Conducted by the Guinean minister of youth, Mouctar Diallo along with DW journalists, the debate focused on preventing young people from joining the wave of migration leaving Sub-Saharan Africa. In a speech, Diallo appealed to parents not to give their children money so that they can leave the country

The work done by local media in cooperation with DW conveys an important message to young Africans that leaving home is not the only solution for the future. Dialogue, communication and sharing ideas can give young people hope that they are not alone in dealing with challenges.

The DW project, The 77 percent, focuses on a new generation of Africans, 77 percent of whom are under the age of 35. With web-videos, online projects and direct reporting from different regions in Africa, DW is trying to paint a picture of what life is like for African youth. In identifying the problems that many people share, solutions can become clearer.

Since 2016, DW, in cooperation with local media partners, has visited many communities in Sub-Saharan Africa to address the problem of mass-migration and listen to reasons why young Africans are leaving home.

The town hall debate in Mamou was conducted in cooperation with the German foreign ministry  and Radio Bolivar FM, and was one of the most successful events to date. More 77 percent debates are planned soon for Mali and Nigeria.

Shababtalk, DW’s talk show for Arab youth, was in Mauritania for a special co-production of Shababtalk on the road. The episode produced in cooperation with local broadcaster Sahel TV, focused on challenges being faced by young Mauritanians like joblessness, migration and political radicalization. Shababtalk on the road brings the discussion to the audience and gives a platform to young people across the Arab world to talk about issues affecting their lives.

DW has more partners in the Gambia after a successful fifth edition of the live debate format, The Migration Dilemma, in the capital Banjul. DW’s expanded cooperation with its event partners, which include Gambia’s only TV broadcaster, GRTS and the largest radio broadcaster Paradise FM. New DW partners in the Gambia include the country’s most popular social media sites Eye Africa and Fatu Network.

Awards

DW’s radio and podcast format, Living Planet, won an Association of International Broadcasting (AIB) award for the production “Road to renewables.” The jury said the show was a “must-listen” radio provided “deep insights into the challenges presented by climate change and renewable energy. The prize was awarded in the category, Continuing News Coverage –  Audio.

At the 19th Eyes and Ears awards, the trailer campaign for the DW Breaking World News App took first prize for the “Best On-air programming campaign: News & Information.”