CAIRO: In an effort to promote more twining in Africa, experts discussed the benefits of the practice and promoted partnership building in the continent during a Cairo summit. The first Global Sister Cities and Twinning Summit brought together experts to discuss the current and future role of sub-national dialogues in building sustainable nations and highlighting successful city-to-city models across the world. The summit includes citizen diplomacy leaders representing over 30 countries including government officials, CEOs and executive directors from global foundations, corporations and universities. Day two kicked off with a discussion on the role of youth in international relations, with a speech by President of Civilizations Exchange and Cooperation Foundation, Imam Bashar Arafat. “There should be collaboration between youth movements in different countries because they all [face] the same problems, the same issues and same challenges,” Arafat told Daily News Egypt. Whether it's advanced or developing countries, one of the main challenges globally is ignorance of the other, he added. “It is very important to provide the young generation of today with forums and opportunities to eliminate that ignorance about the other. Once we are comfort[able] with the other person, the other religion, the other culture, then you can collaborate,” he explained. “We have to find common ground and humanity, our Earth, our environment, peace and justice — that's a concern of all of us and that's why I think the youth community in the US can empower and help the youth community in the Middle East who are witnessing these wonderful changes now. “The values we have in the Middle East can help youth in the US to see the values of generosity, love, peace which are part of the faith here and the message of Prophet Mohamed, which included Christians and Jews,” Arafat, who is also the President of the Islamic Affairs Council of Maryland, said. Youth involvement in decision-making and leadership roles — a hot topic in the region after the youth-led uprisings in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and elsewhere — was repeatedly stressed during the conference. Carlos Reyes, 22, is a member of the board of directors of Sister Cities International, an organization which recognizes youth leadership potential. “It's just a matter of finding those opportunities… It's one thing to be idealistic and optimistic but what is important is to sit down and actually do the work to govern and lead in some capacity,” he said. There is room for everyone to contribute when different generations come together. “Part of that process is building trust and as they start relinquishing their powers, I start picking up what they can't do anymore. It's a very seamless process, it eases the transition because they do have wisdom and advice that we certainly don't have but we can bring in new approaches, new technologies,” explained Reyes. From the “more experienced” generation at Sister Cities International, Alderman Joe Davis Sr. from Milwaukee's Sister Cities Committee, said, “Any organization that is going to enter into the Sister Cities Twinning agreement needs to have a youth component, whether they sit on the actual governing body or separate governing bodies as part of the structure. “Young people are coming to the table pure and if we don't give them the opportunity to these things — the real critical issues that faces them long-term — I think [we] miss out on opportunities, not only on economic growth but also on social relationships,” he explained. Twinning in Africa “The founding fathers of Africa were championing ‘togetherness' but somewhere along the line that got lost,” said Prince Kwame Kludjeson, president chair of Africa Global Sister Cities Foundation. “Africa has little to show in partnership within the continent [or what is there] is not enough to achieve development,” he added. “Governments have a role to play but citizens have a greater role in sustaining partnerships,” he noted. “Citizen diplomacy is the solution [to key problems as] poverty and education.” President and Founder of Sister Cities Africa, Bobker Mazoz, talked about setting the basis for concrete and solid partnerships between Africa and the rest of the world. “Trade and not aid is the key component to development,” he emphasized. Mazoz explained that aid has turned Africa into a welfare continent, that despite the increase in aid, poverty has skyrocketed as well as the spread of undemocratic rule, AIDS, corruption, civil wars and genocides. He suggested a two-way exchange of experience and expertise, for example, “send trainers instead of experts to do the work.” “With investment we can break the aid dependency, we have to have our own institutions and our own capacities,” said Mazoz. Partnership building One of the most popular ways in partnership building in Africa is through corporate social responsibility, a concept which many Egyptians are skeptical only works to the benefit of multinational corporations. “The reality is that we are talking two different languages,” said Deidre White, president and CEO of CDC Development Solutions. “The same social problems that are plaguing communities around the world are also affecting businesses,” she said. For example, we may talk in the Niger Delta, from the business perspective you'll be talking about business risk and the ability to operate in a stable environment. On the other hand, coming form the NGO perspective, it has to do with youth employment and youth empowerment. “Identifying problems affecting business ability to operate and having them put their resources in solving those problems is a win-win for the community. “I don't think the issue should be is the business getting something out of it, in fact it's good if businesses get something out of it as long as the community does too. They'll continue to invest in these programs,” she noted.
