IST-Africa Showcased during Second Africa-Ireland Economic Forum, 22 October 2012
The Second Africa-Ireland Economic Forum took place at the UCD Michael Smurfit Business School, Dublin on 22 October, jointly organised by Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the UCD Michael Smurfit Business School and the College of African Ambassadors accredited to Ireland. The Forum was well attended with representatives from Irish public and private sector and African Embassies accredicated to Ireland (based in Dublin and London).
The theme for the second annual Forum was "Building on Success". Mr Joe Costello, TD, Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade provided a report on progress to date since the first Africa-Ireland Economic Forum in October 2011.
The Opening Plenary Session focused on Managing Risk, Identifying Partners and Raising Finance with presentations from Investec, QSAT, Invest in Africa and Public Private Partnerships in Kenya.
The second Plenary Session included keynote presentations from the Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister) Mr. Eamon Gilmore T.D., His Excellencey, Mr Youssuf Ouedraogo, Special Advisor to President of the African Development Bank (read by H.E. Catherine Muigai Mwangi, Ambassador of Kenya to Ireland) and Dr Karin Sonpar from UCD.
During the afternoon, there were four breakout sessions. These focused on the following key topics: Agribusiness; Infrastructure and Construction; Education and Technology; and Pharmceuticals and Medical Supplies.
The Education and Technology session chaired by H.E. Mr. Paramente Phamotse, the Ambassador of Lesotho (an IST-Africa Partner Country) was well attended and very interactive. Paul Cunningham of IIMC Ltd presented achievements to date under the IST-Africa Initiative in the areas of Education, Research and Technology adaptation. Paul also highlighted cooperation opportunities between Africa and Europe, including leveraging ICT enabled Living Labs, which is one of the priority areas identified in the Second Action Plan of the 8th Africa - EU Strategic Partnership (Science, Information Society, Space). Other presentations focused on Opportunities to work in projects focused on Africa by Seamus McCann, Astec Global; School in a box by Philip Penny, Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology and courses provided by Hiberia by Lars Smith, Hibernia College.
The Education and Technology group provided recommendations which were presented by the Ambassador of Lesotho during the final Plenary session.
The IST-Africa Initiative was also showcased in the interactive market space, which faciliated networking between Irish and African organisations. This provided an opportunity for Irish organisations interested in cooperation with Africa to learn more. Representatives from the African Embassies participating were very pleased to see the research potential of their respective countries being showcased and promoted.
The Forum concluded with a Networking Reception.
