WGIS blog posts touch on how proud I am to have been raised an American youth, and how I wouldn’t want it any other way. There are youth from other parts of the world who are equally proud of the cultures they are raised in, and I want to include that. This guest post is written by a millennial woman living on another continent who feels just as strongly that within her own culture, women are being raised to be strong, independent, and educated.
She is one of my best friends and I adore her. Her guest post is on what her experience is like as an African millennial.
The 21st century is that of the African youth. More than ever, we are connected to the rest of the world and we are taking advantage of the various opportunities that come with living in this globalized world.
I am part of that youth who is trying to make it happen for her continent. As a young Muslim African female, I take pride in my origins and my identity and have high ambitions for myself and my people. I have been very privileged to have lived, studied and worked in various parts of the world, including the United States, England, South Africa, and West Africa. This exposure certainly opens doors to certain places but more importantly opens up one’s outlook on life.
As a trained economist converted into a development worker and strategy consultant, based in my home country, Benin, I use my background and network to contribute to building strong institutions, develop research, restructure organizations, launch entrepreneurship ventures, and develop civic education and community work amongst the youth.
I certainly have a busy agenda ahead of me and my ultimate aim is to bring back the glory of my continent and my people. Indeed, I try to touch all aspects of development, be it social, economic, or political, simply because they are all interconnected and form the basis of society. I am passionate and deeply convinced that through hard work, pride and commitment to excellence Africa can shine and Africans can live in more dignity, peace, and prosperity.
This agenda of mine is based on ethics and morality. Indeed, I live my life using a moral compass that is based on the teachings of the Holy Quran and includes primarily universal principles such as uprightness, honesty, commitment, love and compassion. Wanting to achieve the best for a country, for people’s welfare begins by cultivating certain key values and adopting behaviors that are conducive to these goals.
Africa is the place to be and I welcome you all to come, enjoy it, and shape it up.
Yacine Bio-Tchane is a native of Benin and a panafricanist at heart. Raised in West Africa, she studied economics and political science at Rutgers University and went on to pursue a masters degree in development management from the London School of Economics. She has focused her work on public financial management in Africa, and is extending her work to research, advocacy, and consultancy in the field and in related areas. Her ultimate aim is to work towards quality service delivery, equal access to basic services, and prosperity for all.
© 2011 W. S. Hughes l l Image ‘be my guest’ from here.
