Lasizwe represents SA at European Commission’s European Development Days

MTV announced that it will be the official media partner at the European Development Days (EDD), Europe’s leading forum on development organised by the European Commission annually since 2006.

This year, the EDD will take place on 18 and 19  June in Brussels under the theme ‘Addressing Inequalities: Building a world which leaves no one behind’. The EDD 2019 will examine and discuss the goals of the 2030 Agenda and the EU’s commitment to addressing inequalities.

MTV has planned a series of activities that involve the brand’s channels in Africa and Germany, leveraging social media and digital platforms in particular, as well as MTV Africa’s reality and YouTube star, Lasizwe Dambuza, from South Africa along with MTV VJ Ulrike Brase from Germany, who will be the official MTV reporters at the forum.

 “The MTV brand has always actively supported young people in raising their voices. We are glad to partner with the European Commission on this project where we can contribute in giving a collective voice to our African youth leaders at an open, collaborative and inclusive platform like the EDD,” said Alex Okosi, executive vice president and managing director for Viacom International Media Networks Africa and BET International.

A strong focus will be placed on the 15 young leaders, selected by the European Commission to share their vision of how to address inequalities in line with this year’s theme. Of the 15 young leaders attending from around the world, nine attendees are from the African continent.  Sandra Ajaja from Nigeria will be talking on investment and financial inclusion, Inota Cheta from Zambia will tackle inequality of opportunity while fellow Zambian Mwala Mooto will highlight challenges on inequalities, trade and private sector development. Aaron Atimpe from Ghana will share his views on gender inequality alongside Ghanian, Akosua Peprah, who will engage the EDD on education and health inequalities (education). Louison Mbombo, from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) will discuss health inequalities, Inès Tatiana Hounjo from Benin will lead on bridging the digital divide: managing digitalisation and technology for inclusive growth and Rejoice Namale from Malawi will add her voice to reducing inequalities: a catalyst for economic growth, poverty reduction and ensuring that no one is left behind. Judicaelle Irakoze from Burundi will shine a light on mobility and inequalities.

MTV Africa celebrates the spirit of youth, from escapism to activism.  With a deep-rooted history of focusing on issues that are important to young people, the brand helps drive social change and youth activism with ongoing audience engagement that encourages Africans to proudly own and shape culture and authentic storytelling with projects like MTV Base Meets, MTV SHUGA and the South African documentary trilogy: The People vs The Rainbow Nation, The People vs Patriarchy and upcoming July release, The People vs People.

Globally, the channels leads with MTV Breaks, the MTV platform created to give real-life opportunities to the next generation of creative talent around the world, and the MTV EMA Generation Change Award, which spotlights the fearless, original young people who are changing the world such as Hauwa Ojeifo from Nigeria who at the 2018 Awards was honored in recognition of her work as a mental health advocate.