01 Jul 2021

Botswana recognises and is making relevant investments towards cultivating its young people’s potential, President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi has said. 

Dr Masisi, who was speaking during  a meeting with Generation Unlimited senior advisor Ms Nadi Albino in Gaborone Wednesday, said the aim was for the country to reap the demographic dividend benefits of its predominantly youthful population.

With better education, improved sexual and reproductive health, creation of economic opportunities and opening up of the democratic space as espoused in Vision 2036, Botswana would surely achieve the goal, he said. 

President Masisi was recently appointed a global leader for Generation Unlimited, a UN worldwide partnership launched in 2018 administered through UNICEF.

 Its aim is to ensure that all young people are engaged in education, learning, training or employment by 2030. 

The President, who was happy to reunite with  Ms Albino, a former colleague at UNICEF, said he was pleased to engage her on issues presented by Generation Unlimited. 

He noted that Generation Unlimited’s aims were in tandem with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which committed member countries to ending poverty, hunger, inequality as well as ensuring good health, education and peace for all by 2030. 

For her part, Ms Albino said Generation Unlimited could serve as a springboard for youth development in Botswana and across the world.

“We know the challenges of young people and we hope that together with the contribution of the youth we shall address them,” she said. 

Ms Albino revealed that she had already met with some ministers to discuss the potential in Botswana. Ends