Africa Summit

The inaugural IAS Research Summit for 2024-25, Africa Summit is led by Dr Oluwasola (Sola) Afolabi (ABCE) & Dr Hibbah Araba Osei-Kwasi (SSEHS)

The Africa Summit - Resilience and adaptability for climate change: Lessons from Sub-Sahara Africa (SSA), is particularly timely and aligning with the three University strategic 2030 themes and the UK's climate action targets, notably achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Policy shifts and public awareness of climate issues have heightened the urgency for innovative and effective solutions. This summit offers a unique and timely opportunity to leverage SSA’s resilience and adaptability strategies and enhance academic, policy-making, and practical approaches to climate challenges.

Featuring confirmed IAS Visiting Fellows - 

• Dr Janet Febisola Adeyemi, Women In Mining Nigeria
• Professor Samuel Nii Ardey Codjoe, University of Ghana
• Professor Cheryl Potgieter, Durban University of Technology
• Dr Lin Cherurbai Sambili-Gicheha, The Commonwealth Secretariat

After a launch event & cultural exhibition on Monday 28th October, we continue on Tuesday 29th October where the Africa Summit will delve into the powerful role of sports as a catalyst for societal resilience and cohesion. With a focus on Sub-Saharan Africa’s innovative use of sports to drive positive change, this session will explore the intersection of sports with national health programmes, sustainable infrastructure, and community well-being. Participants will engage with real-world examples of how sports have fostered social cohesion, supported public health initiatives, and enhanced climate resilience across African communities. The session will also examine the potential for the UK to adopt similar strategies, integrating sports into sustainability and climate action frameworks to create more resilient and cohesive communities. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how sports can contribute to achieving the UK’s strategic climate and social goals, leveraging its potential to foster both individual and collective resilience.

On Wednesday 30th October, the Africa Summit will focus on climate change and net-zero ambitions, with a particular emphasis on the lessons Sub-Saharan Africa offers in resilience and adaptability. This session will present case studies of innovative approaches to climate challenges. These strategies have proven effective in enhancing community resilience and sustainability in resource-limited settings. The discussions will focus on how these adaptable and scalable solutions can be tailored to support the UK’s ambitious net-zero targets. By drawing on SSA’s wealth of experience in navigating environmental challenges with limited resources, participants will explore potential collaborations and pathways for integrating these resilience frameworks into UK climate action, ultimately fostering sustainable, cross-continental innovation.

Finally on Thursday 31st October, the Africa Summit will focus on the importance of inclusivity in building resilient and sustainable urban and peri-urban communities. This session will explore how inclusive urban development can drive social cohesion, economic resilience, and environmental sustainability, particularly through the lens of successful projects across Sub-Saharan Africa. By prioritising the participation of diverse and marginalised groups, urban areas can unlock innovative solutions to address challenges such as housing, transportation, and environmental management. Participants will examine how these inclusive strategies can be adapted to the UK’s urban development context, ensuring that urban planning promotes equity and long-term resilience. This session will provide valuable insights into how vibrant, inclusive cities are essential to achieving broader sustainability goals, and how these models can be applied to foster more equitable and resilient urban spaces in the UK.

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