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 at the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA), AEF has grown to 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.
African Economic Forum 2009:
“From Assets to Action: Unmasking Africa’s Resources in a Challenging Era”
March 27-March 28, 2009
In 2009, the SIPA Pan-African Network collaborated with the African Business Club (ABC) at Columbia Business School and the African Law Students Association (ALSA) at Columbia Law School to present AEF 2009: “From Assets to Action – Unmasking Africa’s Diverse Resources in a Challenging Era.” AEF 2009 explored the continent’s challenges and successes in the following areas: agriculture, law, post-conflict economic development, finance, tourism, and information and communications technology.
Policymakers, business professionals, government officials, activists, educators, and students joined together in discussion and thinking through these issues with some of the leading minds working with and in Africa today. AEF 2009 highlighted opportunities and challenges, while exploring insights and strategies for a prosperous Africa.
AEF 2009 was held on Friday, March 27th and Saturday, March 28th at Columbia University in the City of New York.
African Economic Forum 2008 :
“The Different Faces of Capital: Investments for a Dynamic Africa”
April 4, 2008
In 2008, the SIPA Pan-African Network and the African Studies Working Group at the Teachers College collaborated to present the 2008 African Economic Forum — “The Different Faces of Capital: Investments for a Dynamic Africa.” The Forum consisted of three panels that targeted dynamic trends and salient issues impacting African economic development: Natural Resource Sustainability: Balancing Energy and the Environment; Educating New Leaders and the Role of African Universities; and Capital Change: Market-based Philosophies For Social Good.
Panel participants included government officials, private-sector entrepreneurs, leading scholars and experts from civil society organizations.
AEF 2008 was held on Friday, April 1st at Columbia University in the City of New York.