Theme: Africa’s Core Interests: How to Make Africans’ Dreams Valid 
Venue: Tanzania
Date: September 17 – 20, 2014

The current surge of interest in Africa from developed and emerging economies has been viewed by some pundits as an altruistic move generated by globalization to promote partnerships. They cite the groundbreaking Make Poverty History campaign in 2005 as well as the Commission for Africa’s move in 2005 to review progress and renew commitment to the Millennium Development Goals as coherent and practical steps for the creation of a strong and prosperous Africa. Can Africans achieve prosperity devoid of clearly stated core interests?

In 2013, African leaders from diverse fields met at the Headquarters of the African Union, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to celebrate 50 years since the founding of the Organisation of African Unity. They discussed the continent’s past, present and future. In their reflections they found expression in Agenda 2063, a long-term vision and roadmap that will allegedly transform Africa into a continent that is integrated, peaceful, prosperous and people-centered. Could these be said to be Africa’s core interests?

The Inter Region Economic Network (IREN) invites thought leaders from business, public policy, military, think tanks and academia to the 4th IREN Think Tank Forum for Eastern Africa Thought Leaders to brainstorm on “Africa’s Core Interests: How to Make Africans’ Dreams Valid.” The forum is keen to identify and review Africa’s core interests. The forum objectives include:-

• To determine Africa Core Interests in the global arena
• To assess Africa’s Agenda 2063
• To identify ways of pushing Africa’s Core Interests both locally and globally.

For more information, contact Ms. Zaina at info@irenkenya.com

Background

The Inter Region Economic Network (IREN) initiated an Eastern Africa Thought Leaders forum in August 2011 to identify strategies to enable East Africans organically evolve their own socio-economic and political systems and to nurture futuristic thinkers. Previous forums focused on how East Africans can position themselves to benefit from the Cape to Cairo Free Trade Zone; Essential elements for African leadership in the global jungle and African Indigenous Games of Strategy.

The Inter Region Economic Network is a leading independent African think tank that promotes ideas and strategies geared towards causing prosperity in Africa through free enterprise and sound public policy. IREN's key platforms include targeted events, trainings, research, consultancy, communication and through its flagship magazine The African Executive - published in English every Wednesday. The IREN Philosophy is “A Free Human Mind is the Ultimate Capital!"