The Institution for Domestic and International Affairs (IDIA), annually brings a delegation of undergraduate students to The Gambia for a unique purpose of extending ties with the Better Africa Youth Initiative (BAYI). Through interactive leadership development workshops, the programme embraces more than 100 students.

In an interview with Top Class, Aremu Akeem, director of programmes of BAYI, said that during the three-day workshop that they will organise, IDIA and BAYI facilitators will counsel Gambian high school students in developing their own voices, public speaking, self-awareness, and their commitment to education.

He then added that they will preach against youth materialism and channel the focus on essential ideals like education, morality and nation building.

They will, he noted, fight the ills of modern society, which affect young people such as HIV/AIDS, teenage pregnancy and drug abuse, violence, poverty and discrimination.

He further stated that they will use the opportunity to cause the policy makers to put forward initiatives that enhance the educational, health and social well-being of African young people, sensitize people on civics education and develop youth interest in political and current affairs, promote youth involvement in community development and leadership, and bridge the gap of ethnic, national, religious and language differences thereby causing African youths to realize that they are one people, with an intertwined destiny and fate.

He disclosed that the organisation works to strengthen the relationship between African youths through outreach communications, advocacy and other youth oriented initiatives, to accomplish and effectively undertake their responsibilities, noting that, they also work hand in glove with their youth coordinators to develop and implement projects and programs like seminars, workshops, sporting activities, debates, quiz competitions, camping, excursions, cultural and international exchange programmes which are educative and eye opening.

Mr Akeem indicated that their target groups are young people between the ages of 12-25 years, students, college and university graduates, school drop-outs, law enforcement agents, policy makers, parents and guardians. "BAYI in the execution of its duties works closely with school authorities, youth leaders, policy makers and our kind sponsors to ensure that our support and services reach our target groups,"  he said.

Come January 2009, he said, IDIA and BAYI partnership will expand to include American educators and the program will start with an opportunity for American teachers to travel to The Gambia to gain a better understanding of life in Africa. He added that these educators will meet with BAYI members to learn about the civil service sector in the Gambia, while participating in teacher professional development programs.

IDIA and BAYI have also developed unique partnerships with Gambian schools, affording providing teachers the chance not only to observe Gambian classrooms in session, but also to teach in those very classrooms rather than limit their understanding of African education to what they have read in textbooks and news accounts.

Resolutely determined to stengthen the relationship between, the two organisations, he revealed that IDIA's relationship with Gambian schools will give teachers a unique opportunity to teach and learn from their Gambian counterparts. IDIA is a registered provider of professional development in the state of New Jersey, and teachers will receive credit for their active participation in this program.

Upon the completion of the teacher's program, he emphasized, a group of undergraduates will arrive in The Gambia to run leadership development workshops and to learn about West African education, culture, and society.

"Drawing upon two successful programs, IDIA and BAYI will move from urban Banjul to a more rural area, offering participants the chance not only to experience the busy lifestyle of the capital, but also the more relaxed inland zone" he concluded.