Investing in the Future: The Girl Child as a Catalyst for Sustainable Development

10 March, 2025, New York, USA.

On 10 March 2025, the I.B. Taylor-Kamara Foundation will co-organize a side event discussion during the sixty-ninth session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) in New York City.

This session at CSW69 recognizes the urgent need to dismantle barriers that continue to hold women and girls back. While celebrating progress since the Beijing Declaration, it will confront ongoing challenges such as inequality, discrimination, and the impact of global crises, which hinder gender equality and sustainable development.

The panel will focus on practical, collaborative, and scalable solutions, highlighting successful approaches and strategies that drive real change. Through meaningful dialogue, participants will explore ways to accelerate progress and build a more equitable, inclusive future.

14 March, 2025, New York, USA. 

During CSW69 in New York City, the I.B. Taylor-Kamara Foundation will co-organize the 2025 Beyond Beijing 30 Summit, celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. In partnership with Sanicle, the Foundation will also support the NOVA Prize, which recognizes 30 visionary changemakers who have championed gender equality and systemic change. 

The summit will feature insightful panels, keynote addresses, and cultural celebrations, bringing together leaders, innovators, and advocates committed to advancing gender equity. As part of its commitment, IBTK Foundation will sponsor and lead the panel discussion: Shaping the Next-Generation Workforce: Celebrating 30 Years of the Beijing Declaration. This session will explore how leaders, innovators, and visionaries can foster a culture of experimentation, empathy, and collaboration to drive transformational change. 

Additionally, the event will honor 20 trailblazing women and 10 HeForShe champions whose contributions embody progress and inclusivity. The session will offer actionable insights to strengthen partnerships between governments, international organizations, and local communities, ensuring the momentum for gender equality continues into the future.

The Global Youth Summit on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

Action for the Summit of the Future, 30 September, 2024, New York, USA.

 On September 17, 2024, the Global Youth Summit on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Action for the Summit of the Future convened at 866 United Nations Plaza, New York City. This transformative event brought together youth leaders, diplomats, and civil society representatives to engage in meaningful discussions on advancing the SDGs and tackling pressing global challenges.

Co-hosted by the Youth Association in Sierra Leone (YASIL), West African Women and Girls Empowerment-Sierra Leone (WAWGE-SL), and the I.B. Taylor-Kamara Foundation, the summit provided a dynamic platform for young voices to influence  global decision-making.

The event was a landmark opportunity for participants to collaborate, share innovative ideas, and shape actionable outcomes in preparation for the Summit of the Future. Through robust dialogue and partnerships, the summit underscored the critical role of youth in driving sustainable development and global progress.

International Youth Conference (IYC9), 30 May-2 June 2024

Los Angeles, California, USA

From May 30 to June 2, 2024, the 9th International Youth Conference (IYC9) brought together inspiring minds at the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs in Los Angeles. The I.B. Taylor-Kamara Foundation  played a pivotal role in the event, demonstrating its unwavering commitment to addressing Africa's challenges and opportunities while empowering young leaders worldwide.

The highlight of IBTK’s participation was a dynamic session moderated by Abdoul Byukusenge, IBTK’s Chief Strategist, alongside Junisa Precious Gbeteh Kallon, Advisor on Strategic Partnerships at IBTK, and the Foundation's President and Executive Director, Hawa Taylor-Kamara Diallo. This engaging session fostered robust dialogue among youth experts, exploring critical issues related to Africa’s development and growth.

Through actionable discussions and innovative ideas, IBTK reinforced its mission to create sustainable solutions and elevate young leaders' voices in shaping Africa's future. The Foundation’s participation underscored its dedication to empowering communities and driving meaningful change on a global scale.

Youth Summit on Peace and Sustainable Future, Montpellier, France, July 22-26, 2024

IBTK's Leadership and Sponsorship Illuminate Youth-Driven Global Action

From 22 to July 26, 2024, the vibrant city of Montpellier became the epicenter of transformative dialogue and action as the Youth Summit on Peace and a Sustainable Future convened passionate young leaders from across the globe. This landmark gathering was not just another conference—it was a youth-led call to action aimed at addressing some of the world's most urgent challenges, including climate change, conflict resolution, and sustainable development.

 The I.B. Taylor-Kamara Foundation played a pivotal role in the success of this summit, demonstrating its unwavering commitment to empowering youth and fostering sustainable solutions. As a key sponsor, IBTK supported the participation of three exceptional young activists, fully covering their travel and accommodation expenses. These youth changemakers not only represented the Foundation but also brought valuable insights and actionable ideas to the table.

In alignment with the ongoing review of the Youth, Peace, and Security (YPS) resolution by the United Nations in 2025, the summit provided a timely platform to emphasize the critical role of young people in peacebuilding, conflict prevention, and sustainable development. 

Through panel discussions, interactive workshops, and strategy sessions, participants explored innovative approaches to advancing the pillars of the YPS agenda, including participation, protection, prevention, partnerships, and reintegration.

IBTK’s leadership extended beyond sponsorship. The Foundation's Chief Strategist, Abdoul Byukusenge, moderated a high-level panel discussion featuring diplomats and civil society leaders from Uganda, Sierra Leone, and Serbia, fostering dialogue on the intersection of youth leadership, peace, and environmental sustainability.

The Youth Summit on Peace and a Sustainable Future underscored the need for meaningful youth engagement in shaping global policies and solutions. It also reinforced IBTK’s mission to amplify the voices of young leaders, enabling them to act as catalysts for global change.

Black Is Tech Conference 2024, Houston, Texas, August 19 to 21, 2024

From August 19 to 21, 2024, the I.B. Taylor-Kamara Foundation (IBTK) team attended the 6th Annual Black Is Tech Conference in Houston, Texas, to explore the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in both private and public sectors. This immersive event provided a unique opportunity for IBTK’s leadership—including the President, Executive Director, to gain insights into cutting-edge AI advancements and their applications in advancing education and maternal health across Africa.

The Black Is Tech Conference, a centerpiece of the broader Houston Black Is Tech Week (August 19–24), brought together thousands of Black tech professionals for three days of inspiration and innovation. Featuring over 150 speakers, five specialized tracks, and an expo showcasing more than 50 companies, the event offered a deep dive into technology, career development, and industry trends. With 6,000 in-person attendees and a total of 10,000 participants throughout the week, it was a vibrant hub for connection and discovery.

IBTK Foundation made a significant impact, with key team members—Abdoul Byukusenge (Chief Strategist), Chaste Inegbedion (Chief Period Officer of Sanicle), and the IBTK President and Executive Director—fully sponsored to attend. Their presence underscored the foundation’s unwavering commitment to leveraging technology for education, empowerment, and sustainable progress, particularly for African youth and women.

A standout moment came during the Fireside Chat on August 21, where the IBTK Foundation's President, Mrs. Hawa Taylor-Kamara Diallo, joined industry leaders to discuss the future of AI and machine learning in education and healthcare. 

Drawing on her United Nations experience, she highlighted how these technologies can accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 4: Quality Education. The conversation also spotlighted initiatives by companies like IBM to broaden technology access in developing regions—areas where IBTK is deeply engaged.

The foundation’s participation in Black Is Tech 2024 amplified its mission to empower underserved communities through innovation. By bridging technology and opportunity, IBTK continues to drive sustainable global change, ensuring that advancements like AI benefit those who need them most.