Induction into Actionaid Nigeria General Assembly: Youth Membership

Esther Agbarakwe was selected into Actionaid Nigeria General Assembly as a YOUTH member to work on area of Youth Leadership and Advocacy. This is a great honor.

Actionaid Nigeria is one of the Actionaid Country Programmmes around the World. Actionaid is an International Non-governmental organization registered in the Netherlands and Headquartered in Johannesburg South Africa.

ActionAid is an international anti-poverty agency whose aim is to fight poverty worldwide. Formed in 1972, for over 30 years we have been growing and expanding to where we are today - helping over 13 million of the world's poorest and most disadvantaged people in 42 countries worldwide.

The Induction of Nigerian Actionaid General Assembly members was held on July 9th at at Ibrahim Hall , Vines Hotel Abuja.

According to Dede Amanor-Wilks,A member of Actionaid International, The General Assembly is the most important part of Actionaid International with focus on accountability and decision making.

The members were drowned from Women group, youth and community development activist representing the six geo-political zone of the country,Among them is Esther Agbarakwe representing the youths.

Esther had also served as a volunteer to actionaid Nigeria under the Activista/HungerFREE Project.

Youth at the UN Commission on Sustainable Development 17th Session May 4th -15th 2009

Youth Caucus Opening Statement



UN Commission on Sustainable Development 17th Session

New York, 4th May 2009

Esther Agbarakwe.

Thank you very much Madame Chair.

“Swords into ploughshares, words into action”. My neighbors in Nigeria and other parts of the world have to use those ploughshares everyday to feed their children. Some are not aware of the UN's discussions, but their futures depend on the decisions made here at the CSD and, more importantly, your commitment to implementing them nationally.

We have a common responsibility to leave a better legacy for our children.

All stakeholders, especially youth, need to be integrally involved in the process of information gathering, decision making, implementation and review. While youth and other major groups are ready in service, only you – the country representatives – can make these decisions happen.

Through collaboration, we can empower local communities to engage successfully in sustainable development initiatives, using innovative solutions to deal with global challenges.

We do care about what you say here, but our lives depend on how you implement these policies at home. So practice what you preach.

The urgency is immense for taking action now.

We can make the difference that is needed to create a more just, equitable and sustainable world.

Thank you.