We’re building a movement for science in Africa. Join us.

Wednesday 14th September 2016 Kensington Town Hall, London

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The Planet Earth Institute #ScienceAfrica UnConference GENERATION SCIENCE: EMPOWERING AFRICA’S FUTURE SCIENTIFIC LEADERS

Hosted by the Rt Hon Lord Paul Boateng and President Ameenah Gurib-Fakim

Our delegates’ hopes for science in Africa in 2015Rt Hon Lord Paul Boateng, one of our Trustees

Attendees get to grips with science and tech in Africa

President Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, our Vice Chairman and Trustee

A delegation of African governments

Our student volunteers set up

PEI Chairman, Dr. Álvaro Sobrinho

A 3D printing display

A workshop group

Attendees take part in table working groups

Event Schedule

The PEI #ScienceAfrica UnConference is back and this year it’s going to be bigger and better than ever!

Entitled “GENERATION SCIENCE: EMPOWERING AFRICA’S FUTURE SCIENTIFIC LEADERS”, we’ll be bringing together over 180 delegates from business, academia, policy and civil society for an exciting day of expert panel discussions, interactive working groups and participant-led workshops.

Though Africa’s well documented ‘youth bulge’ has the potential to be a significant driver of socio-economic development on the continent, it can also be seen as a ticking time bomb. With 11 million young Africans expected to join the job market every year for the next decade, it’s crucial that they are equipped with the skills needed to ensure they and their countries prosper – science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) must be at the heart of human capacity building on the continent.

We’re calling on all stakeholders – from business, government, academia and civil society – to come together and help prevent another generation slipping into insecure labour and underemployment. Instead, we want to help create Africa’s ‘Generation Science’ – a generation of young Africans empowered by an understanding and appreciation of science and technology, able to lead the continent’s businesses, governments and academic institutions and help drive much needed socio economic transformation.

We will be challenging delegates to help us explore and find new ways to:

• Createhighquality,industryrelevantSTEMeducationandtrainingforyoungAfricans

• Engageyoungpeopleinthepolicydialoguesthatwillshapetheirlives

• Collaboratewithandanticipatetheneedsofthebusinessesandindustriesofthefuture

• Harnessandexploitnewtechnologiestostrengthenandpromotehighereducationinstitutions,theirstaff,studentsandresearch

• BuildthehumancapacityandSTEMskills-basesothatAfricanchallengesandopportunitiescanbeaddressedbyAfrican-ledsolutions

The PEI #ScienceAfricaUnConference2016Hosted by the Rt Hon Lord Paul Boateng and President Ameenah Gurib-Fakim.

This is Africa’s Generation Science.

Event Schedule

9.00am – 9.15am Welcome

An introduction from the Rt Hon Lord Paul Boateng and a welcome address by H.E. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, President of Mauritius

9.15am – 9.00am Table working groups

Attendees will be asked to work through a series of idea generation challenges in their table groups

9.30am – 11.00am High-level panel / Q&A

The first high-level panel discussions featuring presentations from leading policy-makers, businesses and academics

11.00am – 11.30am Coffee break

During the coffee break, attendees will sign up for their chosen workshop

11.30am – 1.00pm Morning workshops

Hosted by the PEI’s partners, workshops will take place simultaneously, addressing different topics related to the main theme

1.00pm – 2.00pm Lunch

A buffet lunch will be served for all attendees

2.00pm – 3.00pm High-level panel

The second high-level panel discussions featuring presentations from leading policy makers, businesses and academics

3.00pm – 3.30pm Coffee break

During the coffee break, attendees will sign up for their chosen workshop

3.30pm – 5.00pm Afternoon workshops

A second series of workshops that will be happening simultaneously across the venue

5.00pm – 5.30pm Roundup and close

All attendees will reconvene in the main room for key reflections and a discussion of next-steps

5.30pm – 6.30pm Drinks reception

A selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks will be available for attendees to enjoy after the event

What to expect

Panel SessionsTwo panel sessions headed by senior policy-makers, business leaders and prominent academics, outlining key challenges and opportunities to get participants thinking. Q&As, table working groups and feedback plenaries will follow each session. Partners and sponsors have the opportunity to lead discussion.

Table GroupsThe PEI UnConference is all about sharing ideas, opinions and insights and this starts with the table groups. Discussion-led group working will form the basis for feedback during the panel sessions and in creating our Key Outcomes Report.

One to One MeetingsUltimately, the UnConference is about taking action and we’ve provided plenty of opportunity and space to get down to business and arrange one-to-one meetings. The PEI will be on hand to support introductions and collaborations.

Workshops10 structured interactive workshops will take place simultaneously across the venue in both the morning and afternoon sessions. Hosted by the PEI’s partners and sponsors, they will cover a range of topics on science and technology in Africa and participants can chose which workshop they want to attend.

Open NetworkingWe guarantee attendees will meet lots of interesting and likeminded people, all committed to building a movement for science and technology in Africa. We support a number of open spaces that allow conversation to flow and new connections to be made – and there’s a drinks reception!

The PEI Partners FairWithin the UnConference, there is a dedicated space for the PEI’s partners to promote their work and for attendees to learn more about their engagement in Africa. Sponsor organisations will have a dedicated space for company branding and promotional materials.

ReportsThe Key Outcomes Report will consolidate the insights, perspectives and ideas gathered from the UnConference. We want to build a movement for Generation Science in Africa and this starts with generating and collecting new, innovative ideas at the UnConference.

“The Unconference format and workshops were a great chance to engage with stakeholders in discussions to increase understanding and move quickly to action.”

Peter Waggett, Emerging Technology Director, IBM

“The RISE contingent felt that the UnConference provided a unique platform to discuss core issues related to scientific research in Africa by bringing together individuals involved in so many different sectors of society, in addition to Ministers and other high-level government officials. The breadth of perspectives really enriched the discussions and we were able to get to the heart of the day’s big questions. The energy in the room was palpable, and the participants were inspiring. The day really filled us all with passion and connected the RISE scientists to the larger issues and questions surrounding the work they do.”

Sarah Rich, Program Associate, Regional Initiative in Science and Education (RISE)

Our partners

Due to its increasing popularity and size, this year the PEI #ScienceAfrica UnConference will be held at the Kensington Conference Centre within Kensington Town Hall.

The venue

Kensington Town HallHornton StreetLondonW8 7NX

Directions

London Underground

Circle or District Line to High Street Kensington, exit through the arcade onto Kensington High Street, cross the High Street and walk approximately 100 yards up Hornton Street. The Town Hall Conference and Events Centre is on the left hand side

Car Parking

There is a public car park immediately below the Town Hall. Enter Campden Hill Road from Kensington High Street. Take the first right into Phillimore Walk. Turn immediately left down the entrance ramp to the car park.

Local Bus Routes

Numbers: 9, 10, 27, 28, 49, 52, 70, 328, C1. Alight at Kensington High Street/Wrights Lane junction. Alternatively 52 or 70 at Kensington Church Street.

The Planet Earth Institute (PEI) is an international NGO and charity working for the scientific independence of Africa. While other emerging regions have invested heavily in science and technology, Africa is falling behind in the race for scientific development. And we want that to change, fast. All of our work is built around the three pathways we believe will help lead Africa to scientific independence: Higher Education, Technological Innovation and Policy and Advocacy. In other words, we want to support and strengthen higher education institutions, help incubate technologies able to drive scientific advancement and campaign for a science-led development agenda for Africa.

About the Planet Earth Institute

We’re building a movement for science in Africa. Join us.