YEDIS CEO Rafiu Olaore: I had the distinct honor of participating for the third consecutive time in the annual meeting organized by The World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund, along with the Civil Society Policy Forum, which occurred from October 21 to 26, 2024, in Washington, DC. This event encompassed a series of enlightening sessions that offered an invaluable opportunity to deepen my understanding of global economic policy frameworks, share innovative solutions to pressing social challenges, and engage in vital discussions regarding the essential role of civil society in shaping sustainable development strategies.
My involvement included participating in several informative meetings, notably a town hall session with the President of the World Bank and the Board of Directors and a session with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, tailored for civil society organizations. It was particularly noteworthy that my nongovernmental organization, the Youths Enterprise Development & Innovation Society (YEDIS), actively participated in the World Bank Global International Development Association/IDA21 Forum on October 22, 2024. As a G20 Brazil 2024 working group member on digitalization, food systems, poverty, and hunger, I attended Finance Track G20 Social Side Events during the WBG 2024 annual meeting.
I enhance my skills and knowledge through diverse sessions such as “Creating Jobs for Young People,” “Agriculture and Food as Engines of Sustainable Growth,” “Prioritizing Children for Sustainable Development: The Impact of Investing in Essential Public Services,” “Climate Voices: Green Jobs and the Future of Work for Women and Men,” “Civic: The Civil Society and Social Innovation Alliance” and “Partnerships for Impact: Accelerating Progress by Working Together.” The networking opportunities, including receptions such as the World Bank Accountability Mechanism Happy Hours and the Civil Society Policy Forum Networking Reception, proved especially beneficial. These events facilitated engagement with government officials, representatives from private organizations, academics, and leaders of prominent civil society organizations, thereby enabling productive collaborations to address pressing challenges within our communities, nations, and globally.
I intend to leverage the knowledge acquired to empower others, organize post-events on Green Jobs for youth, and advocate for climate change and disaster risk reduction. I will disseminate insights through my professional networks and regularly collaborate with international CSOs and relevant stakeholders to advocate for sustainable development goals, particularly concerning entrepreneurship education, job creation, youth empowerment, and community development initiatives.
Rafiu Akinpelu Olaore,
Founder/Executive Director of Youths Enterprise Development and Innovation Society (YEDIS), Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria.
URL: https://yedis.org