News Release: US Consulate Hosts Youth Town Hall Meeting On Elections And Governance

The United States Consulate in Lagos has announced New Tools, New Governance, and a Town Hall with Young Nigerian Leaders to discuss the use of technology during the 2011 elections and to monitor governance and accountability after the elections. The town hall meeting, which holds on Thursday, June 16, is presented by development firm, The Future Project.

“Following the elections where young Nigerians were part of a successful movement to engage the process using technology tools including ReVoDa, ReclaimNaija, Facebook, Twitter and the successful RSVP (Register.Select.Vote.Protect) campaign,” said a statement from the Consulate, “we believe there is no time such as now to point the young population towards the direction of sustaining good governance and public accountability using these tools for citizen engagement.”

The town hall meeting between the US Consulate General and young Nigerian leaders, icons and influencers, is themed New Tools, New Governance - focusing on election and post election engagement for young Nigerians to build a strong democratic society and drive a true government of and by the people. It will feature a Keynote Address by the Consular General in Lagos, Joseph D. Stafford, presentations by developers of Nigeria-centric election participation tools and interactive sessions.

“We are happy to be a part of this project, and it is in line with our work for 6-years now to open channels of engagement, communication and learning between young Nigerians and young Nigerian leaders and institutions and structures that can drive positive change for our country,” said Chude Jideonwo, who is Managing Partner of The Future Project. “The time is now, more than ever, for Active Citizenship that will ensure that governments are put on their toes to deliver the sustainable development that Nigerians voted for in April.”

The by-invitation-only event will hold in the officers of the US Public Affairs Section in Lagos.

The Future Project (TFP) is a social enterprise/change communications firm affiliated to Red Media that is set up based on a strong, practical commitment to human and capital development, especially in Nigeria. It is also committed to using the media (traditional/new) to find effective and innovative ways of addressing social issues.Founded in 2005, it has become one of the most respected private sector-driven development platforms with a history of verifiable impact, including in under-privileged and grassroots communities. It is also organizer of the nation’s most respected youth event, The Future Awards.

Compliments of:
The Future Awards