soleRebels founder to speak on African growth and youth economic opportunity

Washington DC / Addis Ababa, Sept 3, 2011
soleRebels founder and 2011 World Economic Forum Young Global Leader Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu has been invited to address the World Bank and IMF’s upcoming Annual meeting held September 23rd-25th in Washington DC.

On September 24 Bethlehem will address a panel titled Africa Needs Growth That Delivers Jobs that will look at sustainable ways to create jobs , especially for Africa’s growing youth populations.

World Bank Vice President Obiageli Ezekwesili believed that bethlehem’s proven track as a successful global entrepreneur gave her a very unique position to address the bodies on the issue of African growth and job creation. “This is one of the key panels at this annual meeting and we wanted a very dynamic young African entrepreneur who HAS created jobs herself to give a real time business perspective. Bethlehem was top of our list! Her participation will inform the critical debate on inclusive growth in Africa and provide key insights for policy makers, development partners and other participants. We are very excited to have her participating.”

Bethlehem will present her views on youth job creation, with a specific focus on how her experiences in creating over 75 full time and 120 part time jobs while simultaneously building Africa’s fastest growing global footwear brand can inform other strategies for youth job growth across Africa.

“I am honored that the Vice President has thought to include me in these critical discussions that will impact on African growth, in particular job opportunities for the youth. As a young entrepreneur myself whose FOUNDING aim was to create a world class brand AND great community based jobs, I am very excited to be able to share my experiences in hopes of catalyzing greater youth employment opportunities around the continent., ” stated Bethlehem.

The 2011 World Bank-IMF Annual Meetings kick off in September. The shareholders of the two institutions and other attendees will participate in a full slate of pre-meeting seminars, and briefings focused on the global outlook and economic recovery.

The Annual Meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) each year bring together central bankers, ministers of finance and development, private sector executives, and academics to discuss issues of global concern, including the world economic outlook, poverty eradication, economic development, and aid effectiveness.