Code Zone Diversity & Inclusion edition, aimed at empowering teens and preteens with essential tech skills, successfully concluded its 6th edition on August 30, 2024. This year’s program themed “Diversity & Inclusion,” brought together a diverse group of young participants to learn focusing on creating an inclusive environment where participants can learn, problem-solving, critical thinking and digital creativity through learning. Held from August 1 to August 30, Code Zone 2024 attracted numerous participants, aged 10 to 18, who engaged in a month of hands-on training in HTML CSS, JavaScript, Data Analytics, UIUX. The focus on diversity and inclusion allowed the participants to gain a broader understanding of how technology can be used to solve real-world challenges while bringing people together.

‘The goal of this year’s program was to not only build technical skills but also to promote the awareness of social issues, encouraging the youths to appreciate the value of diversity and a positive disposition to others that are different’ said Mrs Olufunke Akinloye Founder Code Zone for Teens & Pre-Teens. She further said ‘While last year we focused on sustainability, this year we are joining the rest of the world to increase awareness on Diversity and Inclusion with our focus being on People Living With Disability, narrowing it further to Autism’. Within the one-month program this year, Mrs Ifueko Karibi-Whyte, Founder, Autism Mothers in Nigeria Foundation, made out time to educate the participants on all they need to know about Autism & how to relate with them. in her words ‘Everyone is different, when you see People Living with Disability, be kind to them, help them if you can’ said Ifueko. you can catch up with the session here 

The participants learnt from experts building, interacting and creating amazing stuff that align with their areas of interest. Code Zone 2024 had daily learning interactive sessions with tech professionals, and individual projects designed to foster creativity which was presented on the final day, critical thinking, and collaboration.

During the presentation Mrs. Olabisi Bakare, a parent applauded the initiative, she acknowledged how much knowledge her daughter had acquired within the 1 month of the program considering she knew next to nothing about coding before joining the program. Another parent, Mr. Bayo Olabisi, who had 2 of his children in the program, remarked that he was blown away by the different presentations shared by the participants. He admonished all the participants to build on what they have learnt in order to be relevant for the future they are growing into.

As Code Zone continues to grow, the organizers are committed to further expanding the program’s reach to ensure more young people have access to technology education ensuring they are equipped with technical and social skills in all programs. Plans are already underway for the next edition of Code Zone, with an exciting new theme that will continue to push the boundaries of what young learners can achieve in the tech space.

Thanks to all the publications that have given us mentions such as The Business NG, Integrity News, Event Diary, This is Lagos, Tech News 247 . We have great testimonials from parents, participants old & new, see previous editions on the blog

For more information about Code Zone and upcoming programs, please us at info@emeraldzone.com.ng Code Zone is an annual coding bootcamp designed to introduce teens and preteens to the world of technology. Through interactive lessons, hands-on projects, and mentorship, Code Zone aims to empower young people with essential tech skills while fostering a collaborative, inclusive learning environment.