T.G., 13, UK

The adjectives that come to my mind when I think of Africa are poor, needy, uneducated, hungry and thirsty.

"ochi," 47, Nigeria

When I think of Africa, the adjectives that come to mind include painful experiences that have made its people unable to rise and meet the challenges of modern development in all areas of endeavour. When I think of Africa, I think of how brutally the rest of the world has been treating Her which has led to Her present state of extreme poverty. A continent and people not valued and respected by the rest of world.

Mona, 28, Phillippines

I salute Africa for preserving its forest and environment. Although there is this global deterioration, Africa can still boost its forest compared to other nations which have denuded mountains and forests. What are left are only grasses and bushes!

Education is the best remedy to save not only men but also children and women from being affected with AIDS. A campaign against AIDS should be made especially among remote rural areas where access to information about AIDS is less.

Unless education for all people won't be ensured, development will still be on its snail pace. Educate the less fortunate African for them to participate in the development plans for their country.

Corruption is a disease like cancer that kills the people's economy. Corruption in Africa as well as in the entire world should be eliminated.

Due to malnutrition in Africa, people especially children are affected in many aspects not only physical but also the totality of their personality. Help Africa combat its disabilities by helping them. This world is becoming smaller. What is happening in Africa affects the whole nation. Let's help one another in developing our nations.

Conflict will always be present in Africa from the micro-level up to macro-level unless rights and needs of the citizens are not properly addressed. Let's recognize one's rights to avoid escalating small conflicts into bigger ones.

Unless the African people will not unite to fight against corruption, debts will always remain unpaid until the next generations to come.

I think gender inequality is still widely observed among the African people. Empower both men and women!

Access to employment among African people should be based on their qualifications as human beings, not based on their colors.

Malnutrition in Africa is rampant as shown in the televisions and in the web. African people should be given free access to medical health services especially among those who are less fortunate.

Urbanization in Africa could not be achieved unless its government will not improve its roads and other facilities.

David, 66, Thailand

We can best help Africans by directly funding education in deprived communities, better education means better health, better income and better community and environmental management.

Amer, 17, Bangladesh

What amazes me is how Africa and its people seem to be on a track of extinction. 365 days of the year, the people of that continent are either killing each other or dying of AIDS, malaria, etc. From the segregation and killings of Rwanda to the conflicts in Sudan and Nigeria. Something must be done.

Jenn, 17, UK

Poverty!—simple as. I do realise that this is a sweeping generalisation and that this is not the case for all of Africa. But when we are constantly bombarded by images of starving children by charities appealing for money—one cannot help but have this idea imprinted in their brain.

Festu, 24, Kenya

Africa is a very rich continent, but it is paradoxical that it is the poorest continent as far as development is concerned. Developement is fostered and hastened by education which gives technical knowhow. Young and dynamic youths from Africa should be educated and get informed. By so doing, developement and poverty alleviation will be fast. And AIDS will be a history to Africans; because, poverty and luck of knowledge (or ignorance) about AIDS are what are contibuting tremendously towards the sread of this monstar. I pray for this great Continent (Africa) that it may get relieved from theseand that one day, we will be at par with other continent. Because I can not change it alone in any capacity, LET GOD DO HIS BEST.

Z.Z., 25, India

When I think of Africa the first thing that comes to my mind is the spirit of survival. It also reminds me of the feeling of comaraderie that must live betwwen us, the people of this world, if we were to develop in the true sense of the term. Africa is a continent of masses and a continent of hopes. It makes me dream and makes me restless to reach out and mingle with these masses and listen to them patiently; about their lives, culture and their dreams. And learn from them the great sense of survival that they have …

Nandak, 21, Nigeria

The first thing that comes to my mind when Africa is mentioned is underdevelopment. I see poverty, dirty environment and hunger as part of this. These are issues which touch the very heart of frican societies.

Jay, 22, US

Poverty is not only Africas greatest challenge, it is the worlds greatest challenge. Nothing else can change when most of the world still wakes up with their main concern being how they are going to take care of their basic human needs. People eat themselves to death in the united states while people starve to death in Africa. Personally i would cut military spending by atleast a third and pour the money into combating poverty and providing those basic needs so that impoverished people can begin to focus on getting ahead rather than on where their next meal is coming from.

"youthagenda," 26, Ghana

I am glad to get intouch with Youthink!, to comment on some issues which from my point of view needed to be taken into consideration. With regards to my country Ghana, the youth are doing their best as far as developmental issues are concerned but the problem is most of the youth organisations in the country find it very difficult to get funding for thier activities, taken my country as an example we find it very difficult to get right source of funding for our projects which when effected very well will bring a development to nation, you will be surprise that after presenting several proposal to the various agencies in the country which we thought can assist us carry our projects succesfully by helping us fund our projects will rather up fastracting us with numerals escuses, to be frank this has been on the increase as far as the various youth organisation in the country are concerned. Looking at this I have taken it upon myself to call on Youthink! to come our aid by way of helping us identify donors who will be ready by helping the youth organisations in Ghana to actully promote development in the and the world as well.

In view of this, I will be greatful if you can get back to me and advise us on how to fund our projects, especially in Ghana here, without going through much stress.

Counting on your cooperation.
Looking forward to your reply .
Thanks.

Ofodalu, 20, Cameroon

Here is the voice of an African of nationality CAMEROON, the land of indomptable lions.

My preoccupation is about DEVELOPMENT in Africa. For many years today African lives under the help of multiple countries and I have decided to write this poem to them to give them a solution [to] the problem of our development because giving a poor man food every day without teaching him how to look for it is of no use.

Because my country is bilingual, i have decided to write the poem in french and it is in title:

FILS DU PAUVRE.

FILS AFRICAIN
FILS DU PAUVRE
FILS NOIR
FILS NEGRE

MAMAN AFRIQUE NOUS A DONNE LA VIE
ELLE NOUS A DDONE SON LAIT
ELLE A PRIS SOIN DE NOUS
ELLENOUS A BERCE DANS SES BRAS

ET AUJOURD'HUI NOUS SOMMES

DES CHEFS d'ETATS
DES HOMMES D'EGLISES
DES HOMMES DE PAIX ET DE CANNON
DES HOMMES DE PEU DE SAGESSE

ELLE NOUS A CONSEILLE ET NOUS L'AVONS DESOBEIT
AUJOURD'HUI ,NOUS VIVONS DIVISES
NOUS SOMMES DES HOMMES DE COMBAT
NOUS SOMMES DES HOMMES DE PEU DE FOIE
NOUS SOMMES DEVENUS DES ESCLAVES DES ARMES A FEU
NOUS RESPIRONS L'OCCIDENT
NOUS VIVONS L'OCCIDENT
NOUS VIVONS LA MAIN TENDUE
NOUS QUEMANDONS NUITS ET JOURS

RESTERONS NOUS DEPENDANT DE L'OCCIDENT?
POURQUOI PAS COOPERER ENTRE NOUS
POURQUOI PAS ECHANGER NOTRE CAFE ENTRE FRERE ET EN RETOUR SON CACAO?
POURQUOI PAS EVITER L'ANALPHABETISME, LE TRIBALISME?
JOUR ET NUIT VOUS SUBISSEZ LE RACISME
DANS VOS COEURS, BRULE UN MOT:LA VANGEANCE
MAMAN AFRIQUE PLEURE CHAQUE JOUR POUR VOUS SES FILSEN VOUS REGARDANT MOURIR
ELLE VOUS DEMANDE JUSTE L'unite SAUF L'unite ENTRE VOUS
Oh mama africa merci pour ton amour.

If you can help me forward this poem to any African it will be of great help to me and to the youths of Africa because we want and we need Africa unity for our development.

Chiikod, 23, Zambia

Africa like any other continent is rich, all what is needed is to invest fully in the natural resources such that the local people can benefit. Development can just be achieved if we can utilise our natural resources especially in the agricultural sector. There is need for the governments to invest in agricultural schemes so as to fight poverty and this may lead to development.

Rex, 25, Kenya

Poverty being a major toll in Africa, employment too follows as a setback of the same. Lack of proper business skills also leads to procrastination of creativity among the youth. If education was given a fast priority, then the nation could be miles away on issues of development.

Prashant, 17, Sri Lanka

I'd say that Africa's greatest challenge would be to educate it huge population. A more educated community means that there is greater chance for survival, people would not depend on governments and aid donors for their living but would try to find there own way out. As I believe, educated people would have a better morale. This is something that would help people when they are in despair. Most of Africa is terrorised by drought, disease, famine, warfare, unemployment and corruption. If any authority tries to overcome this mass illitracy, this new educated population would strive to help itself out.

"vincology," 21, Nigeria

The greatest challenges Africa is facing are poverty and illiteracy. Though Africa has come of age, the rate of poverty in Africa makes majority of Africans think of not going to school but rather leads them to prostitution, robbery, etc. From my own point of view, I suggest that more scholarships progrrammes should be organised to enhance education in Africa. And also to encourage them to think big.

Bheku, 31, Zimbabwe

I feel Africa's greatest challenge is corruption. It seems like we have leaders who refuse to let go of power once we entrust them with it, or once they've thrust their leadership on us. For me, the solution is education of the masses. Unfortunately, there's not enough of us who can see the early warning signs of impending dictatorship. The uneducated masses are easy to bribe with food and promises; unfortunately, there's not enough of us who can see that what they're doing is no different from other tyrannical leaders in history. If the masses can learn that they have a right to question why leaders can go on expensive shopping trips whilst children learn under a tree, if at all, then I believe we'd be looking at a different Africa. If the masses can learn that it is within their rights to have a leader removed, then maybe there's hope. Otherwise, we'll see this cycle over and over again: Freedom, Prosperty, Corruption, Poverty, War.

M.M., 32, Ghana

In recent times most African youth face a lot of challenges in terms of education.

L.M., 66, Phillippines

Africa has to create an educational system that is strong in values to ward off the ills that are causing so much disunity and disarray among its people.

Heather, 17, Canada

Africa's challenge is to break out of the box that the rest of the world has put it in. The problems of AIDS, famine, war, political strife, and educational development are first on the minds of outsiders. Africa faces large problems and there are no quick solutions. But it is important to remember that Africa is not supposed to and will not look like the developed western nations. Finding the roots of socioeconomic problems and setting realistic goals for Africa to become a better Africa can only be done by removing the box the world has placed Africa in.

Nyaga, 24, Kenya

I feel although the Kenyan government is making great progress towards minimizing the number of new HIV infection cases [but] they drift away from the caring of the already orphaned million children in the country. The direct contact between the government and the children is missing and what the international community gets as the figures for orphaned cases comes out of estimation. I don't question the number but I would challenge the government if they can locate an eighth of that number. This shows lack of contact between the government and its citizen.

Tapiwa, 28, Zimbabwe

The biggest problem with Aftica is the balkanised states inherited from old colonial times. They limit development, education, business, communication, health delivery and any other basic items taken for granted elsewhere. The colonial state further encourages division by the use of regionalism and ethnicity.

I would solve this problem by uniting African countries into fewer larger states. This will not happen easily or quickly because they are too many vested interests in maintaining the status-quo.

Kunzy, 25, Nigeria

There is a lot of people wanting to reap and have not sown especially in Nigeria/Africa. In an effort to take what they have not worked for, they tend to sell themselves and their entire community short, therefore bringing down the values of our culture and resources. We need to start to empower our youth and children to change the mindset and start to build a more positive Africa.

Emma, 23, Nigeria

Here in Nigeria which is the giant of africa, Nigeria prison conditions have worsened due to the growing financial constraints, increase in the incident of crime and general underdevelopment. Prisoners are kept under abject dehumanizing condition. Government should ensure that:

1. the designs and building of prisons are modernized.

2. newly built prisons should be commissioned and uncompleted ones should be completed.

3. feeding, medical attention and physical standard of existing prisons should be improved urgently.

"fedcmtog," 24, Tanzania

The conflict in countries surrounding Tanzania such as Rwanda, Burundi,and Democratic Republic of Congo resulted into large number of refugees in Tanzania. Refugees from [all] three countries see Tanzania as the best and peaceful place to be.

Due to this, the Tanzanian government has to budget a lot of money in keeping refugees rather than using that money in improving social services. So this can be counted as among the sources of poverty in Africa. Therefore UN and other developed countries have to be aware of this problem and should be concerned in finding solutions for it. Also, African countries through AU should have a special budget in keeping refugees rather than depending on the external agencies.

"fujii," 23, Nigeria

For Africa to meet up with the development challenges, we must be ready to support and build our capacity. We have been trying but our best is not enough.

Christinda, 25, Cote d'Ivoire

Everyone in the world must be free to think and to express ideas. It is also important take an active part in actions to better living conditions in Africa. Without a minimum of education level nobody can take part actively in the development of Africa. Education must be to the maximum in Africa, if we hope Africa to be developed …

S. G., 23, India

To African countries, I think handling foreign intervention (even aid and associated conditions) is as big a problem as handling health and poverty. I read about misguided water privatisation initiatives due to foreign intervention.

"mackytie," 19, South Africa

Probably Africa's greatest challenge is poverty, and multlateral dependency syndrome. Many African countries are dependent on multilateral institutions for solutions to problems in their own countries to the extent that the countries themselves cannot develop their own home grown solutions, i.e. they operate on economic prescriptions developed by other people. Until the African people realse this and develop their own solutions, poverty reduction will always remain a dream. Some success stories include Malaysia, China and Japan that made an initiative to develop their own home grown solutions and it worked.

"conelu," 24, Nigeria

Africa's greatest challenge is their corruped leaders and "stay put" mentality but mainly it is due to greed they just want to make the country bankrupt.

Balik, 22, Uganda

Most of tbe Africans do just talk about AIDS but do not take any seriuos caution about it. Like in Uganda any poor family can decide to give away the daughters to rich men without minding their future simply because they want to get money to survive. This has led many young girls to get AIDS.

"eribreeze," 22, Eritrea

I would erase the corrupt governments first if I could because no matter how [much] aid the African nations get it won't be useful because in the end it's getting in the hands of these corrupt governments who'll use them for their own benefit.

Pearl, 21, Ghana

Like a wild fire AIDS is blazing in Africa and like a hungry lion AIDS is devouring the youth upon whose shoulders the future of this continent lies on. AIDS is Africa's greatest challenge since we youth are not only infected but affected by this pandemic. Serious public education and behaviourial change would help curb this problem.

Aasri, 22, Singapore

The education of HIV/AIDS in villages in Africa will help promote better understanding of the problem, and one would hope reduce the number of new HIV/AIDS cases in the region.

The education of nutrition issues for the HIV/AIDS patients will also benefit them and the community.

Douglas, 23, Kenya

I believe that the following solutions can address issues afflicting Africa.

1. Leadership is critical if Africa has to address its problems. Once the sons and daughters of Africa realise that they owe it to Africa, then we can ahcieve development,create opportunities for our youth and establish an environment for us to engage in economic activities.

2. Secondly the West must re-evaluate their relationship with Africa because they are the other half of bad leadership. Their slefish capitalist interests ruin Africa and its children. Not forgetting the atrocities the West committed to Africa taking it 100 years behind in development through slavery and colonial looting, their continued meddling in Africa through sponsoring anarchy to continue stealing our wealth must stop. Is it not common knowledge that if any African leader didn't allow exploitation of African resources by the west,he could be toppled (read about Lumumba in the Congo).

3. For Africa to achieve in terms of trade there should be fair trade to enable African farmers compete favorably in the international market.