An International Conference Organized by African Research Institutions and Think Tanks
Nairobi, March 28-30th 2011
(Sarova Pan Afric Hotel)
Representatives of over fifty African research institutions and think tanks are holding an international conference in Nairobi, Kenya on 28-29 March 2011. This Conference is held under the auspices of the Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA) and brings together research institutions, think-tanks, African researchers and experts interested in China-Africa relations.
This Conference is a follow-up to the Beijing Conference, March 29 -30 2010,organized by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), where a Joint Africa-China Research Cooperation and Academic Exchange Program was launched. This Joint Program is one of the innovative measures adopted at the Sharm-El-Sheik, Egypt at 4th Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
The Nairobi conference is set to explore ways of encouraging research and policy dialogue on Africa-China relations in order to create the basis for effective African participation in the Joint Africa-China Research Cooperation and Academic Exchange Program.
African research institutions, think tanks and researchers present at the
Beijing launch ceremony last year supported the proposed mechanism of research cooperation and academic exchange with their Chinese colleagues.
The African researchers called for a wide consultation with their peers to ensure broad acceptance of the initiative across the continent. CODESRIA was chosen as a lead institution, working together with a Provisional Steering Committee, tasked with responsibility for coordinating and convening a meeting for African research institutions, think tanks and researchers. The institutions will discuss the future direction and the institutional mechanisms for implementing the Joint Africa-China Research Cooperation and Academic Exchange Programme.
The Nairobi conference, March 28-30th 2011, focuses on the theme: UNDERSTANDING CHINA-AFRICA RELATIONS, with the overall objectives of:-
* Discussing current developments in China and Africa pertaining to
the Research Cooperation and Academic Exchange Programme and existing modalities for African research institutions, think tanks and researchers engagement.
* Identifying research priorities, activities and programmes, policy dialogue and advocacy issues related to Africa - China relations;.
* Setting up an African network or forum of research institutions and
think-tanks working on China-Africa relations;
The Nairobi conference is attended by African research institutions and
think leaders, researchers, experts on China-Africa Relations, African
Chinese policy makers, including a high level official delegation from
China. The conference is opened by Honourable Professor Peter Anyang' Nyongo' Kenya's Minister of Health.
For Details Contact:
Ebrima Sall, Executive Secretary, CODESRIA +221338240374
executive.secretary@codesria.sn
Marie Ndiaye +221338240374, Contacts in Kenya +254739648398
marie.ndiaye@codesria.sn
James Shikwati, Director, The Inter Region Economic Network (IREN)
+254202731497 cell +254733823062 james@irenkenya.org
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