During Labor Day weekend from Aug 31st to Sept 3rd 2023, the National African Student Association coordinated the very first national conference at New York University. This conference was held in collaboration with NYU Office of Global Inclusion, Diversity, and Strategic Innovation (NYU OGI), Africa Mbele, and NYU Africa House.
Attendees were able to hear from a variety of brilliant and visionary speakers who all echoed the same theme throughout their talks: a movement is brewing within the Diaspora and the youth are at the epicenter. They talked about the need to empower the youth and remind us that we hold power through our voices to enact positive change within the Diaspora and in Africa as well. Dr. Yaw Yarko of NYU Africa House stressed the importance of diaspora being experts in their fields and then take the knowledge & skills back to create more opportunities for others.
Attendees also mentioned that what really struck home for them was day two of the conference, which focused on developing them. It is immensely difficult being on the forefront of a monumental movement as a student or a professional when you have personal needs to address first. So, participating in workshops geared towards helping the diaspora youth how to navigate finances, securing their careers, navigating the grad school and how to build your business was refreshing to see. These workshops played a role in developing areas many mentioned that needed more guidance and were truly thankful that NAfSA and the partners were able to provide that for them as students and young professionals.
Our Membership Director, Obi Ogbonna, mentioned that he departed the conference feeling like he can be the difference he wants to see within the continent of Africa and as a youth, his voice matters. His voice is important and his voice is powerful. This was echoed by many in their feedback about the conference
As an organization, we look forward to continued and new partnership that will push these conversations forward, to build lasting solutions.
An organization that fosters the development of leaders who contribute to the economic, social, and cultural advancement of the African continent and it’s people in the diaspora.
