Columbia University's African Diplomatic Forum

“ADF 2014- Build Africa: The Diplomacy of Capacity Building and Our Common Future", organized by SIPA’s Pan African-Network (SPAN).

The SIPA Pan-African Network (SPAN) in partnership with the Institute for African Studies (IAS) invites you to the annual African Diplomatic Forum to be held at the School of International & Public Affairs, Columbia University in the City of New York on Friday November 22, 2013. The African Diplomatic Forum is an annual conference that gathers African diplomats, academics, students and activists t

o discuss the continent’s interests and role in international affairs. This year’s African Diplomatic Forum will explore the new frontier of African leadership. A new generation of leaders in Africa is grappling with a number of challenges, old and new, across the continent. In the public sector, good governance paradigms are shifting and democratic processes are taking hold, yet problems of electoral corruption and public mistrust remain. In the private sector, foreign direct investment and liberal economic reform are on the rise at the same time that resource exploitation and the merits of local versus foreign market control are debated. Leaders in the non-profit and social welfare sectors must grapple with the changing role of foreign aid, emerging micro-finance and social enterprises, and the capacity of local organizations to combat poverty, health, hunger and education related problems. New media and technology are changing the way millions of Africans communicate and connect with one another on a slew of social and economic issues. This conference will focus on how the nature of African leadership across the aforementioned sectors and in the different industries and levels of government among them is changing in response to these new challenges and opportunities. Questions that the conference will broadly address include:
What does a changing leadership landscape mean for governance reform and democracy, both at home and with regard to perceptions of African leadership abroad? How are private sector companies and international institutions responding to the need for increased investment in the context of new governance paradigms? How are young, business-minded leaders – many of them women – changing the face of social welfare, education and health programs? And what role might new media, cellphones, and other forms of network technology play in the execution of policy, the formation of new business, and the rise of new constituencies? Panel specific content will focus on the role of women and gender in African leadership changes, the role of governance, law, and international institutions in fostering economic growth and social equality, the urgency of infrastructure investment and leaders’ role in encouraging it, and the role of new media in debates about development and reform on the continent.

11/12/2014

10/27/2014

Featured Panel: Body Security in Sub-Saharan Africa: A
Dialogue about Violence Against Women

Friday, October 31st, 11:00am-12:30pm
International Affairs Building 1512

10/24/2014

"Today, we look to the future calmly, confidently, and courageously. We look to the vision of an Africa not merely free but united. In facing this new challenge, we can take comfort and encouragement from the lessons of the past. We know that there are differences among us. Africans enjoy different cultures, distinctive values, special attributes. But we also know that unity can be and has been attained among men of the most disparate origins, that differences of race, of religion, of culture, of tradition, are no insuperable obstacle to the coming together of peoples. History teaches us that unity is strength, and cautions us to submerge and overcome our differences in the quest for common goals, to strive, with all our combined strength, for the path to true African brotherhood and unity."
Emperor Haile Sellassie.

09/15/2014

Join us October 2nd in Alice's Cafe for another great event Taste of Africa. Tickets are $5 in advance, $10 at the door. Come and enjoy some east & west African food, great music and Africa trivia with prizes to be won!!!

09/09/2014

Join SIPA's Pan African Network (SPAN) tomorrow Wednesday September 10th for the General Body meeting in IAB 409 from 1-2pm. Pizza will be served and come and learn about how you can participate in the Africa Diplomatic Forum (ADF) 2014. This year's theme is Build Africa: The Diplomacy of Capacity Building and Our Common Future
See you there!!!!!

04/02/2014

Just in case you didn't know Columbia University's African Economic Forum gala is featuring a FIVE HOUR OPEN BAR...

We've got oil and gas magnate Wale Tinubu and former Prime Minister of Kenya Raila Odinga in the house!!!! There is absolutely no reason you want to miss this!! Get your tickets to the AEF conference and gala on eventbrite now!!!!

For additional information on the conference visit www.columbiaaef.com

Conference: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/columbia-universitys-11th-annual-african-economic-forum-tickets-10876488871

Gala: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/columbia-universitys-11th-annual-african-economic-forum-gal-event-tickets-11149575681

03/14/2014

A Continent Ascends: African Economic Forum Kick-Off Party OPEN BAR: 9PM-10PM The Columbia African Economic Forum Kick-Off Party is back. And the 2014 edition promises one of the largest congregations of professionals and graduate students on the NYC African Calendar.Lexicon Night Club | Friday, March 28th, 2014 | 9pm - 3am. $20 Early Bird (until 3/17) | $...

02/25/2014

Mark your calendars if you have not already done so. Columbia University's African Economic Forum comes to you April 4th and 5th. Visit the page in coming days for an overview of the program, panels, speakers etc.