2024 UNGA Reception: African Youth Driving Transformative Change

On September 26th, 2024, CorpsAfrica hosted its second reception during the UN General Assembly Week in NYC. This year’s theme was African Youth Driving Transformative Change.  Over 150 attendees including partners, government officials, and NGO leaders gathered to learn more about CorpsAfrica.  

US Representative to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, presented keynote remarks to the crowd before Liz Fanning, CorpsAfrica’s Founder and CEO, awarded former President of Liberia and Nobel Peace Laureate, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, with the CorpsAfrica Inspiration Award. Alumni Hiba Tazi (Morocco – Group 1), Mourad Abdennebi (Morocco – Group 2), and Billy Makombola (Malawi – Group 3) gave the audience a glimpse into their CorpsAfrica experience through stories of their service. 

Highlights from CorpsAfrica’s second annual UNGA reception, featuring US Rep. Linda Thomas-Greenfield, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, and alumni stories.

Speakers

Hon. Linda Thomas-Greenfield
U.S. Representative to the United Nations

H.E. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf
Fmr. President of Liberia and Nobel Peace Laureate

Liz Fanning
Founder and CEO
CorpsAfrica

Hiba Tazi
Alumna
Morocco

Mourad Abdennebi
Alumnus
Morocco

Bill Makombola
Alumnus
Malawi

Event Highlights

 

  • Okechukwu Iweala captivated the audience with two powerful poems, weaving a tapestry of inspiring themes and pan-African imagery.
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  • US Representative to the United Nations delivered an inspiring keynote address noting that what Africa needs is “African leadership for African, and global solutions” and CorpsAfrica’s program provides a path to that outcome. Read the full transcript here.
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  • Liz Fanning presented the CorpsAfrica Inspiration Award to H.E. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, former President of the Liberia, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, and the first female elected head of state in Africa. 
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  • Alumni Bill Makombola, Hiba Tazi, and Mourad Abdennebi invited the audience to experience their service through stories of connection and growth in Malawi and Morocco. 
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  • Special thanks to our excellent speakers for sharing their experiences and expertise on youth’s place in driving change across the continent.
 
"Africa’s young people are brimming with potential — ready to work, to lead, and to create change. And it’s that energy and can-do spirit that CorpsAfrica is harnessing."​
Hon. Linda Thomas-Greenfield
US Representative to the United Nations

Event Photos

Photo Credits: Taurat Hossain

Support Our Work

CorpsAfrica addresses two of Africa’s most difficult challenges: creating opportunities for youth and helping rural communities overcome extreme poverty and build resilience. We recruit motivated volunteers to live and work in remote, low-income areas in their own countries. They collaborate with the community to design and implement small-scale projects that address their top priorities and by doing so gain the skills and experience that lay the foundation for personal and professional success.

CorpsAfrica trusts youth and rural communities to help each other.