Microsoft’s YouthSpark turns one - and gets ready to target more African youth
By Djam Bakhshandegi, Corporate Citizenship and Partners in Learning West East Central Africa & Indian Ocean Islands
Microsoft’s Partners in Learning isn’t the only initiative to celebrate an anniversary this year. On the 23rd of September 2013, Microsoft’s global YouthSpark programme officially turned one. Over the past 12 months, we’re proud to say that this programme has created opportunities for over 103 million youth worldwide.
But this is only the beginning.
In Africa alone, there are over 200 million people between the ages of 15 and 24 today. When we see that number, we think of all the potential and innovation there is still to be unlocked. Which is why, through YouthSpark and initiatives like 4Afrika, we’re placing more focus on the youth than ever. Young people are at the core of Africa’s economic growth, its innovation and its future. If we can bring access to technology, opportunities for innovation and world-class skills to them, imagine what they can bring back to us.
YouthSpark in Africa has so far impacted over 2.5 million youth. We look forward to reaching more of our young people, and celebrating even more new opportunities this time next year.
Read more on YouthSpark’s first year, and how it’s impacted students globally.