Conference Call from Whitehouse

The main Agenda of the Conference call was to discuss the First Lady's upcoming trip to South Africa and Botswana.
 The conference lasted one and half hours and it Started at exactly 11:45 PM EAT with 15 minutes registration. The following was the required personal details for registration,

• Name of individual
• Organization you are representing
• The Country you are from.
• The contacts.
• 
  

After that, the Conference call discussions started with around 100 participants.
It started with an introduction from the Tina Tchen, Chief of Staff to the First Lady, and Jocelyn Frye, Director of Policy and Projects for the First Lady: They gave a detailed schedule of the places the first Lady is going to visit on her trip to the two countries, The historic and political importance of these venues and the expected outcomes of the trip.
After this, it was Question and answer time.
 PanAAC representative, Isaac Kosgei was among the eight who were selected to ask questions.
 On behalf of PanAAC, Isaac asked the below question

“At PanAAC we are interested in engaging the youth in Agribusiness because we are convinced that the future for African Continent is Agribusiness. The youth must be supported with finance to start up innovative projects in ICT and Agribusiness but they do not own land or any collateral, what is the US government doing in regard to this”
The below points were Noted:

• The Obama Administration is keen on ensuring the development in the African continent and they continue to supported several projects in Africa through   USAID.
• The Obama administration are looking for ways to foster the spirit on entrepreneurship and the first lady trip is a vehicle to showcase and highlight the US commitment towards the support of the Youth in Africa and the world at large, this is a continuation of what President Obama started in 2010 with the Youth Leaders forum in Whitehouse. The first lady has taken this up with a trip to UK, Brazil, India, Mexico and other Countries
• They are planning a meeting early next year to discuss Agribusiness and they will invite a number of innovative leaders on the Ground to this meeting to share ideas on Agribusiness and Youth empowerment.
• Organizations like PanAAC are encouraged to highlight and showcase the extraordinary work they are doing on the Ground particularly on Youth and Agribusiness. They said we  share success stories through the white house Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/DOSAfricanAffairs?sk=wall  the white house twitter Hashtag  #Young Africa
• They also challenged the Youth especially in Africa to take part in creation of the best democracies.

FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA TO VISIT SOUTH AFRICA AND BOTSWANA
Official visit continues the First Lady’s work engaging youth at home and abroad

First Lady Michelle Obama announced that she will travel to Johannesburg and Cape Town, South Africa and Gaborone, Botswana during an official visit to Africa from June 21 – 26 focused on youth leadership, education, health and wellness. The trip is a continuation of Mrs. Obama’s work to engage young people at home and abroad, from mentoring students in the United States and encouraging them to gain international experience, to encouraging young people to excel academically, serve, and lead during her visits to Brazil, Chile, El Salvador, India, Mexico and the United Kingdom.  Accompanying Mrs. Obama on this trip will be her mother, Mrs. Robinson and her daughters, Malia and Sasha Obama.
This visit to two critical countries will underscore the United States important stake in the success of Africa's many nations. It will underscore the historic connections between the American people and the Africans.  South Africa is a vital global partner for the United States, a political leader and economic engine on the continent, and a historic example of democratic transition in Africa and around the world. Botswana’s enduring democracy, bolstered by its commitment to using its vast natural resources to invest in its people and grow its economy, models the potential for good governance, and strong institutions to advance prosperous and stable societies.
In addition to advancing her international youth engagement agenda, the First Lady’s events will amplify the President’s support for democracy, development and economic opportunity across Africa.  During her trip, Mrs. Obama will deliver the keynote address to a U.S.-sponsored Young African Women Leaders Forum in South Africa.  Forum participants include young women from across sub-Saharan Africa who are leading or involved in social and economic initiatives in their own countries.  The Forum will build on the Obama Administration’s ongoing engagement with the next generation of African leaders and the momentum of the August 2010 President’s Forum with Young African Leaders held at the White House.
Mrs. Obama’s engagement with the people of South Africa and Botswana, as well as women and youth leaders from across sub-Saharan Africa will further strengthen the already deep connections between the United States and African nations. The Obama Administration has focused on expanding ties across the region's people, based upon mutual respect, mutual responsibility and shared interests. In 2009 in Accra, Ghana, the President highlighted our nation’s commitment to Africa's future, underscoring that in this globalized world, Africa's democratic development, health and security is connected to our own.
Africa's future will be shaped by its growing and dynamic youth population. Building stronger and more enduring relationships with Africa’s emerging young leaders, tapping the strength and potential of African women, and investing in the health and well-being of its children upholds core American values and advances American interests.
From long standing family and ancestral ties to significant engagement by our houses of worship, non-profit organizations, educational institutions, and businesses, the American people have deep ties and enduring relationships with Africa’s many nations with a strong interest in the wellbeing and prosperity of its people.  In addition, each year more than 30,000 African students study in American schools, colleges and universities, while more than 10,000 American students study in schools across Africa.  The United States government also sponsors a range of exchange programs supporting African leadership, economic growth and cultural ties between our two people.