I fail to understand the current state of affairs in the African continent, one that has given so much to the world, and how it became the way it is. The biggest reasons must be corruption and injustice, and I believe our continent can rise if we fight. I can say my biggest dream is to restore Africa to its original state.
In my country, Mali, ordinary people live in hardship and poverty. There is no doubt the current uprisings and conflicts are results of corruption and unjust power. On the other side, the system and politicians see extreme poverty as the people’s own fault, leaving them behind. And the ones most disappointed can become radicalized. Most people in this country are looking for a dedicated government attentive to their needs and rights. I dream of helping people stay hopeful and preventing the state from failing.
To realize our dreams, we need justice, first and foremost. Without justice, there can be no peace. Corruption is the source of social inequality and disparity, and we must confront it. To do so, we must establish strict laws and develop equal opportunities for people to access education, goods, and services. And this will be supported by social innovation. We must embrace new social practices that enable us to meet social needs more efficiently. Toward these goals, I founded Youth for Change Mali, a platform of young leaders that aims to maximize the youth’s contributions to Mali’s development. We are around 14,000 young volunteers impacting the life of Malians across different areas.
There is no doubt that we’re going through turbulent times. The Malians’ strong will, beautifully expressed through our motto “One People, One Goal, One Faith,” can provide the energy and strength needed to achieve better living conditions in our country.
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