Most young people from Africa are asking a very important question: What will happen to the declaration that governments will adopt, and the action plans - after the summit in December?

The truth is that we have grown up reading brilliant documents that do not translate into action, but that may also explain why we're literally desperate to be involved in this WSIS process - so that we can be involved and set things straight, if only this once. The bottle-necks and frustrations we face each day, while striving to influence this process, speak for themselves.

But while looking forward to the implementation of recommendations by appropriate authorities, I believe the young people of Africa must rise to the challenge of weaving the New Africa, the Africa of our collective dreams: The Africa that is not only an active player in the global Information Society, but will also be innovative and remind everyone that the Pyramids of Egypt and other African wonders were not accidents – they are the products of deliberate efforts, and the proof of the strength in the African blood!

I have read, listened and seen the different attempts at bringing Africa to a place of Global relevance. It appears to me that the Intra-Digital Divide is getting even stronger than the Inter-Digital Divide. Or how do we explain the fact that we always see the same names on the Web, in Conference brochures, in news articles ... and in chat rooms! It appears that some of the Youth of Africa that should be tomorrow's leaders do not even know what to do! Some young Africans have never touched a computer! I think that my days, weeks and months of thinking have produced something; an idea I'm willing to share.

The few of us who have (one way or the other) been favoured to have access and knowledge should take it upon ourselves to climb the ladder whose rungs are Personal Development, Nation Building, Regional Cooperation and Global Participation. We should work hard at what we know best. Remember these words of a wise man, "I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have". Maybe while working hard, you may have more luck...

We should take it upon ourselves to work towards becoming ROLE MODELS to our colleagues and the younger ones. This way, every young African will be challenged to work harder than us, and that will promote a natural cycle of successful and socially responsible young people.

For example, I humbly spend almost all my "in-between" hours speaking (verbal, electronic, etc) to young people (some of them older than me) and the truth is that I've seen changes. I'm beginning to see more Nation Building conscious Nigerians, who care less about ME, but are more concerned about US.

I've said much...but people, we cannot keep talking and discussing and presenting papers, we need to get to work! Preach the gospel of ICT to that guy beside you, talk about Nation Building to those ladies in your class. Open your mouth and challenge every young person around you to build a life worthy of emulation. In doing so, we will discover that we've built a solid nation, and continent.

Build yourself, build those around you... and soon, you will discover that we have a strong network of knowledge-driven people. Make a decision to help someone understand ICTs better today ... Viva Africa! When Africa is strong, and other continets take their place, we can then have a truly inclusive global Information Society.

Thank you for listening to my thoughts, and for considering the need to have Africa look inwards and discover that the baton of action is Back to Africa.