WEF Africa - Chanda’s take

Friday, 4 July 2008 | posted by Matt_BC
General, Greenwich 2007

Hello Everyone,
Phewww..this has been an amazing week!!First i got to meet thoz amazing friends from Inter-action pgm in 2005 and to be at the WEF, its an all different experience altogether!! Ive been to quite some sessions! N i was quite disappointed coz - I got the impression that it is paying lip service to people, without actually going for some concrete proposals on its very own...

- Only corporate ppl were there, except for a few exceptions like us, the toilet guy etc etc..But wat intrigues me is that they talked a lot abt youth, civil society but none were directly involved...

Possible proposals could be:

To get us involved with the World Social Forum, rather than just betting on the WEF. Then probably, our proposals that we came up with during the week as to what should be brought ffwd ie corporate social responsibility, quality education (including moral values in our curriculum n addressing the issue of brain drain by being more professional in their approach) n Youth Participation and Involvement on policy matters can be addressed.

Overall, i was satisfied with my journey, mainly because it was just not work work work. British Council, Cape Town including Gillion and Asanda have been perfect hosts and there was the fun part as well!! Even working with them was fabulous! It was a get away from work at home, wedding preparations and my dissertation..God, gota go back to those responsibilities now!! Btw, ur all invited for my wedding due on the 13th of July this yr! Dt ask me for the plane tickets though!! Im broke! (Nick, please no remarks on my shopping mania)..

Love
Chanda
Mauritius

P.S: do get on facebook, for those who aren't!! N do add me!!