Session 1: Taking Stock of Africa’s Cultural Capital for Social and Economic Development

This session seeks to explore the new development paradigm that links culture and the economy and its prospects for Africa's socio-economic transformation. The economy of culture in Africa has a huge potential to generate sustainable income (and export earnings), create jobs, spur innovation and, at the same time, contribute to social inclusion, cultural diversity and human development. Yet, many African countries have not been able to fully tap into this potential.
This session will therefore address the challenges of harnessing the full potential of Africa’s cultural economy/capital. The session will explore, among other things, the strategies of developing, commercialising and promoting Africa’s indigenous resources, heritage and cultural activities. All of these would be done with a view to informing policy-making by outlining the conceptual, institutional and policy frameworks in which this economy can flourish.

Location: Seminar Room 1 , Mathematical Institute - Andrew Wiles Building, Oxford

Session 2: Amandla! Awethu! Social Movements Challenging the Status Quo for Good Governance

Social movements have occupied a pivotal place in Africa’s sociopolitical landscape for the past decades. Social movements have challenged colonial rule during Africa’s liberation struggle; it has confronted bad governance, and champion human rights and rule of law, in Africa’s recent democratic dispensation. In recent years, social movements have gained greater power to mobilise (thanks to modern technology and social media), even though this comes at a great cost to activists. Many face professional exclusion and jail time, and others pay the ultimate price with their lives.
This panel will convene leaders of prominent social movements across the continent to inspire and challenge the delegates (of the conference) to consider their roles in movements that shape our time; discuss the DNA of some noteworthy movements in Africa that have inspired generations recently; and share insights on the role of social movements on the future of governance in Africa.

Location: Seminar Room 2 , Mathematical Institute - Andrew Wiles Building, Oxford

Session 3: Agritech and Agribusiness: Innovations and Opportunities for Producing and Consuming Locally

Africa has suitable agro-climate conditions that will allow it to be self-sufficient in food production and, at the same time, feed the world. More than 60 per cent of the continent's most active population is engaged in agriculture. The continent also contains 65 per cent of the world's most arable and uncultivated land. However, Africa still imports large quantities of food products that may be produced locally.
The goal of this session is, therefore, to highlight existing local capacities and innovations (technical and financial), and explore ways of leveraging these capacities and innovations to increase food production. The session will also explore sustainable ways of scaling up these capacities and innovations within each section of the agricultural value chain to radically transform Africa’s agriculture sector, and, hence, make Africa self–sufficient in food production.

Location: Seminar Room 3 , Mathematical Institute - Andrew Wiles Building, Oxford

Session 4: Showcasing and Scaling up Indigenous Innovations in Health and Wellness

Demands for good healthcare and wellness systems are increasing in Africa amidst a rapidly growing population, epidemiologic transitions and economic limitations. Africa’s ability to meet this growing demand and create sustainable health systems will depend largely on its capacity to invent, deploy and scale-up indigenous solutions that are sensitive and appropriate for local communities. Several examples exist in some African countries: these examples showcase indigenous health innovations in financing, service delivery, diagnostics, medicines, health information systems and much more.
The session will highlight these innovations and explore ways of leveraging them to improve healthcare and wellness in Africa. The session will also examine these innovations across the components of the World Health Organisation’s framework to develop a blueprint for scaling up these efforts. Finally, the session will examine the role of government and the private sector in scaling up these innovations.

Location: Seminar Room 4 , Mathematical Institute - Andrew Wiles Building, Oxford

Location: Mathematical Institute - Andrew Wiles Building, Oxford

Location: Mathematical Institute - Andrew Wiles Building, Oxford

Location: Mathematical Institute - Andrew Wiles Building, Oxford

Session 1: Taking Stock of Africa’s Cultural Capital for Social and Economic Development

Location: Seminar Room 1 , Mathematical Institute - Andrew Wiles Building, Oxford

Session 2: Amandla! Awethu! Social Movements Challenging the Status Quo for Good Governance

Location: Seminar Room 2 , Mathematical Institute - Andrew Wiles Building, Oxford

Session 3: Agritech and Agribusiness: Innovations and Opportunities for Producing and Consuming Locally

Location: Seminar Room 3 , Mathematical Institute - Andrew Wiles Building, Oxford

Session 4: Showcasing and Scaling up Indigenous Innovations in Health and Wellness

Location: Seminar Room 4 , Mathematical Institute - Andrew Wiles Building, Oxford

Location: Mathematical Institute - Andrew Wiles Building, Oxford

[Speaker and topic details to be announced]

17:55 PM - 18:20 PM: Q & A Session with Keynote Speaker

Location:Mathematical Institute - Andrew Wiles Building, Oxford

Location: TBD, Oxford

Location: Linacre College, Oxford