Rotary International Zone 22 has announced the programme of events for their virtual two-day Centennial Conference this month, taking place on 24 and 25 April. Rotary International President Holger Knaack will welcome the hundreds of delegates expected to attend online from around the world. He will be joined by the likes of South African Storyteller, Ms Gcina Mhlope, Kenyan designer and eco-innovator Anyango Mpinga and Dr Tunji Funsho, chair of Rotary’s Nigeria National PolioPlus Committee who was last year named as one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People.
This unprecedented line-up of over 90 speakers includes heads of state, prestigious Rotary representatives, African business leaders and leading visionaries, pioneers and icons.
“The excellent panels and keynote speakers secured for this milestone celebration is testament to the significance and value placed on the work done by Rotary over the last 100 years in seeking solutions to some of the Africa’s most pressing humanitarian challenges,” says District Governor Annemarie Mostert, Chairperson of the 2021 African Centennial Celebrations who will also officially open the proceedings.
Topics to be discussed on Day 1 include strategic community economic development for poverty alleviation, solving Africa’s twin deficit in education, partnerships in controlling epidemics in Africa, and a discussion on the future of peacekeeping on the continent.
Day 2 sees a spokesperson from African Development Bank address the factors and solutions to Africa’s water and sanitation crisis, as well as an in-depth discussion on innovation for maternal and child health in Africa, led by UN Women representative Ms Anne Githu-Shongwe.
The conference will also recognise some of the true trailblazers within Rotary International and their partner organisations. The programme culminates in a look at tomorrow’s opportunities and challenges and how young people can help to secure a better future for Africa.
“The power of partnerships is a key theme in the content programme and this is the ethos on which African Brand Architects is based,” says African Brand Architects director Shereen Hunter. “We enjoy a strong alignment with Rotary in the area of economic advancement in Africa. Our vision is to shine a different lens on Africa from a marketing, branding and communications perspective and headlining the sponsorship of this important event is just one step on that important journey.”
Adding to the highlights of entertainment by the Soweto String Quartet and the Ndlovu Youth Choir, will be a personal message from Bill Gates, representing the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, to acknowledge the great work done by Rotary in Africa.
For a full programme and list of speakers, and to find out more about the Zone 22 Rotary Africa Centennial International Conference, go to https://www.rotary9400.org.za/sitepage/rotary-africa-centennial.
