2026 Sustainable Development in Africa Conference

The Sustainable Development in Africa Conference convenes academics and cultural leaders to address pressing African challenges and opportunities. This year's theme is Reimagining Africa's Future Through Democracy, Economic Growth, and Youth Innovation.

This conference is presented by the Africa Center and Students for Africa group at the Josef Korbel School of Global and Public Affairs and co-sponsored by the Inclusive Global Leadership Initiative (IGLI).

AGENDA

9:30 a.m. -- Doors open | Check-in | Light breakfast and Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony
10:00 a.m. -- Programming begins | Event intro and remarks
10:30-11:00 a.m. -- Virtual Keynote Speaker: Ambassador Liberata Mulamula
11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. -- Panel 1: Leadership and the Future of Democracy in Africa
12:15-1:00 p.m. -- Lunch
1:00-1:45 p.m. -- Keynote Speaker: Farida Nabourema
1:45-3:00 p.m. -- Panel 2: Future of Economic Growth in Africa
3:00-3:30 p.m. -- Students Award
3:30-4:45 p.m. -- Panel 3: Youth and the Future of Technological Innovation in Africa
4:45-5:00 p.m. -- Conclusion
5:00-6:00 p.m. -- Happy Hour and Networking


SPEAKER LINEUP

Keynote Speakers:
Virtual Morning Keynote: Ambassador Liberata Mulamula, African Union Commission’s Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security (OSE-WPS)

Afternoon Keynote: Dr. Farida Nabourema, Togolese human rights activist and writer. Founder "Faure Must Go" Movement

Panel 1: Leadership and the Future of Democracy in Africa
- Prof. Rachel Sigman (Moderator), Professor, University of Denver
- Prof. MD. Kinoti, Professor Management & Leadership and Program Director, Master of Sustainable Development Practice & Master of Nonprofit Management (MNM), Regis University
- Ms. Micklina Kenyi, Author, Girls With Books
- Prof. Jude Fokwangm Professor of Anthropology at Regis University, Denver
- Mr. Boniface Mwangi, Kenyan Activist, Photojournalist, and Politician

Panel 2: Future of Economic Growth in Africa
- Prof. Ilene Grabel (Moderator), Distinguished University Professor & Co-director, Global Econ. Affairs Program, Josef Korbel School of Global & Public Affairs, University of Denver
- Dr. Jonathan Moyer, Associate Professor at the Josef Korbel School of Global and Public Affairs and Director of the Frederick S. Pardee Institute for International Futures, University of Denver
- Dr. Julia Munsaka, PhD Candidate & Graduate Teaching Assistant, Department of Political Science and Department of Ecosystem Science & Sustainability, Colorado State University
- Prof. Singumbe Muyeba, Associate Professor, Josef Korbel School of Global and Public Affairs, University of Denver
- Dr. Luka Powanga - Professor of Accounting, Economics, Finance, Anderson College of Business and Computing, Regis University

Panel 3: Youth and the Future of Technological Innovation in Africa
- Prof. Elizabeth Sperber (Moderator), Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Denver
- Dr. Shemilis Assefa - Associate Professor, Department of Research Methods and Information Science, Morgridge College of Education
- Dr. Sheila Van de Graaf, Executive Director, Youth Roots
- Dr. George Bamu, Director, Africa Agenda, African News Matter
- Samantha Kunz, Senior Research Associate, Frederick S. Pardee Institute for International Futures, University of Denver


CALL FOR PAPERS
We invite students to submit research papers related to the conference theme for a chance to win a prize! Papers must be submitted by April 6 (entries must be between1,500-3,000 words).
Submit here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1GYdkvvckukNBSlUwvy_gzqkhoNai-kZdD-OXNi8SIhQ/viewform?edit_requested=true

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