“This article was funded by a grant from the United States Department of State. The opinions, findings and conclusions stated herein are those of the FlexiSAF Foundation and do not necessarily reflect those of the United States Department of State.”
The FlexiSAF Foundation, dedicated to providing inclusive and quality education to vulnerable and underprivileged children in Nigeria, has recently achieved a significant milestone. From October 4th to October 6th, 2023, the foundation successfully organized the “Activism that Yields Results: Building the Future Now” workshop in Abuja, Nigeria, bringing together 50 passionate young activists and change-makers aged 18 to 35. The event, fully funded by the U.S. Department of State through the U.S. Embassy Abuja, was strategically held in October to mark the 2023 United Nations Day, commemorated annually on the 24th of October worldwide.
The FlexiSAF Foundation’s commitment to empowering young activists couldn’t be more timely. As the world grapples with the urgent need to address pertinent social issues such as climate change, this workshop provided a platform for young minds to dive into the frontlines of results-driven activism and deliberate advocacy. The event featured esteemed activists, development experts, and dynamic professionals who shared their invaluable insights and experiences on topics like climate change and sustainability, governance and accountability, education policy, and effective activism strategies.
Participants from diverse backgrounds and regions not only learned from the experts but also connected with one another, sharing ideas and building valuable networks. This fostered a sense of unity among young activists, emphasizing the importance of youth in driving sustainable change. The workshop highlighted the crucial role history plays in shaping the future, rekindling appreciation for the past’s role in addressing climate challenges.
Through practical exercises and discussions, workshop participants gained essential skills and knowledge to pursue their activism goals effectively. The impact of the workshop is already evident as participants left with renewed energy and determination to address pressing social issues, including climate change, the education crisis, and discrimination against people living with disabilities, among other critical topics.
The FlexiSAF Foundation’s commitment to nurturing a network of empowered youth activists sets a promising foundation for future projects and advocacy campaigns. The foundation ensures the sustainability of the workshop’s impact by equipping participants with the tools to train others, potentially reaching hundreds more across Nigeria. Plans are underway to develop online courses on activism in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy in Abuja, esteemed partners, and other relevant youth-focused organizations.
The success of the “Activism that Yields Results: Building the Future Now” workshop, with its focus on training youths to be deliberate in their activism, particularly in the context of climate change and sustainability, beautifully aligns with the United Nations Day theme for 2023, “The Frontlines of Climate Action.” The foundation’s efforts to support and empower the next generation of change-makers promise a brighter, more sustainable future.
To learn more about the foundation’s work, visit our website, and follow our social media pages on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
