Empowering young Entrepreneurs - MCAA Magazine News January 2021
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Passionate about sport, Christina Makoundou is currently working in Bologna on a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) project that aims to develop sustainable, accessible, safe, resilient and smart urban pavements. With her, we talked about the role of youth in creating a more diverse world and about the importance of solidarity through #Blackunity.
Christina, in her own words
I am Christina Makoundou, a French PhD fellow working in Italy, in collaboration with Swedish institutions. I graduated from Sorbonne University (Material Chemistry) in 2018, and I had the chance to join the University of Bologna as the youngest early-stage researcher part of the Horizon 2020 – Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions “SAFERUP” project (Sustainable, Accessible, Safe, Resilient and Smart Urban Pavements).
In addition to science, I am incredibly passionate by sport, either as a player or instructor. Besides, I was lucky enough to live my passion in the framework of international or young exchanges and volunteering projects around the world.
Short, general-public-adapted speech is the form of communication I love to use while sharing my research’s work. I am proud of my multidisciplinary background linking chemistry, materials sciences and high-level sport skills.
As a PhD student, I am currently working on the following question: Can roads be made of recycled materials and save lives at the same time? My project encompasses various aspects like reactions or materials, people and their safety, along with the future of our environment. This project is a part of my life goal aiming to find a solution to tackle today’s problems, to make the future better for all.
"I have an incredible chance to have a double culture. This opened me to the world at a very young age."
Christina believes in the positive impact that youth can have on the world no matter from where they are from. Involved in various volunteering activities, she is continuously looking for opportunities to meet her peers and, above all, to learn. “I am extremely active as an international volunteer in the framework of sports events, European solidarity corps, European voluntary service, etc. During these volunteering activities, I have met amazing young people from several continents,” she says.
ONE YOUNG WORLD SUMMIT
She recently became aware of the One Young World Summit whose purpose is to identify, promote and connect the world’s most impactful young leaders to create a better world, with more responsible and effective leadership. Christina is looking forward to participating in this summit hopefully in 2022. “I follow the event communications and the discussions they propose very closely. I really would like to attend this summit one day and to meet brilliant individuals from everywhere. I can say that my position as an MSCA fellow now allows me to meet international researchers, inspirational people,” adds Christina with enthusiasm.
While waiting for the summit, our fellow had the opportunity to attend a discussion led by the One Young World Africa network/community: “The objective of the discussion was to point out some problems linked to the history mainly, and to enhance the entrepreneurship behaviour of the young generation, to be aware of their capabilities and to empower the ideas or projects coming for Africans or African descendants,” explains Christina.
Should the concept of #Blackunity (and #Unity) appear as a solution to tackle systemic racism and inequalities? “I think we reach the point where we should not differentiate people because of borders. If we aim to work together, everyone is a strength, no matter if the person is based in Nigeria, Canada, Brazil, Spain, New Zealand or Japan. I think the #Blackunity and the unity, in general, is the definition of this state of mind,” answers our fellow.
INSPIRATION
Rooted in a “double culture” (from France, the country where she was born and raised, and from the country where her parents were born), Christina considers this situation as an advantage and a pride: “I have an incredible chance to have a “double culture”. This opened me to the world at a very youthful age.”
Among others, Christina’s inspirations come from black or African entrepreneurs.
BLACK OR AFRICAN ENTREPRENEURS WHO INSPIRE ME
Moussa CAMARA, Founder and President of «Les Déterminés», which aims to help and support people with entrepreneurship/professional projects.
Marie DASYLVA, Founder of Nkaliworks, an empowerment/ coaching agency supporting the victims of discrimination, microaggressions or even denial of skills.
Thione NIANG, Founder and CEO of GIVE1PROJECT and JeufZone Farms, diplomat, lecturer and social entrepreneur. He notably worked with Barack Obama when he was president and received several awards.
Gloria ADE and Gipsy ILUNGA, Co-founders and CEOs of Japade&co, a cooperative working with small producers and labs in Africa.
Denis MUKWEGE, Gynaecologist, Founder of the Panzi Foundation and Mukwege Foundation. He received in 2019 the Nobel Peace Prize for his effort and action against wartime sexual violence.
Fatoumata KEBE, Astrophysicist and educator specialising in space debris and author of the book La lune est un roman (The moon is a novel). She was a student at Sorbonne University.
What’s more, Christina is pleased to share with us the list of the 100 most influential young Africans that was released on 4 November 2020.
EMPOWERING IS KEY
According to Christina, empowering young, female, African and black entrepreneurs is vital in enhancing diversity. This should be done by highlighting and contributing to the discussions to praise the numerous initiatives they launch. She mentions, amongst other actions, Afrogenius, which aims to spread scientific knowledge and the Instagram account tous.afro, whose purpose is to raise awareness about African traditions, cultures, and languages.
Christina highlights how important it is to recognise the work done by African and black entrepreneurs and gives a few tips on how to impact diversity positively: “Consider black people when they apply to grants, scholarships, positions, consider their education, let them express themselves when they are and feel concerned.” Moreover, “Don’t / never hide negative/harmful/toxic behaviours behind humour or habits/usual practices” she adds.
“The world of tomorrow starts today, and no matter our skin colour, our citizenship, our field, we should all be actors of positive change”.
MCAA Editorial Team
