Making an Impact as a Global Changemaker

A Changemaker is a young activist operating through a range of national and international networks, who is able to influence his or her community as well as speak to authority with confidence and passion. Changemakers are not afraid to challenge either accepted ways of thinking or their convictions. Changemakers are forward looking; they take their ideas and put them into practice. A Changemaker accepts difference, is flexible, is able to take on new ideas and skills and will communicate them to others.

Becoming a Changemaker takes longer than one or two weeks: participants have to be prepared to commit to the programme for longer - but in return, the British Council commits to the Changemakers. The engagement may take a number of forms: for instance, taking part in regional or global think tanks, participating in awareness-raising campaigns and developing and running community projects on their return home. These projects will be supported by the Global Changemakers team, by country offices and by partner organisations.

Akeju Olukemi Abimbola as Global Changemaker participated in the just concluded African Youth Summit in Cape Milner Hotel, Cape Town South Africa from 2nd – 7th June 2009. The summit was powered by the British Council, Switzerland. The summit attracted about 70 young social activists representing different continents all other the world but with the highest delegation from the Africa Continent.
Olukemi had the opportunity to represent all the delegates on South African National Radio Station and the South African Broadcasting Corporation {SABC} to speak on the British Council Global Changemakers Initiative, Youth Participation, and Leadership Challenges in Africa.