Dakar — Many voices, including that of the African continent's young people, are being heard at the ongoing 11th Edition of the World Social Forum (WSF) in Dakar, Senegal.

The young people are demanding from the authorities that their voices not be only heard, but also considered. At a session organised by the Network of African Youth for Development as a side event at the Sheikh Anta Jobe University on Wednesday, the young people spoke volumes about the horrific situation they always encounter. On Tuesday, a woman from Greece could not help crying as she tried to fight back tears while listening to tales of ordeal by one Omar Jawo about difficulties faced by African migrants, who are mainly young people in foreign lands.

Jawo narrated tales of torture, deprivation and sometimes sub-human treatment migrants are made to face in their struggle for a better life. Albert Joe S Bangay, coordinator of the Network of African Youth Gambia chapter said he believes that despite the challenges faced by the African content, it still reserves unique opportunities.

To address the problem of African young people, a frank and open method of orientation must be applied with dialogue, which will help people renew their efforts in reuniting the continent. Bangay made it categorically clear at the platform that sometimes negative actions of young people are not intentions to stop the future and that they at the Network wanted to shape an ingenious future for young people. "We want to be role models [and] bring miracles in the lives of others each day".

Gambia's Halifa Sallah also addressed the young people and advised them to be proactive and focused in life.