00:00From discussion on music and culture to mental health and the use of social media,
00:06award-winning French and Congolese rapper Youssefa joined content creators and media
00:11professionals in Brussels for a conversation about the issues shaping a new generation for
00:16African youth. The gathering formed part of the Kuman x Brussels initiative built around the
00:23popular Ivorian podcast Les Sans Parler les gens, which uses humor and culture to spark
00:29conversations and issues affecting young Africans and their engagement online.
00:35We must build on the positive. We tend to be placed in the tough situations, but the hard times are
00:41always going to be there. I said it just an hour ago. The hard times matter everywhere, whatever
00:47the generation. And in fact, if we settle for just the hard part, we won't move forward. We're going
00:52to move forward with people who encourage us, the resources, the talents.
00:57The day began with workshops bringing together researchers and institutional actors to discuss
01:02how digital platforms can better connect with younger audiences, encourage civic participation,
01:08and how it can be used for social change. Participants also took part in a listening club
01:14discussing episodes of the podcast which tackle issues ranging from online hate speech, malicious
01:20AI generated material and cyber bullying to mental health, gender based violence, and geopolitical
01:27discourse. Discussing the issues is one thing and preferring solutions is yet another as one of the
01:32participants shared.
01:35I think today we're in a world where our generations are trying to implement solutions and measures that
01:40ensure that as much as we want to heal a society that suffered in the past, at the same time
01:45tell ourselves
01:46that it is possible to stay together, to live together. And I think that's what's beautiful and important.
01:51Because today's youth is really trying to make a difference. And I think we should rely on these young people
01:57and trust them all.
01:59Some of the themes here tonight have explored new ways of engaging the African youth through humor, culture, and digital
02:07storytelling.
02:07For organizers, this would help young Africans to better express themselves in a way that can facilitate social cohesion,
02:14combat hate speech, cyber bullying, among other things.
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