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Home DIHAD Conference: SPARK CEO advocates for inclusion of youth and early economic resilience building in crisis

May 1, 2024

DIHAD Conference: SPARK CEO advocates for inclusion of youth and early economic resilience building in crisis

SPARK’s CEO, Simon van Melick, took to the stage last week at the prestigious Dubai International Humanitarian Aid & Development (DIHAD) conference to underscore the critical role of youth in economic development, particularly in regions affected by conflict and crisis.

The DIHAD conference, which for 20 years has been connecting international organisations, NGOs, governmental bodies, foundations, charities, academia and the private sector, to discuss the world’s most important humanitarian issues.

His Excellency, Ambassador Gerhard Putman-Cramer, the Chief Executive Officer, DIHAD Sustainable Humanitarian Foundation opened the 20th anniversary of the conference on Tuesday 23rd April, 2024 by outlining the theme of this year’s event: “Humanitarian Diplomacy and a Journey to the Future”.

Youth as a Catalyst for Economic Recovery

On the third day of the conference, Simon van Melick, CEO of SPARK, took to the stage to emphasise the importance of empowering young entrepreneurs to become early catalysts for economic recovery in their communities, and to advocate for greater collaboration between humanitarian and development organisations in crisis-affected areas. 

He shared the inspiring journey of Mahmud Johnson, founder of J-Palm, an organic palm oil processing company with a no-waste policy. The company, which has become one of the most successful startups in post-conflict Liberia, was initially supported by SPARK with training and access to finance. J-Palm has flourished into a major employer and Mahmud has used his position in business to advocate for more investment in rural areas, working with the government to prioritise the use of local resources to produce final products, rather than relying on imports, for example.

Mahmud Johnson, Founder and CEO of J-Palm in Liberia, was supported by SPARK to startup his company over 10 years ago

“Empowering young entrepreneurs like Mahmud is paramount to building resilient societies,” remarked Simon van Melick. “By investing in youth, we invest in the future,” he went on. “At SPARK, we are committed to creating pathways for young people to gain valuable skills, access employment, and become change agents in their societies.”

Reflecting on SPARK’s impact, van Melick highlighted the organisation’s focus on measurable outcomes. “Our programmes have empowered thousands of young entrepreneurs and created sustainable change in post-conflict areas,” he affirmed.

He stressed the need for collaboration and innovation in addressing global challenges. “DIHAD provides a platform for like-minded organisations to come together, share ideas, and amplify our impact.”

As the conference concluded, SPARK remains dedicated to advancing youth empowerment and economic resilience, and inclusive development worldwide. 

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