Economically Sustainable Development Youth Essay Winners

These two articles were the second and third place winners in the Economically Sustainable Development category of CIPE's 2011 Youth Essay Contest.

Nigerian Youth and Sustainable Development by Babatunde Olandusu

Article at a glance:

• Sustainable development requires a buy-in from both governments and civil society actors to build sound institutions and create economic opportunities for all.
• Youth can help make development sustainable and home-grown by increasing focus on job creation instead of job seeking, encouraging local business, and investing in their communities.
• Nigerians—not international donors—are the best leaders of and investors in Nigeria’s economic, political, and social development.

Article at a glance:

• Despite its abundant natural resources, Nigeria has not developed well since the time of independence in 1960.
• Nigeria’s current state of affairs is a product of both the government and the citizens, and both parties must work together to resolve the country’s problems.
• The youth must demand and build a self-sustaining and locally-driven democracy and economy.