UDEC Official

🌟 UDEC NGO – Empowering Youth, Building Purposeful Leaders 🌟
Youth Needs Your Voice Program – Season 2
Report

📅 Date: Tuesday, February 3rd, 2026
⏰ Time: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
📍 Venue: American Corner – University of Parakou
🎙 Host: Coach Abdou Wahaed SIME
🎖 Guest of Honor: Professor Mohamed Nasser BACO, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for University Research/University of Parakou

🌈 Topic of the Day
“Your Journey Begins Today, Trust the Process”

On Tuesday, February 3rd, 2026, UDEC NGO successfully held the second session of the Youth Needs Your Voice Program under its Personal Development and Youth Empowerment Initiative at the American Corner.

This impactful session brought together students and young leaders eager to learn, grow, and redefine their personal and professional paths. The event was honored by the distinguished presence of Prof Mohamed Nasser BACO, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for University Research of the University of Parakou, whose journey and insights deeply resonated with participants.

The session was officially opened by Coach Abdou Wahaed SIME, who set the tone by emphasizing UDEC NGO’s mission: empowering youth to take responsibility for their lives, develop resilience, and lead with purpose.

🎯 Objective of the Session

The session aimed to:
✔ inspire young people through real-life leadership experience
✔ reinforce self-esteem, discipline, and personal responsibility
✔ demonstrate that success is built through patience, consistency, and intentional choices

🔹 Keynote Intervention — Mr. Mohamed Nasser BACO

Through a powerful and authentic sharing of his personal and professional journey, Mr. BACO reminded participants that every life-changing achievement begins with a single conscious decision.

🗣 “When you know that a choice is forever, you must do it well.”

Participants explored how one decision, when supported by discipline and responsibility, can redefine an entire life trajectory.

🔹 Core Lessons & Takeaways

During the session, participants gained valuable insights on:

Personal Responsibility
Taking full ownership of academic, professional, and life choices.

Discipline Over Motivation
Understanding discipline as a lifestyle, not a temporary emotion.

Trusting the Process
Recognizing failure as a lesson and growth as a gradual journey.

Pressure Management
Setting clear goals, planning effectively, and prioritizing wisely.

Leadership Through Service
Redefining leadership as kindness, service, and positive social impact.

Interactive Q&A Dialogue and Reflection

The session concluded with a dynamic Q&A segment, during which participants raised thoughtful questions related to:
• motivation and consistency
• social and parental pressure
• decision-making
• balancing personal growth with academic life

The exchange fostered openness, clarity, and actionable reflection.

Closing Remarks

The event officially closed with inspiring final words from Prof Mohamed Nasser BACO, followed by words of appreciation and encouragement from Dr (MC) Azoua Mathias HONNOU, Coordinator of the American Corner.

✨ UDEC NGO – Youth Empowerment in Action

Once again, UDEC NGO reaffirmed its commitment to shaping responsible, resilient, and purpose-driven youth leaders, aligned with shared values of education, leadership, and community empowerment.

Drexel University
Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders
U.S. Embassy Cotonou

With Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders – I just got recognized as one of their top fans! 🎉

Glad to read this🤍

Salut à tous ♥️🙏

Hier, j'ai passé un super moment à American Corner Parakou ! J'ai encore eu l'occasion d'écouter des personnes inspirantes lors du "Youth needs voice program". C'était vraiment motivant ! Ça m'a encore donné un boost de confiance en moi, comme d'habitude 😊.

Un grand merci aux invités, notamment le professeur Mohamed Nasser Baco et à toute l'équipe d'American Corner sans oublier mon Coach Abdou Wahaed SIME pour cet excellent programme ! Vous faites un travail incroyable !

Tchoup-Tchoup 🙏♥️
Wahaed Sime UDEC Official American Corner Parakou

🌟 UDEC NGO: Empowering Youth Through Community 🌟
Personal Development & Youth Empowerment Program

Theme: “The Power of Belonging to a Community”
Date: Monday, January 20
Time: 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Venue: American Corner, University of Parakou

UDEC NGO successfully organized an impactful session of its Youth Empowerment and Personal Development Program at the American Corner of the University of Parakou. Facilitated by UDEC staff represented by Coach Wahaed, the session focused on helping young people understand that belonging to a community is a powerful driver of personal growth, identity, leadership, and collective impact.

🔹 Why “The Power of Belonging to a Community”?

In a world where many young people feel isolated or disconnected, the session highlighted a fundamental truth:

👉 “Growth is stronger when it is shared. A community is not just a group, it is a force.”

Participants were guided to see that communities offer more than social interaction; they provide support, opportunities, identity, and the strength to create change together. This theme strongly aligns with UDEC’s mission of building conscious, confident, and community-oriented youth leaders.

Some of the key Learning Pillars we’ve explored

Throughout the session, participants explored how a community can be a true lever for success through:

💙 Moral and emotional support – feeling understood, encouraged, and supported during both challenges and successes
🔥 Personal development – learning from others, being challenged, and growing together
🚀 Opportunities – networking, collaboration, mentorship, and doors that open through connection
💡 Identity and self-presentation – finding one’s place, affirming values, and building confidence
🌍 Collective impact – understanding that united actions create stronger and more sustainable change

Participants left with:

✔ a deeper understanding of the value of community
✔ renewed motivation to engage, contribute, and connect
✔ greater confidence in their identity and self-expression
✔ a strong sense of responsibility toward collective progress







Drexel University
U.S. Embassy Cotonou
Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders

🌟 UDEC NGO :Empowering Youth and Building the Future 🌟
Personal Development & Youth Empowerment Program

Theme: “Embracing Leadership”
Date: Tuesday: 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Venue: American Corner, University of Parakou

UDEC NGO successfully held another enriching session of its Youth Empowerment and Personal Development Program at the American Corner of the University of Parakou. Lead by UDEC staff represented by Coach Wahaed, this session aimed to help young participants understand that leadership is not an external title, it is a daily practice rooted in self-awareness, responsibility, and positive influence.

🔹 Why “Embracing Leadership”?🐉

Leadership is often associated with positions, authority, or age. Yet we reminded participants of a powerful truth:

👉 “Leadership begins within. It starts with your daily choices, your values, and the impact you create around you.”

The theme encouraged youth to redefine leadership through authenticity, initiative, and personal responsibility, perfectly aligned with UDEC’s mission of raising conscious, confident, and community-driven leaders.

🔹 A Dynamic and Interactive Session

The session unfolded in an open, energetic, and motivating atmosphere, combining learning, practice, and introspection.

Key highlights included:

💬 Interactive discussions, exploring what leadership looks like in real life
🧠 Introspection moments, identifying personal strengths, values, and leadership qualities
🗣️ Communication and posture exercises, reinforcing confidence and presence
🎭 Leadership simulations, encouraging initiative, decision-making, and influence

Students were highly engaged, showing curiosity, openness, and a genuine desire to grow. Many expressed that they now see leadership as something accessible, practical, and rooted in their everyday actions.

🔹 Impact

The session concluded with a powerful collective commitment:

👉 to learn, lead, and rise together.

Participants left with:

✔ a clearer understanding of their leadership potential
✔ renewed motivation to become positive role models
✔ the confidence to contribute meaningfully to their school, community, and future careers

The high level of participation and enthusiasm reflects the growing interest of Parakou’s youth in personal growth and community leadership.

🌍 UDEC’s Mission in Action

Through this session, UDEC NGO continues to:

✔ strengthen youth leadership capacities
✔ promote self-awareness and responsible citizenship
✔ encourage initiative, communication, and teamwork
✔ support educational and civic engagement in line with shared U.S.–Benin values

The “Embracing Leadership” session was a true success, reaffirming UDEC’s dedication to building a generation of empowered, visionary, and community-oriented young leaders.

Wahaed Sime



Drexel University
Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders