am looking forward to the negotiations!

Pre-Summit: Eriel (Sherpa)

I am simultaneously excited and somewhat daunted at the journey ahead (excited at the prospect, daunted by the sheer magnitude). A journey of change taken on by my generation of young leaders; a generation of third culture activists tasked to make choices, choices of extremities made with our own conscience and consciousness that would determine the very next moment with tremendous impact, choices amidst circumstances where the nexus of our history and our present demand us to challenge boundaries and status quos.

The young leaders chosen from South Africa have personally and collectively deliberated these confinements and presented their insightful views. Through what I am sure will be intense debates, collaborations and coalitions with you all, a unified voice of common purpose will emerge. These global discussions are absolutely imperative if we are to show our courage and care for our fellow human beings, confronting how and what we define as a peaceful co-existence.

 

During the summit, we will be breaking down barriers, constructing building blocks of Galtung’s ‘positive peace’, transforming imagination to reality. I am confident this year’s communiqué will be even more creative and compassionate, responding with deeper sensitivity to what we as a people of the world so need, to live lives of more lasting value. Together, let us salute each other for bearing the great task of breaking new ground, exploring unchartered territory and as we say in show biz, ‘let the magic begin!’

Pre-Summit: Keamogetswe (Defence)

Looking forward to the summit

I feel quite honoured to have been chosen by the SAYID to represent South Africa at this year’s Y8 summit as the Minister of Defence, I feel quite ecstatic and nervous at the same time because for some weird reason I have seen some of the delegates from the different countries and I cannot really hide the intimidation. But nevertheless this is not about me but rather about representing South Africa to the best of my ability. However the thing I look forward to the most is meeting and interacting as well as surrounding myself with those people whose main mission is to make the world a far much better place.

I believe that this is a once in a lifetime opportunity that the G8-G20 Youth Summits give to young and that it will have a greater impact in our lives as we will learn from each other, share ideas though we always agree on certain things. I trust that the presentations, interactive panel debates, and meetings with peers from leading G8 countries, innovative policy thinkers, and guest speakers will allow me to walk away with ideas to address our challenges today and tomorrow. With the summit only a day away I’m rather excited, this also being my first time ever being away from my native country.

We’ve worked very hard for the past few months with negotiations preparations as well as research for our position papers and I hope we just get some time to cool off and enjoy London. I however look forward to the networking event and also to have a chat with the masterminds behind the Youth Diplomatic Service. I am confident that I will bring back some knowledge to South Africa which I will in turn share with my peers. I would like to once again express my appreciation for the opportunity and my excitement about joining your team. I look forward to my association and interacting with you all and hopefully having a lifetime friendship as this is clearly a small world.

Pre-Summit: Naadirah (Foreign Affairs)

International Cooperation and Thinking Outside the Box

As propagated by former South African President Thabo Mbeki, my continent should seek “African solutions to African Problems”, however, this does not necessarily mean solely using African ideas, thoughts or technology to achieve this. To me it means using African ingenuity, strength and spirit combined with global assistance to achieve an African continent both prosperous and peaceful.

International cooperation is not something that comes naturally, in a world that is driven by the self-interest of states and global institutions, it becomes very difficult to assess if choices made by world leaders are truly in the interest of world peace or to simply assert the dominance and power of their nation. However, for us to live in a world that would make it possible for Africa and many other continents to see dramatic and constructive development, assistance from the global community is key.

The G8 Youth Summit offers young people the opportunity to demonstrate to the international community the power that is held by constructive, engaging and positive communication, negotiation and cooperation.

My participation in this year’s G8 Summit will be through the belief that young people have the capacity to truly become global agents of change. In a world where chaos is becoming the norm and global leaders are choosing to engage in ways that do not seem conductive to seeking ‘global’ solutions, we as bright young minds have the opportunity to take the road less travelled and seek solutions to problems that are not the norm. Thus I encourage my fellow delegates to be fearless and think outside the box!

Pre-summit: Elnari (Head of Government)

Young South African, Young African, Young Global Citizen?

We live in strange days indeed. Days full of wonder and potential, but strange days.

Threats of chemical warfare, concerns regarding the governance of cyberspace and questions arising from tax havens feature on the same agendas as poverty, the eradication of hunger and the provision of basic quality education. Equity, equality and development are “nice” words mentioned by many claiming to be concerned about society and the world at large. But still signs of oppression and a lack in development scar communities across the globe. Unfortunately, it is more often than not the innocent who have to deal with the atrocities of our day and age which shape their everyday lives – and it seems like nobody really cares, but for a few.

Maybe it has something to do about where we belong (whether it is a cause, community, town, country, continent or the globe at large). I, for example, am a young South African by birth. I am also a young African and a young global citizen. I have many national, regional and international concerns, but it is often what is happening closest to “home” which hits the hardest. And is this not what we each uniquely can contribute? Is this not what international dialogue and discussions are for? To hear what hits “home”, what has been done to address this, what can be done, what should be done, who can do what needs to be done. Is it not about finding common ground, despite (and also because) of differences in order to make people not fear that which they cannot condone, but rather address that which they cannot condone?

The old saying will have it that with ability follows responsibility. I would like to add that with opportunity comes a great load of responsibility as well. With the coming Y8 summit we have more than just an opportunity to engage…we are more than just a bunch of capable young bright minds coming together to talk. We have the responsibility to contribute constructively to an enabling environment which fosters the path to a responsible and inviting future.

I look forward to representing South Africa at the summit – not only because it is my country of birth, but because I know that the South African team has something unique to add to the greatly anticipated discussions. But most of all, I look forward to engaging and learning from various mutual young global citizens who realize that the time has come to dare enough to ask questions. I look forward to meeting young thinkers who listen to unique story and insights of every delegate and to grasp this opportunity to not only write another position paper calling for action, but to be stretched and motivated by the plight of those who grapple with the consequences of an able world who has forgotten to take responsibility for those who belong.