About the Conference
This is the second African Philanthropy Conference held under the banner of The Centre on African Philanthropy and Social Investment (CAPSI) in collaboration with the Africa Philanthropy Forum (APF), African Philanthropy Network (APN), East Africa Philanthropy Network (EAPN), Southern Africa Trust, Harvard Center for African Studies and TrustAfrica. The first conference took place in 2019 and was a success leading to partners agreeing to hold one every year. The COVID-19 pandemic however happened and all plans for 2020 were aborted. The world has changed since March 2020. Life, as we know it, has changed; work models have shifted; economies have shrunk, and livelihoods have been severely affected. The devastation by the pandemic is immeasurable, yet amid this, the world of philanthropy has also witnessed huge amounts of giving in-kind and cash. Communities, individuals, corporates and various forms of philanthropic organizations have all responded to the pandemic and addressed the negative effects of COVID-19.
The Conference is an opportunity for everyone involved to celebrate African philanthropy and the many stories of resilience; showcase various innovations and creative responses; assess the impact and begin to make sense of the world with and beyond COVID-19. There are three main themes that the Conference will unpack in seeking to understand philanthropy in the context of the pandemic. The first is ‘Celebrating African Philanthropy’. The second is a focus on ‘Systems change, Virtual platforms and Technology’. The third relates to ‘Uniting Africa’. All three themes are timely and relevant for the current moment but also for building forward better.
Keynote Speakers
Programme and logistics
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 travel restrictions, the conference will be held virtually. Participants will be able to dial in through the online platform provided.
Thursday 5 August
It is a dream of the African Union and its founding fathers such as Kwame Nkrumah to see a united Africa with free movement of goods and people. Now more than ever, Africa is steadily making progress towards realizing this vision with the new AfCFTA agreement and active youth who are pushing this agenda. This session will deliberate on opportunities to unite the continent through the vaccine rollouts, youth engagement and identify areas where African philanthropy can play a role.
| Time | Topic | Speakers | Registration Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13h00 | One Africa – opportunities for uniting the continent and philanthropy | Chidi Anselm Odinkalu – Open Society Justice Initiative | Register |
| Keynote address and panel discussion | Dr John Nkengansong – African Union, Africa CDC | ||
| Moderator: Chidi Anselm Odinkalu – Open Society Justice Initiative | |||
| Ebrima Sall – TrustAfrica | |||
| Joseph Asunka – Afrobarometer | |||
| Kennedy Odede – Shining Hope for Communities (SHOFCO) | |||
| Souad Aden Osman – Coalition for Dialogue on Africa (CoDA) | |||
| 15h00 | Parallel session – COVID-19 Vaccine rollouts – philanthropy opportunities for unity | Moderator: Shabir Madhi – Vaccines & Infectious Diseases Analytics Research Unit (Wits-VIDA) | Register |
| As the numbers of COVID-19 cases increased speedily across Africa, the acquisition and rollout of vaccines is at a snail’s pace. Vaccinations have picked up across the continent amid apathy. What role can philanthropy play in mobilising communities to vaccinate, procure and rollout vaccines? | Richard Mihigo – Immunization and Vaccine Development, WHO Africa Regional Office | ||
| Helen Rees – South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA); and Wits University RHI | |||
| Solomon Zwedu – Global Development, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation | |||
| 15h00 | Parallel session – Opportunities for youth engagement to unite the continent | Moderator: MacDonald Munyoro – SAYoF-SADC | Register |
| Crises provide opportunities to do things differently. COVID-19 is an opportunity for young people across Africa to unite in one voice and build the ‘Africa’ they want-a a continent always ready to respond to challenges, including the net potential pandemic. | John Mayok – East Africa: South Sudan | ||
| Heba Assem – North Africa: Egypt | |||
| Sharon Onkoni – Central Africa – Gabon | |||
| Patience Munyenyembe – Southern Africa: Malawi | |||
| Bora Kaumba – Central Africa: DRC | |||
| 16h00 | Closing Ceremony | Emmanuel K. Akyeampong – Harvard University Center for African Studies | Register |
| Performance Music: Deng Nhial Chioh | |||
| 16h30 | Summary and key highlights | Ebrima Sall – TrustAfrica | Register |
| Stigmata Tenga – Africa Philanthropy Network | |||
| Mosun Layode – African Philanthropy Forum | |||
| Evans Okinyi – East Africa Philanthropy Network – EAPN | |||
| Masego Madzwamuse – Southern Africa Trust | |||
| Bhekinkosi Moyo – Center on African Philanthropy and Social Investment |
