TCD Celebrates Africa Day with Conference on Investing in Africa

Posted on: 27 May 2011

As part of the 2011 Africa Day celebrations the Trinity International Development Initiative (TIDI) and the Institute for International Integration Studies (IIIS), in collaboration with Self Help Africa and University College Dublin hosted a free public conference at Trinity College Dublin on May 25th last, titled, ‘Investing in Africa: Society, Agriculture and Enterprise’.

The conference, which was opened by Minister of State for Trade and Development, Jan O’Sullivan and Kenyan Ambassador HE Catherine Muigai Mwangi, explored the role that agriculture, trade and enterprise will have on future growth and development in sub-Saharan Africa. An emphasis was placed on the contribution that women have to play in the continent’s future economic growth.

Pictured (left to right) at the Africa Day Celebration held in Trinity College Dublin on 25th May are: Prof. Jane Grimson, Chair of the Trinity International Development Initiative at TCD, Prof. Margaret Kigozi, Executive Director, Uganda Investment Authority, Dr. Marcela Villarreal, Director Gender, Equity and Rural Employment Division, Food and Agriculture Organisation and Kalongo Chitengi, Zambia Country Director, Self Help Africa

Chaired by RTE news correspondent, Charlie Bird, the conference presented five keynote speakers from a range of backgrounds, who addressed the conference from various perspectives by focusing on their experiences of doing and supporting business in Africa.  These speakers included Dr Marcela Villarreal, Director, Gender, Equity and Rural Employment Division, Food and Agriculture Organisation; Kalongo Chitengi, Zambia Country Director, Self Help Africa; Professor Margaret Kigozi, Executive Director, Uganda Investment Authority; Dr Eoin Gahan, Head of Trade, Environment and Survey Analysis, Forfás; and Professor Keith Palmer, Executive Chairman, AgDevCo.

The conference formed part of the Africa Day celebrations nationwide. Africa Day is an initiative of the African Union, which celebrates African diversity and success along with the cultural and economic potential of the continent.  In Ireland, events to celebrate Africa Day are supported by Irish Aid.