From September 20-23, 2019 Zagora will host the 3rd African Youth Leadership Summit (AYLS). Travelers can now trek to the Sahara for more than just a Desert Experience. The event entitled “The Future Is Now,” will bring together a carefully selected group of 120 Africa’s youth leaders to Morocco. The open platform aims to connect the young entrepreneurial leaders with a panel of distinguished experts and innovators in the public, private, and non-profit sectors. Together they will explore the challenges facing their generation on a local, national, and global level. Discussions will be centered around reducing poverty, gender equality, economic and work growth, sustainable cities & communities, climate action, peace, justice, and strong institutions. AYLS will also offer leadership training to mentor the participants and equip them with tools to make better decisions about their careers.
The first African Youth Leadership took place in Marrakech in September 2017 in collaboration HEM, a private business school in the Red City. The first conference brought together over 100 delegates from 23 countries. The opening panel took place at a gala dinner hosted at the Marrakech Royal Theater. It focused on “Africa in 2030 and the Role of Entrepreneurs.”
The 2019 Zagora Conference location will shine attention on the southern part of Morocco. Considered the Gateway to the Sahara, Zagora is one of the last stops before reaching the desert. It was once the stopping point for camel caravans on their way to Timbuktu. It is is located in the Draa Tafilalet region of southeastern Morocco. The area is home to fields of palm groves and over 30 varieties of dates.