KIGALI, July 28 (Xinhua) -- The International Youth Forum in Kigali has attracted more than 2,000 people from across Africa to the Rwandan capital to reflect on the power, energy, and promise of youth on the continent, organizers said.
The forum, part of the Giants of Africa Festival, was convened on Sunday, featuring global leaders, artists, and athletes driving fresh conversations on entrepreneurship and the impact of sports and culture.
Addressing the gathering, Rwandan President Paul Kagame said the Giants of Africa has been a trailblazer in sports, infrastructure, and in identifying and developing the talent that is in Africa's youth.
"Africa needs to believe in its own greatness. We must do what great nations do: grow, develop, and stand tall with confidence," he said. "Africa cannot continue to lag behind other parts of the world."
"I want to encourage you to believe that greatness is within you. Go out there and make the most of your time and the tools you have, both on the field and off it, and that will bring out the greatness inside you," Kagame said.
Giants of Africa co-founder Masai Ujiri challenged African youth to do bigger things.
"Believe in yourself. We dreamt about something, but you can do bigger and better," he said. "We can all support each other and even make ourselves bigger."
Ujiri recalled how his mother used to pull his ear, asking, "Is this basketball going to feed you? Is this basketball going to feed you?"
"It's feeding a whole lot of other people now," he said.
Robin Roberts, co-anchor of ABC's Good Morning America, told the youth that dreams have no deadlines and advised them against putting themselves under unnecessary pressure.
"Dream big, yes, but remember: It's the small, consistent goals you achieve along the way that build the path to your biggest dreams," she said.
Rwandan Minister of Youth Jean Nepo Abdallah Utumatwishima emphasized that becoming a giant is possible with a mindset change.
"It's not about height or fame. It's about mindset," he said. "You (Giants of Africa) remind us that being a giant is possible for African youth, not just in basketball, but in business, global leadership, the arts, and innovation."
This year's Giants of Africa Festival kicked off on Saturday, bringing together young people and coaches from across Africa for a weeklong celebration of basketball, culture, music, education, and connection.
The event runs through Aug. 2.
Held under the theme "A Borderless Africa," the festival aims to harness the power of sport to educate, inspire, and empower the next generation of African leaders, while promoting unity and opportunity across borders.
Sunday's event featured entertainment by various artists, and basketball teams from across Africa showcased their traditional attire, celebrating their roots and the diverse cultures they represent. ■
