Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro to Empower Youth
Young people are the future and are fundamental to providing better societies.
The Kilimanjaro Initiative is an association formed to address the problems of youth in the urban areas of East Africa. It aims to do so by providing young people with opportunities that will enable them to take on a constructive role in their communities.
The Initiative, as its name indicates, is inspired by Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa and the highest free standing mountain in the world. Every year, the Kilimanjaro Initiative organizes an ascent of the giant sleeping volcano, bringing together youths and community stakeholders from around the world. The climbs are a way of raising awareness of some of the problems confronted by young people and to collect funds for community-based projects aimed at youth empowerment.
"The Kilimanjaro Initiative clearly exemplifies the positive effects of sport on individuals and society," Mr. Adolf Ogi, Special Advisor to the United Nations Secretary General on Sport for Development and Peace. Read Mr. Ogi's complete statement (pdf).