Advisory - Africa's New Frontier: Innovation. Technology. Prosperity

OTTAWA, Feb. 1 /CNW Telbec/ - In the 21st century, Africa is emerging as a dynamic and innovative continent. This new Africa boasts a reservoir of young talent, a growing market for cutting-edge technologies, and a source of fresh ideas. Join Ken Wiwa, special assistant to the President of Nigeria; François Bugingo, President of Reporters Sans Frontières; Neil Turok, Director, Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics; Gebisa Ejeta, recipient of the 2009 World Food Prize, and other renowned African experts on February 4-5 in Ottawa to gain unique insights on the continent's success stories in business, agriculture, government, education, and health care.

    
    Date: February 4-5, 2010
    Where: Fairmont Château Laurier, 1 Rideau Street, Ottawa
    Registration and program: www.idrc.ca/AfricaNewFrontier
    Cost: Free of charge for journalists
    

Africa's New Frontier: Innovation. Technology. Prosperity, is organized by Canada's International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT). The conference aims to enrich our conversation about Africa, highlighting good news stories, projecting trends, and focusing on the many ways in which Canada-Africa relations support innovation on the continent.

Journalists and the public can follow the conference on Ismail Hoosen Dhorat's blog, Startup Africa, and join in the conversation through Twitter (No.ANF10) and Facebook. Keynote addresses by Venancio Massingue, Minister of Science and Technology (Mozambique), Punam Chuhan-Pole, Lead Economist, Office of the Chief Economist, Africa Region, World Bank;and Professor Goolam T.G. Mohamedbahi, Secretary-General of the Association of African Universities (AAU) will be webcast live on Thursday, February 4, at 11:00 am and 12:45 pm, and February 5th at 9:30am at www.idrc.ac/AfricaNewFrontier.

The event is open and free of charge to the media. Spaces are limited and journalists are encouraged to register by contacting Isabelle Bourgeault-Tassé at [email protected] or 613-696-2343.

About IDRC

Canada's International Development Research Centre (IDRC) is one of the world's leading institutions in the generation and application of new knowledge to meet the challenges of international development. For nearly 40 years, IDRC has worked in close collaboration with researchers from the developing world to build healthier, more equitable, and more prosperous societies.

For further information: Isabelle Bourgeault-Tassé, [email protected], [phone]; Foreign Affairs Media Relations Office, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, [phone]