Johannesburg, Thursday 3 October 2013 – As the One Young World Summit, the world’s largest youth forum, enters its second day, Brand South Africa CEO Miller Matola will participate in a panel discussion on Sustainable Development, later in the day. Mr Matola is one of the counsellors to the Summit and also participated in the opening ceremony on Wednesday night.
Reflecting on the significance of the One Young World Summit, Mr Matola said, “The young leaders we are seeing coming to the fore are the ones who will drive this country’s developmental agenda. They are the ones who will sustain our democracy and ensure that a mirror is always held up to the leadership of our nation.”
“The vibrancy, vitality and positive spirit of young people will be critical as South Africa moves towards implementing the National Development Plan, or Vision 2030. It is also very exciting that South Africa is preparing to celebrate 20 years of democracy in 2014. This will coincide with the country’s 5th democratic elections. Young people are urged to participate in safeguarding and strengthening our democracy by voting in these elections,” Mr Matola concluded.
As part of its support to the young people of this country, Brand South Africa has sponsored five young people to attend the Summit, namely, Zanele Mabaso, Luvuyo Mandela, Raelene Rorke, Thembi Graham and Aslam Levy.
The Brand South Africa delegates will join the approximately 1500 young people from over 180 countries in deliberating on the issues of education, global business, human rights, leadership and government, sustainable development and youth unemployment. These discussions have particular relevance for the world at large since the Millennium Development Goals, adopted by the world’s leaders in 2000 must be achieved by 2015. These goals have at their heart the issues of education, health and sustainability.
The youth who will become the leaders of tomorrow will have a great responsibility in ensuring that the peoples of this world live in a world that is better than today. The deliberations that will shape this future are therefore very significant.
Former United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan, delivering the opening address at the Summit at Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg yesterday evening reiterated this message saying, “There are no limits to what you can achieve. You are the smartest generation that we’ve ever had. Through this summit, we have the opportunity to showcase Africa’s greatest resource – you the young people. Together with your One Young World colleagues from around the world, you embody the talent and energy that has driven change, evolution and creativity around the world.
“You are after all the first generation that can genuinely call yourselves citizens of the world. You inhabit a planet where – far more than any previous time – our futures and fortunes are closely connected. You know more about your counterparts in other parts of the world, than ever before. The technology you use to communicate and share information allows you to bridge frontiers. National borders no longer contain you. You have wider horizons,” Mr Annan told the young leaders.
Brand South Africa to host a One Young World Breakout Session
As part of Brand South Africa’s support of the One Young World Summit and the development of youth as leaders of the future, Brand South Africa will on Friday, 4 October 2013, host a breakout session of the One Young World Summit.
The session will be held under the banner of Youth’s Role in Long-Term Planning and will focus on South Africa’s National Development Plan. It will include an information-sharing platform, on best practice models from the delegates’ countries.
Media are invited to attend this session as follows:
Date Friday, 4 October 2013
Time 14h00 to 18h00 (the formal session will be followed by a dinner networking session)
Venue The Open, Maboneng Precinct, 4th floor, Mainchange
20 Kruger Street,
City and Suburban
Johannesburg
GPS co-ordinates: 26°12’16.2″ S; 28°3’33.3″ E
RSVP Nadia Samie-Jacobs on 072 777 9399 or email nadias@brandsouthafrica.com
About Brand South Africa
Brand South Africa is the official marketing agency of South Africa, with a mandate to build the country’s brand reputation, in order to improve its global competitiveness abroad. Its aim is also to build pride and patriotism among South Africans, in order to contribute to social cohesion and nation brand ambassadorship.
Further resources from Brand South Africa
Media are invited to visit http://www.southafrica.info/ for further resources which can be reproduced without any copyright infringement. Kindly attribute to Brand South Africa.
For more information or to set up interviews, please contact:
Nadia Samie-Jacobs
Public Relations Domestic
Tel: +27 11 712 5007 Mobile: +27 (0)72 777 9399
Email: nadias@brandsouthafrica.com
Visit brandsouthafrica.com
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