8th Africa Students and Youth Summit
20–23 December 2019, Rabat, Morocco
“Connecting The African Union To Its Citizens Through Students & Youth Engagement”
The 2019 Africa Students’ and Youth Summit (ASYS) was an amazing success! Students from across Africa and members of the African Union convened in Rabat, Morocco to elevate the conversations around youth, education, women’s issues, entrepreneurship, technology and much much more.
The summit was attended by over 2000 people and strongly supported by the host country, the Kingdom of Morocco by the authority of the King Mohammed VI under the auspices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Morocco, the Morocco Agency of International Cooperation (AMCI), in collaboration with the Ghana-Morocco Old Students Association (GHAMOSA). The audience was comprised of university student and youth leadership, government representatives, industry leaders, and impact organizations — expressly there to collaborate in ways to find solutions and serve youth in their home countries and universities.
With the support from a Global Fund for Women grant, Snake Nation was able to contribute to a vital and important initiative that impacts the future of Africa through youth leadership. Karl Carter CEO of Snake Nation was asked to speak to AASU members from 50 African countries, representing a collective voice for support of the youth at the Solidarity Goodwill Messages opening, with other partners of the AASU.
“We stand in unity with AASU in their mission to move the agenda of youth empowerment forward. Collectively, we are deducted to building pathways to the creative economy, so that young people may experience economic and creative freedom. through which tell their own story and they carve out their own future on their own terms.”
- Karl Carter, Founder|CEO Snake Nation
The Future of Gender Equality
By 2063 — Panel
Snake Nation hosted South African, Founder and CEO of Pink Codr Africa, Mbali Hlongwane (center), a partner of the University Women in Tech clubs, located on South African Universities.
“Thankful to the Global Fund for Women. I was able to attend the 8th Annual Africa Students’ and Youth Summit in Rabat, Morocco where I was invited to partake in a panel discussion tackling the subject of “The Future of Gender equality in Africa by 2063”. The AU recognizes that gender equality is a fundamental human right and an integral part of regional integration, economic growth and social development and has developed the AU’s strategy for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) to ensure the inclusion of women in Africa’s development agenda. As Pink Codrs we understand that to wait until 2063 to measure our work is improbable. We should be able to measure our impact with the existing generation to ensure that the next generation of women will be empowered, educated. A generation that will understand their place in the world and has the freedom to lead in any industry without fighting to prove her worth. We are excited about what our Women in Tech Societies structure can do for young women to ensure women are part of the tech Transformation.”
-Mbali Hlongwene, Founder/CEO. Pink Codrs | South Africa
Jacque Njeri, Kenyan Artist and Snake Nation Art Director also attended, represents Snake Nation's focus on Art culture and Afro-Futurism.
“As a proud member of Snake Nation, a community of forward thinkers and advocates of women empowerment and individually an Afrofuturist artist exploring themes around African culture, technology and inclusion of women in an egalitarian future, AASU provided a most favorable opportunity to exchange thoughts and ideas with like thinkers from the continent and global leaders in their own right. I left thoroughly more inspired and excited for the future of Africa and women! As was everyone who attended.
Jacque Njeri, Art Director, Snake Nation | Kenya
Mbali Hlongwane and Jacque Njeri were joined by other Delegates on the panel discussion:
- Loubna Tricha, Director General of OFPPT
- Angelle Kwemo, Foundatrice Believe in Africa
- Youssef Gherradi, Executive Director — De L’Union Nationale Des Femmes Du Moroc (UNMF)
- Oumayma Achour, President, Forum des Femmes Morcaines
- Mme Fatima Dehbi, Vice President Union Nationale des Femmes du Maroc (UNFM)
Is Entrepreneurship the solution?: Young People Taking Action to solve Africa’s Problems
— Panel
We also had an opportunity to speak on a panel titled Is Entrepreneurship the solution?: Young People Taking Action to solve Africa’s Problems, where Karl joined by African entrepreneurs, academics, initiatives, and technology companies spoke on the realities of entrepreneurship and problem-solving.
“During the is entrepreneurship the solution for youth panel we discussed with government leaders, academia, startup founders and corporate innovators what it means to truly be an entrepreneur, the supports needed, the appropriate ecosystem drivers and the implications for the future of youth in Africa.”
-Karl Carter, Founder/CEO of Snake Nation | South Africa . USA”
Snake Nation also invited Microsoft 4Afrika Startup Engagement Lead, Tarik Hilali to speak on the panel with Karl, representing Microsoft’s partnership with Snake Nation to up-skill youth and entrepreneurs.
Sports Day
— Regional Tournaments
Snake Nation sponsored the annual sport event, where attendees from the five Africa regions practiced camaraderie unity. Students played Football (Soccer), Basketball, and Volleyball tournaments at The University of Rabat.
Culture Festival
Snake Nation produced the first annual Culture Festival powered by Snake Nation, AASU and AMCI on the campus of The University of Rabat. Attendees from the Africa Students & Youth Summit came together to let loose and appreciate African and each other’s culture through Music and Dance. We were honored to have renowned DJs from across Africa and the US; Ant Marshall, Black Pyramid, and Xander Pratt.
Thank you to our Partners
We encompass an online platform, College Societies, and Social Studios dedicated to Creative Rebels in film, music, art, fashion, dance, gaming and tech. We are building a platform that helps M2 creators, build an audience, distribute their product and drive value for their work in the global creative economy. Snake Nations spends at least 55% of our gross profits with millennial creators and technology developers of color.
