Baobabconnections is an online and offline program to support and engage urban youth leaders and artists from around the world to make change by actively participating in the improvement of their own neighborhoods and cities.

The substantive focus of Baobabconnections’ work is in sustainable development, urban safety and cultural expression. Baobabconnections’ vision is the improvement of lives of urban youth at risk and the communities they live in.

Baobabconnections’ objective is for urban youth leaders and artists from around the world to make change by actively participating in the improvement of their own neighborhoods and cities. Baobabconnections contributes to the achievement of this objective through a three-fold strategy:

1. Support: Baobabconnections offers web training, environmental leadership training and organizational capacity building
2. Engage: Baobabconnections produces online media and interactive programs to stimulate awareness, interaction and collaborative friendships
3. Make Change: Baobabconnections is one of the leading partners in a network of seven organizations who work with arts, culture and sports to bring together youth and their local governments in order to co-produce policies for urban safety and peace

Half of the world’s population lives in cities in developing countries and more than half of these urban dwellers are young. Instead of seeing urban youth as an enormous opportunity, most local and national governments view them as an economic and political safety threat, resulting in social exclusion.

Governments mainly react in a repressive way. Social and economic costs of this approach to society are enormous while violence can never be a lasting means to
harmonize communities. Instead, a more intelligent approach is needed.

When we take a closer look at these young urban communities we see a wealth of opportunities and inspiring young creative leaders who are able to transform their communities from within. All they need is a support network and a little more trust from society as a whole.

The digital world has taken a permanent place in our societies and while information technology (IT) is still unevenly distributed around the world, it has become an essential tool for young people creating change. The use of IT for social change is growing rapidly and many movements are building their own social communities online.

Baobabconnections has developed a unique web tool that allows each partner to build their own branded social community within the larger global network.
Each partner thus maintains a unique website while community membership and content are linked to other partners in the network. Through participating in this worldwide community, they access knowledge, connections, funding opportunities and support from peers. Content can be published on a partner website but may also be shared across the entire network.

Baobabconnections through its online platform identifies young artistic community leaders, gives them a digital space and connects them to a global community of young creative leaders. These young people are the glue for social cohesion, they reach youth and are the bridge to local politicians.

Baobabconnections works together with its partners and the communities they serve in Brazil, DR Congo, Colombia, USA, Canada, Uganda, South Africa and Tanzania.
Within three years, Baobabconnections together with its network of primary partners all over the world aims to reach one million members and connect 500 organizations in 50 countries. Simultaneously, Baobabconnections aims to support 300 young leaders and connect them to their local governments.

Project Details

Project url: 

http://www.baobabconnections.org

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Project RSS: 

http://www.baobabconnections.org/news/rss/?cid=1

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Both ENDS

Project Social Media Links: 

Baobabconnections

Partner site: Caramundo (Brazil)

Partner site: Yole Africa (Congo)

Location