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Young entrepreneurs

The objective of the conference is to strengthen the agenda for youth enterprise by providing opportunities for young entrepreneurs to gain access to skills, finance and markets

Investing in Youth: Unleashing the potential of young entrepreneurs

7 September 2007

The Commonwealth Youth Programme is hosting a one-day conference on Youth Enterprise and Sustainable Livelihoods on 10 September 2007 at Marlborough House, headquarters of the Commonwealth Secretariat in London

Aspiring young entrepreneurs will have the unique opportunity to meet successful business leaders and advisors at a Commonwealth youth conference in London on September 10 2007.

'Investing in Youth' is a Commonwealth Youth Programme to promote youth enterprise and sustainable livelihoods, with input from young people about the challenges they face while setting up their own businesses. This can range from access to finance, marketing their products and finding buyers.

Self-made business leaders, advisors, trade diplomats and specialists will be sharing their knowledge base, skills and success stories with young people from the Commonwealth diaspora. Their inspirational stories will be documented and later distributed to young people across the Commonwealth as best practices in the field.

The Prince of Wales as part of his commitment to youth entrepreneurship will welcome delegates with a video recorded message.

The 2007 winner of the BBC Swahili Service's 'Prosper with the BBC' competition, David Ssegawa from Uganda will also be speaking. Mr Ssegawa's idea is to launch a candle-making business which will stop people having to buy imported candles from China.

Fatiha Serour, Director of the Youth Affairs Division at the Commonwealth Secretariat said: "Young people often lack some of the skills and attributes necessary for enterprise. By taking part in the training they can build their self-confidence, their willingness to take calculated risks, their initiative, their leadership and organisational skills.

"The training can leave them with a more responsible, positive outlook, and a clearer vision of their goals. This is all the more important for young people who lack the social standing and networks that adults have," she added.

At the conference, Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon will be launching the Commonwealth Plan of Action for Youth Empowerment 2007-2015 which outlines the association's youth programme goals and plans for youth development.

The conference will be opened by Florence Mugasha, Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General.

To register for this free conference please email Samira Sawlani at cyp@commonwealth.int

Download:

Draft Programme 08/09/07Draft Programme 08/09/07

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