U2 lead singer and activist Bono says the world is witnessing the dawn of the "Africa Decade."

On the eve of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, we asked six YouthActionNet® Fellows if they agree and, if so, how their social change work is contributing to a larger story unfolding across the continent.

There are many reasons to be hopeful about the future of Africa according to U2 lead singer and activist Bono. "Partnerships between the private sector and civil society are redefining the rules of the African game" while striking out against poor governance, he recently wrote in a New York Times op-ed ("Africa Reboots," April 18, 2010). "The old, dumb, only-game-in-town aid" is being replaced by a newer, smarter "aid that aims to put itself out of business in a generation or two," he writes.

We asked a handful of YouthActionNet® Fellows - in and outside Africa - if they agree with Bono that the world is poised at the threshold of the "Africa Decade."

For Joe Agoada, 24, founder of the Two Wheeled Foundation, the 2010 World Cup offers a potent opportunity to celebrate the role of innovative technology in promoting sustainable development in Africa - and contributing to the Millennium Development Goals. To leverage the energy surrounding the event, Joe teamed up with young African social entrepreneurs in launching the Kampala 2 Cape Town project. The project will begin by offering vulnerable youth in Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, and Zambia a safe, community-friendly space for watching the World Cup on giant inflatable screens.

"The driving force behind the Kampala 2 Cape Town project is a desire to destroy the dominant Western narrative that Africa is a 'Third World' in need of charity and financial aid from developed countries to bring an end of poverty," says Joe. "The road show will demonstrate an alternative development path based on using innovative twenty-first century technologies to create income-generating social enterprises."

According to Donald Bodzo, 25, lasting change in Africa must begin with a change in mindset - from pessimism to possibility. Donald started c-Manure Technology in Zimbabwe to provide farmers with a low-cost means of increasing their agricultural output - and incomes. Before he could begin, Donald needed to convince rural communities that change was possible. One of Africa's greatest hopes lies in supporting the work of young entrepreneurs, writes Donald in his blog.

Similarly, Bright Simons, 27, co-founder of mPedigree, a mobile phone-based drug authentication system in Ghana, sees a combination of technological innovation and entrepreneurship changing the face of Africa. "The wisdom which consigned Africa to a perpetual charity case is showing its frayed bottom, and soon shall be exposed as charlantry," he writes. "There is change in the air, here agriculture, there industry. It is the 'Africa Decade' alright."

American Sarah Koch, 26, has worked in Africa for five years - first as a Peace Corps volunteer in Senegal and now as co-founder of Development in Gardening, which teaches HIV-infected and other at-risk individuals to create self-sustaining community gardens. "There's something about Africa that grabs you," she writes pointing to people's connection to the earth and the value accorded family and community. A new era of philanthropy has emerged, she adds, that's less about charity and more about connecting with others in meaningful ways and in support of sustainable solutions.

Elsewhere, outside the continent, youth observers say that change must begin with recognizing the injustices of the past and cherishing the rich contributions of Africa to a shared global culture.

In his blog, Simón Menéndez Sadornil, 28, describes his work through Hechos to support and advocate for young African immigrants to Spain. For a new era to blossom on the continent, justice, not charity, must prevail, he writes. Citing activists such as Dambiso Moyo, John Githongo, and Mo lbrahim, Simon sees powerful new voices emerging whose message of positive change is getting through.

João Victor Pellegrini do Nascimento, 24, founder of Treme Terra in Brazil, agrees. Treme Terra celebrates the contributions of African-Brazilian culture while seeking to overcome the prejudice and injustice that persists. "Long live diversity!" he writes.

In honoring the role of today's young leaders, we celebrate the following YouthActionNet® Fellows who are contributing to a bold new era in Africa: 

Stella Amojong, founder, GEMINI, Kenya

Dorothy Atieno, founder, Tunaweza - Street Children Feeding

Tal Dehtiar, founder, MBAs Without Borders; founder, Oliberte, Canada

Emmanuel Dolo, founder/director, Population Caring Organization, Ghana

Antoine Eloi, co-founder, Leadership Initiatives, USA

Kingsley Essomeonu, founder, Society of Adolescents and Youth Health International, Nigeria

Muktar Gadanya, founder, Aiding Aged HIV/AIDS Orphans, Nigeria

Nnaemeka Ikegwuonu, founder, Smallholders Farmers Rural Radio, Nigeria

Naadiya Moosajee, founder, SAWomEng, South Africa

Jack Bbabbie Mukulu, founder, Family-in-Need Trust, Zimbabwe

Rachel Nampinga, EcoWatch, Uganda

Gertrude Namuwonge, founder, Masaka Reflexology Center, Uganda

Daniel Nduati, founder, Emmanuel Boyz Rescue Center, Kenya

Ainos Ngadya, founder, SOYABIZ, Zimbabwe

Joseph Kimani Njuguna, founder, National Student Council for Peace; program manager, Africa Youth Trust, Kenya

Abdinasir Nur, founder, Somali Youth for Peace and Development, Somalia

Emmanuel Odiase, founder, Smoke Free Nigeria Initiative

Joy Olivier, founder, Ikamva Youth, South Africa

George Onyango, founder, Slums Information Development and Resources Centres, Kenya

Fredrick Ouku, founder, Action Network for the Disabled, Kenya

Sphamandia Trevor Mzobe, founder, Wala-Wala Productions, South Africa

Okolie Ugochukwu, founder, Youth Leadership for Health, Nigeria

Zablon Wagalla, founder, Trees for Clean Energy, Kenya