They certainly will, trust me. Karma is a bitch!

YOUTH INTERNATIONAL SUMMER SCHOOL SHANGHAI 2018

Theme: THE SMART REVOLUTION: THE INTERCONNECTION BETWEEN CITY AND SOCIETY

The notion of a smart city is a well-developed narrative but what do we know about a smart society? As we approach the third decade of the 21st century, cities all over the world are harnessing the power that comes with huge technological advancements made over the past twenty years. By making our urban metropolises more efficient, we are truly on our way toward shaping a better world - but only if society is able and willing to keep up with the pace.

As infrastructure, education and businesses all adapt to the rapid changes taking place within our world, so must we as citizens. The smart revolution aims to optimize the performance and wellbeing of society, but technology can only do so much. In order to reach unprecedented heights, we must first begin by changing the minds and values of the architects of our new world. The International Summer School aims to discuss and examine the idea that in order to make our cities truly smart, we must start by developing a smart society.

Set in the technological hub of Shanghai, China, the International Summer School is designed to foster leadership, human values and a sense of social responsibility. Through a harmonious combination of educational and cultural exchange programs, participants will leave the event feeling empowered and inspired to generate positive change within their communities. A series of informative keynotes, case studies and highly-interactive workshops will help attendees to gain insight on the different strategies and technologies used in the development and transformation of smart cities and societies. Participants will also be encouraged to consider their own roles and responsibilities in regard to the sustainable future of the planet.

ELIGIBILITY:
• Young people ranging in age from 18 to 35 years old;
• Evidence of strong social responsibility and commitment;
• Preferred backgrounds to include social and business enterprises, non-profits, social activists, artists, educators, young researchers, scholars and students;
• Fluency in English required – working language of event.

In order to apply, applicants should fill in the application form whereby they will attach their CV and one-minute, motivational video.

BENEFITS:
The program is partially funded. Program, informal activities, food and accommodation will be covered by organizers. Participants are responsible for their visa and travel expenses. The participation fee is 150 EUR.


For more information, visit event’s official website chinasummerschool.youth-time.org.

For more specific information, please mail to summer-school@youth-time.org.

http://www.youth-time.org/

YOUTH INTERNATIONAL SUMMER SCHOOL SHANGHAI 2018

Theme: THE SMART REVOLUTION: THE INTERCONNECTION BETWEEN CITY AND SOCIETY

The notion of a smart city is a well-developed narrative but what do we know about a smart society? As we approach the third decade of the 21st century, cities all over the world are harnessing the power that comes with huge technological advancements made over the past twenty years. By making our urban metropolises more efficient, we are truly on our way toward shaping a better world - but only if society is able and willing to keep up with the pace.

As infrastructure, education and businesses all adapt to the rapid changes taking place within our world, so must we as citizens. The smart revolution aims to optimize the performance and wellbeing of society, but technology can only do so much. In order to reach unprecedented heights, we must first begin by changing the minds and values of the architects of our new world. The International Summer School aims to discuss and examine the idea that in order to make our cities truly smart, we must start by developing a smart society.

Set in the technological hub of Shanghai, China, the International Summer School is designed to foster leadership, human values and a sense of social responsibility. Through a harmonious combination of educational and cultural exchange programs, participants will leave the event feeling empowered and inspired to generate positive change within their communities. A series of informative keynotes, case studies and highly-interactive workshops will help attendees to gain insight on the different strategies and technologies used in the development and transformation of smart cities and societies. Participants will also be encouraged to consider their own roles and responsibilities in regard to the sustainable future of the planet.

ELIGIBILITY:
• Young people ranging in age from 18 to 35 years old;
• Evidence of strong social responsibility and commitment;
• Preferred backgrounds to include social and business enterprises, non-profits, social activists, artists, educators, young researchers, scholars and students;
• Fluency in English required – working language of event.

In order to apply, applicants should fill in the application form whereby they will attach their CV and one-minute, motivational video.

BENEFITS:
The program is partially funded. Program, informal activities, food and accommodation will be covered by organizers. Participants are responsible for their visa and travel expenses. The participation fee is 150 EUR.


For more information, visit event’s official website chinasummerschool.youth-time.org.

For more specific information, please mail to summer-school@youth-time.org.

http://www.youth-time.org/

YOUTH INTERNATIONAL SUMMER SCHOOL SHANGHAI 2018

The notion of a smart city is a well-developed narrative but what do we know about a smart society? As we approach the third decade of the 21st century, cities all over the world are harnessing the power that comes with huge technological advancements made over the past twenty years. By making our urban metropolises more efficient, we are truly on our way toward shaping a better world - but only if society is able and willing to keep up with the pace.

As infrastructure, education and businesses all adapt to the rapid changes taking place within our world, so must we as citizens. The smart revolution aims to optimize the performance and wellbeing of society, but technology can only do so much. In order to reach unprecedented heights, we must first begin by changing the minds and values of the architects of our new world. The International Summer School aims to discuss and examine the idea that in order to make our cities truly smart, we must start by developing a smart society.

Set in the technological hub of Shanghai, China, the International Summer School is designed to foster leadership, human values and a sense of social responsibility. Through a harmonious combination of educational and cultural exchange programs, participants will leave the event feeling empowered and inspired to generate positive change within their communities. A series of informative keynotes, case studies and highly-interactive workshops will help attendees to gain insight on the different strategies and technologies used in the development and transformation of smart cities and societies. Participants will also be encouraged to consider their own roles and responsibilities in regard to the sustainable future of the planet.

ELIGIBILITY:
• Young people ranging in age from 18 to 35 years old;
• Evidence of strong social responsibility and commitment;
• Preferred backgrounds to include social and business enterprises, non-profits, social activists, artists, educators, young researchers, scholars and students;
• Fluency in English required – working language of event.

In order to apply, applicants should fill in the application form whereby they will attach their CV and one-minute, motivational video.

BENEFITS:
The program is partially funded. Program, informal activities, food and accommodation will be covered by organizers. Participants are responsible for their visa and travel expenses. The participation fee is 150 EUR.


For more information, visit event’s official website chinasummerschool.youth-time.org.

For more specific information, please mail to summer-school@youth-time.org.

http://www.youth-time.org/

THE DEBT NIGERIA OWES

Months have rolled by since the March 28 Presidential and National Assembly Polls in Nigeria – an election that took the world by a swoop of surprise indeed, unveiling God’s Divine Agenda for Nigeria, and proving yet again that God is God and no man – presiding over the affairs of men and doing that which pleases Him for our good. More revealing is the recurrent truth that God holds Nigeria dear to His heart, for the sake of His children who are Nigerians and/or living in Nigeria.

It is no news that months prior to the elections, apprehension was at its highest centigrade, worsened by several predictions by certain world powers, United States in particular, that Nigeria will erupt in a civil war and break from election and post-election crises in the year 2015. But who says a thing and expects it to come to pass when God commanded it not. These untoward predictions of doom and despicable drumbeats of war sent jitters down the spines of Nigerians and Africans, as the worst was expected in many quarters. All was set for the inescapable fall of the ‘Giant of Africa’.

One of several perceptions that fuelled the Western conviction and consequent prediction of ruin is that the continent of Africa is highly volatile – Nigeria taking a lead in political, religious and ethnic volatility and inflammability. Certainly, their dooms day predictions were bolstered by certain countries like Sudan that split up following fiery political lines which was akin to Nigeria’s. However, one thing these naysayers and doomsayers failed to grasp is that Nigeria thrives under the wakeful and watchful eyes of an Almighty God – the Grand Commander of the Universe (GCOU) and Governor General of All Nations (GGAN). Interestingly, Nigeria is God’s own country – the Israel of the African continent.

That the elections came and went, and absolute Peace, which flawed every human understanding, pervades the length and breadth of the country, brings to light the matchless truth that the only report that is of value and relevance in whatever sphere of life, is God’s and not man’s; however highly placed that man, group or nation is. So interesting it is that while nations predicted away falsely, acting god; while the wicked schemed day and night and; while the devil deployed to Nigeria, every weaponry in his arsenal from hell, God who seats in the Heavens laughed at them all. He sorely disappointed their plans, such that their hands could not perform their doomsday enterprise.

I recall to mind, the killer tension that erupted weeks prior to the elections especially with the postponement; the boiling polity in the face of hate campaigns and deadly scheming; the death scores counted by politicians and political parties; the war and counter war threats from the north and south geopolitical zones; the massive covert stockpiling of weapons for any eventuality; the bathed breath with which most Nigerians, home and abroad, anticipated the result and its consequent actions/reactions; and I surmise that of a truth, Nigeria could only have been spared by the mighty hand of God, sweeping the country safely ashore from the deadly ‘Red Sea’ that did threaten to sink it. Same untiring God whose mercy said NO to the hellish plague and noisome pestilence of Ebola virus in Nigeria and Africa.

What an awesome God that indeed answers prayers, as the church were in ceaseless prayers for peaceful elections – before, during and after. What a faithful God that indeed confirms the word of His servants – true men of God who prophesied and decreed absolute peace, regardless of the drumbeats of war, the grave forecasts and the lethal agenda of the pit of hell. What an omnipotent God that frustrates the tokens of liars and sends diviners mad. What an ever-timely, all-wise God who quelled the momentum-gathering storm generated by an ex-minister in the International Conference Centre (ICC) and used former President Goodluck Jonathan to place a timely call to President Muhammadu Buhari, averting the murky moment trouble hounds were impatiently waiting for and taking aback the ‘do or die’ denizens lurking around to unleash venom. Surely, no one can beat God to it. He is the master planner and wisest orchestrator – moving in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform.

As a country, we must therefore be careful to return all the glory to God, and no man. That we are not like Sudan, Libya or Somalia today after the elections; that we don’t have corpses and mangled bodies littered on our streets; that our eyes were spared the life-haunting gruesome and horrific sights of war like the movie, Hotel Rwanda; that we are not roosting in our villages for safety, hiding in holes or tagged refugees somewhere; that we still have a country called the Federal Republic of Nigeria with a president, legislature and other elected officials at various levels, is purely and entirely an act of God. Same way the end to the deadly Ebola scourge was utterly God’s handiwork and NOT the glory of Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu or the federal government.

Hence, we must not chide this fathomless and enormous acts of God in preserving our country and our lives. Sincerely, every Nigerian owes God a debt of gratitude, which only a few have paid; and for those who have paid theirs, Peace beyond human comprehension and Joy like a river will never depart from their lives.

Finally, it is pertinent to underscore that God’s divine purpose for Nigeria shall stand and no man, no group, no nation under heaven shall be able to disannul it. Also His divine thoughts for Nigeria shall surely come to pass, as is being seen, and a thousand devils from the pit of hell cannot undo it. God Bless Nigeria.

Dr. Eric; baeresi@gmail.com.