JA Worldwide has been nominated for the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize. For 43 years, JA Africa, a part of the global JA network, has been helping young people in Africa develop the skills and mentality they need to start enterprises, find meaningful work, and establish vibrant communities.
For more than a century, JA has worked in places around the world where there is political unrest, violence, and war, as well as the resulting unemployment, poverty, and hopelessness. JA works as a bridge for peace and prosperity by assisting youngsters in developing the employment and entrepreneurial skills they need to find meaningful work and create sustainable businesses.
Asheesh Advani, CEO of JA Worldwide, shared his perspective in response to the nomination: “Peace is only possible when youth in all countries and regions have economic empowerment. JA Worldwide is honored to receive this nomination and will continue our work to enable all young people to have the skillset and mindset to build thriving communities. Our primary hope for solving the world’s most complex problems rests in the young people of today who will be the leaders of tomorrow.”
Following this tremendous honor, JA Africa is thanking its donors and partners who have helped to make a difference in the lives of over two million young Africans who have benefited from JA programs. Citi Foundation, FedEx, Delta Air Lines, Tomorrow Foundation, Project Management Institute Educational Foundation (PMIEF), Prudence Foundation, Google.org, African Development Band, Meta, Prince’s Trust International, Oliver Wyman, UNEP, Ecobank Foundation, Motorola Foundation, and Aiducation Foundation are among the hundreds of local relationships and partnerships with which JA Africa is proud to have worked.
JA Africa, in conjunction with these partners, is boosting Africa’s youth entrepreneurial ecosystems, encouraging stakeholder collaboration, and assisting young people as they prepare to enter the workforce.
“We are grateful to have the support of our partners and donors who, despite having to make cutbacks in these difficult times, are resolute in their commitment to invest in the youth of Africa,” said JA Africa’s CEO, Simi Nwogugu. She added, “Peace is foundational for any country to prosper and the youth hold the keys to promoting peace and prosperity in the present and foreseeable future. It is an honor for our work at JA to be recognized and nominated for such a prestigious award. I congratulate all Board Members on the regional JA Africa board as well as on all the Member Nation boards in 13 countries, who dedicate enormous time, talent, and resources to supporting our work across the continent.”
Employment insecurity is a possible source of conflict and instability. This is why the work of JA Africa is so vital. Each JA student has the ability to hire and influence at least five of their classmates. The organization intends to use the Nobel Peace Prize nomination’s increased prominence to expand ties with governments and institutions across Africa, allowing it to reach and touch more people.
JA Africa already touches over 250,000 young per year and has set an ambitious aim to quadruple that effect to 500,000 by 2023 and quickly ramp up to reaching one million youth per year with its job preparation, financial literacy, and entrepreneurial training programs.
