Youth unemployment is high, and social engagement low. The institutions that we trust to educate our future leaders are often graduating people with irrelevant skill sets and massive debt. This talk examines a potential solution to aspects of these intractable problems - starting your own university.

John has been working in West Africa for a decade. He was a chef, when at 21 he discovered his purpose for alleviating poverty by cooking for the homeless people of Los Angeles. John went on to pursue studies in development at the American University of Paris, National University of Singapore, SciencesPo and Pepperdine. He co-founded the Open University of West Africa and Impact Hub Accra. He is a Global Shaper at the World Economic Forum, a Fellow at Power of Youth and an Ambassador for the 1/000 Network.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx