23 Namibians complete Covid-19 challenge

Enhancing employment prospects
JUSTISIA SHIPENA
Justicia Shipena



Launched in May this year, the participants of the Unicef Covid-19 youth challenge received certificates of participation last Friday at the United Nations House in Windhoek.

According to United Nations resident coordinator Sen Pang, the Covid-19 youth innovation challenge tapped into the skills of young people and allowed them to innovate and share experiences on the short- and long-term challenges posed by Covid-19.

“Within a short space of one and a half month, 11 African countries participated in the challenge, drawing over 30 000 young people who signed into the challenge.”

Pang said over 8 000 young people successfully completed the challenge.

“In Namibia, about 99 youth took part with 23 of them completing the challenge,” said Pang.

He added that the challenge was aimed at giving the youth a voice in ensuring access to reliable information, as well as an opportunity to come up with solutions addressing psychosocial issues.

“The certificates of participation you will receive bear testimony of the knowledge and skills you have acquired through this challenge and will further enhance your employability prospects.”

Speaking at the certificate handover ceremony, 21-year-old Beatha Iileka, participant of the 2020 Covid-19 youth challenge, said the challenge taught the participants to explore ideas that will bring change to their communities and create a better environment for all.

“It was also a catalyst for us to link our ideas to the sustainable development goals and ensure that even in the midst of a pandemic, no one is left behind,” she said.

Iileka added that apart from the challenge report, they were also given a personality profile which includes things they are good at and career paths to consider.

“This was indeed a form of self-discovery and self-growth and a means to fuel us so we can do better and equipped change makers,” she said.

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Unicef Covid-19 youth challenge participants pictured with United Nations staff at the United Nations House in Windhoek.

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United Nations resident coordinator Sen Pang. PHOTOS JUSTICIA SHIPENA