“Youth-led innovations driving sustainable development in Africa.”
Kigali, Rwanda, September 11th, 2024
The Next Einstein Forum (NEF), an initiative of the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS), is pleased to announce the NEF Africa Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Week, set to take place from October 7 to 18, 2024. This groundbreaking event will be hosted across 15 African countries, focusing on youth-led innovations and their critical role in advancing sustainable development across the continent.
The event will spotlight and celebrate youth-led initiatives contributing to the achievement of the SDGs. “Through the lens of science and innovation, African youth are uniquely positioned to shape the future. The NEF Africa SDGs Week underscores our commitment to empowering young leaders who are driving transformative change in their communities. By prioritizing collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity, we will drive progress towards a sustainable future for Africa,” said Prof. Dr. Sam Yala, President of the AIMS Network.
The NEF Africa SDGs Week will take place in Algeria, Cameroon, Chad, Eswatini, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Lesotho, Mauritania, Morocco, Rwanda, Senegal, Somaliland, and South Africa. The event expects to attract over 5,000 participants in person and will feature a diverse range of activities across multiple locations. The event will serve as a platform for youth and women to showcase their contributions, with a commitment to ensuring that at least 40% of participants are women and 60% are young people under the age of 35.
Led by the NEF Ambassadors, the event will bring together key stakeholders from the public and private sectors, civil society, academia, and research institutions to explore the role of youth in accelerating progress towards the SDGs. The NEF Africa SDGs Week will feature workshops, youth-led project showcases, and networking sessions designed to foster the exchange of ideas, strategies, and innovations that will propel Africa closer to achieving the SDGs by 2030.
This initiative is made possible through the generous support of the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, a nonpartisan U.S.-based philanthropic organization. The Foundation provides reliable, responsive, and strategic support to partners such as AIMS, underscoring a shared vision of building an inclusive society where all people, communities, and the planet can thrive.
About NEF
The Next Einstein Forum (NEF), an AIMS Initiative, is a platform that connects science, society, and policy in Africa
and beyond, leveraging scientific excellence for global development. The NEF believes that Africa’s contributions
to the global scientific community are essential for global progress. Central to the NEF’s mission is Africa’s youth,
who are driving the continent’s scientific renaissance.
For more information about the NEF Africa SDGs Week, please contact:
Dr. Charles Lebon Mberi Kimpolo
Director, Industry Initiative & Next Einstein Forum (NEF)
African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS)
Email: lead@nef.org | +250 780 302 682 | +27 820 854 959
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