By Jeremiah Archibong
Afterschool Center for Career Development, ACCD, a Non-Governmental Capacity Development Organization committed to inspiring, investing and engaging young people is set to implement the first-ever Africa Code Week, ACW in Nigeria, precisely in Calabar, Cross River State capital.
The Africa Code Week which is billed to hold across 17 African countries (Angola, Benin, Botswana, Cameroon, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Morocco, Senegal, Seychelles, South Africa, Togo and Tunisia) from the 1st – 10th of October, 2015, will empower young people, teachers and parents with the language of software programming using a freely available “Scratch” system to help bridge the digital skills gap.
Organizers told CrossRiverWatch that, “Coding is the literacy of the digital age, a whole new language for young people to speak fluently and express themselves in the 21st century.
“Knowing that about 11 million youths are expected to enter the African labor market every year over the next decade and that digital jobs could increase their income by 40% to 200%.
“The Africa Code Week is therefore designed to empower future generations with the coding tools and skills they need to thrive in the 21st century workforce and become key actors of Africa’s economic development.”
The event also seeks to equip young Africans with the coding skills they need to thrive in their careers, become key contributors to Africa’s economic development and mentor the next generation to do the same.
ACCD will anchor the inaugural Africa Code Week in Calabar, Cross River State by implementing the following activities for the week: Africa Code Week Summit, A Week long Coding Class and Codathon- for Social Change.
Participation is entirely free of charge. Africa Code Week will equip no fewer than 20,000 kids and youths within the ages 8 to 24 with coding skills and they will get to know that “coding is fun and it can open many doors in your life”.
There are also programs set aside for teachers and technology enthusiasts willing to become trainers.
For registration and partnership, email organizers: info@afterschoolcentre.org or call 07038478577, 08187508000.
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