Welcome Message From the 2009 Organizing Committee
From a modest beginning in 2004, the annual African Economic Forum (AEF) has grown to become the largest Africa-focused event at Columbia University. Originally conceived of and organized by the SIPA Pan-African Network (SPAN), a graduate student organization, AEF is a two-day event featuring expert panels and keynote speakers. The students’ intent is to foster a public discussion on the core issues of African development by having experts of various, and sometimes opposing, perspectives openly debate the merits of different approaches and policies.
This year, the SIPA Pan-African Network is collaborating with the African Business Club (ABC) at Columbia Business School and the African Law Students Association (ALSA) at Columbia Law School to present this year’s AEF “From Assets to Action - Unmasking Africa's Diverse Resources in a Challenging Era.” AEF 2009 will explore the continent’s challenges and successes in the following areas: agriculture, law, post-conflict economic development, finance, tourism, and information and communications technology.
We invite you to join policymakers, business professionals, government officials, activists, educators, and students in thinking through these issues with some of the leading minds working with and in Africa today. AEF 2009 will highlight opportunities and challenges and explore insights and strategies for a prosperous Africa.
AEF 2009 will be held on Friday, March 27th and Saturday, March 28th at Columbia University in the City of New York.
