- Tuesday, November 19, 2024
- 7:30 AM to 16:30 PM Nairobi Time
- Riara University: Raila Odinga Way, Nairobi, Nairobi County, Kenya
Meeting ID: 994 8234 3105
Passcode: riara
REGIONAL DIALOGUE ORGANISED JOINTLY BETWEEN RIARA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND DIPLOMACY, THE YOUTH CAFÉ & THE INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH & POLICY INTEGRATION IN AFRICA AT RIARA UNIVERSITY, MBAGATHI WAY, NAIROBI 19TH NOVEMBER 2024
THEME: “Empowering Democracy: Civic Participation and Digital Innovation and Climate Change Governance”
PROGRAMME
| Time | Activities | Responsible |
| 0730-0800 | Participant’s Arrival and Registration | Melody, Maxmillian & Cassandra |
| 0800-0830 | Participants’ Introduction | Mumbiko King’ori |
| 0830-0900 | Welcome remarks and Official Commencement of the Conference | Prof. Francis Onditi- Head of Department, School of IR & Diplomacy |
| 0900-0930 | Introducing the Dialogue Objectives | Willice Onyango- Executive Director- The Youth Cafe Mary Yvonne Ododa- Board of Directors (TYC) Elisenda Ballesté Buxó – Project Coordinator – Global Democracy Coalition |
| 0930-0945 | Message of Goodwill from Riara University senior management ranks | Prof. Wanja Tenambergen- Deputy Vice Chancellor (AA) |
| 0945-1000 | Keynote Address | Hon. Kalonzo Musyoka Kennedy, MP- East Africa Legislative Assembly (EALA) |
| 1000-1030 | Coffee/Tea Break | All |
| 1030-1050 | Climate Change, Democracy and Governance | Daniel Iberi- Afrobarometer |
| 1050-1130 | Panel Discussion: Women, Youth and Civil Societies space in Strengthening Democratic Governance and Climate Justice in Africa | Moderator – Mumbiko King’ori |
| 1130-1200 | Lightning Talks: Imperatives on State of Democratic Governance in Africa by the actors 1) Fragility of African Governance Institutions and OGP in Parliaments 2) Climate Justice and Environmental Politics 3) Civil Society Organizations’ space, case study of Youth Assembly 4) Women and Youth in Governance 5) Evolving role of technology in civic engagement and Elections | Scholars, Experts & Activists Caroline Gaita, Mzalendo Trust Prof. Ibrahim Bangura- University of Sierra Leone Alex Mugambi, Chair EIK Michael Sanya, Oslo Centre Ahmednoor Bashir, Member of EU Commission Global YSB Mulle Musau, ELOG Hon. Kiraitu Murungi, CMD |
| 1200-1230 | Debate/Conversation on Environmental Politics/Diplomacy | MA Students-led (Ismail Hersi & Faith Anyonje) |
| 1230-1330 | Lunch Break | All |
| 1330-1415 | Putting Morning Presentation into Perspective | Maxmillian Ochango (TYC) |
| 1415-1445 | Panel Discussion: Digital Innovation in Civic Engagement, International Cooperation, Public Policy Engagement and Climate Governance | Moderator – RU Co-Moderator |
| 1445-1600 | Panel Discussion: Evidence-Based Public Policy in Africa- the role of think tanks | Moderator: Prof. Abu Bah |
| 1600-1615 | Way Forward: Reading / adoption of the strategic Communique | Maxmillian Ochango (TYC) |
| 1615 | Vote of Thanks | Kisemei Mutisya |
PANEL DISCUSSION AND LIGHTNING TALKS PARTICIPANTS GUIDE
| Time | Activities | Responsible |
| 1050-1130 | Panel Discussion: Women, Youth and Civil Societies space in Strengthening Democratic Governance and Climate Justice in Africa. PANEL Qs 1. How can the inclusion of women and youth in decision-making processes be increased to promote more inclusive governance? 2. What structural barriers exist, and what initiatives have successfully overcome these barriers? 3. How can CSOs protect and reclaim civic space in an increasingly restrictive political environment across Africa? 4. How can the CSOs enhance closer collaboration with governments to foster democratic governance and development? | Moderator – Mumbiko King’ori Panelists: ❖ Christabel Barasa, Electoral Law and Governance in Africa ❖ Circular Economy Hub ❖ Maxmillian Ochango, The Youth Cafe focusing on the Gen Z protest report ❖ Kate Kodiaga- Riara University ❖ Victor Kirui, Former European Partnership For Democracy (EPD) Youth Advisory Board Member ❖ Austine Gerald Onyango, Chairman Young Aspirants Kenya |
| 1130-1200 | Lightning Talks; Imperatives on State of Democratic Governance in Africa by the actors 1) Fragility of African Governance Institutions and OGP in Parliaments; Exploring the fragility of African governance institutions and potential solutions for strengthening democratic processes 2)Climate Justice and Environmental Politics Addressing the misgovernance of climate change interventional and enforcement and the role of environmental diplomacy in promoting sustainable development. 3) Civil Society Organizations’ space, case study of Youth Assembly Examining how CSOs can reclaim and protect civic space, and their contribution to democratic governance and development 4) Women and Youth in Governance Discussing the evolving roles of women and youth in governance and their impact on public policy-making and leadership 5) Evolving role of technology in civic engagement and Elections Investigating the intersection of technology and democracy, and how digital tools can enhance civic participation and accountability | Scholars, Experts & Activists: Moderator: Kisemei Mutisya Caroline Gaita, Mzalendo Trust Prof. Ibrahim Bangura- University of Sierra Leone Alex Mugambi, Chair – Environment Institute of Kenya (EIK)EIK Michael Sanya, Oslo Centre Ahmednoor Bashir, Member of European Union Commission Global Youth Sounding Board Mulle Musau- National and Regional Coordinator – Elections Observation Group (ELOG) Hon. Kiraitu Murungi, Center for Multiparty Democracy (CMD-Kenya) |
| 1415-1445 | Panel Discussion: Digital Innovation in Civic Engagement, International Cooperation, Public Policy Engagement and Climate Governance PANEL Qs 1. How can digital tools be leveraged to improve transparency, accountability, and participation in governance? 2. What are the risks and challenges of digital engagement, and how can they be mitigated? 3. In what ways can African nations balance economic development and environmental sustainability, while ensuring climate justice for vulnerable communities? 4. What role does environmental diplomacy play in resolving cross-border environmental challenges? | Moderator – RU TBC Panelists: ❖ Farida Bulhan-Aliwa, Regional Director, Practical Action; Technology Challenging Poverty ❖ Oliver Waindi, Executive Director- Uraia Trust ❖ Faith Anyonje- Riara University ❖ Gregory Kearns, Director, Africa International Republican Institute ❖ Maurice Amutabi, Centre for Science and Technology Studies, Technical University of Kenya |
| Plenary Oriented Panel Discussion: Evidence-Based Public Policy in Africa Are public policy think tanks fit for purpose in Africa? | Moderator: Prof. Abu Bah Panelists: ❖ Dr. Sebastian Paalo- Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology ❖ Prof. Ibrahim Bangura ❖ Dr. Benson Musila |