Registration to attend the ARCC Forum 2021 is now open: Register
About the ARCC Virtual Free Forum (April 19th - April 23rd, 2021)
ARCC 2021 inaugurates a 5-year commitment to building bridges between the US climate change movement, African Diaspora, and Africans addressing climate change emergency action. This event will include multiple UCLA schools and departments and provide the opportunity to meet some of the most notable Africans on the continent and in the Diaspora engaged in climate change. This platform will help develop strong public/private partnerships between the US and Africa, united in seeking climate solutions and implementing the UN SDGs. The ARCC Forum will assemble interdisciplinary panels of scholars, scientists, industry leaders, climate change innovators, youth activists, and dignitaries to build on African initiatives in these key areas: sustainable agriculture, energy, water use, wetland restoration, biofuel development, entrepreneurship, awareness building, engineering, and ecovillage development.
Purpose and Goals
An opportunity for the US and climate change leaders to accelerate ambitious solutions and build stronger global partnerships. ARCC 2021 inaugurates a 5-year commitment for climate change emergency action between Africa and the US to solve some of the most pressing challenges of the climate crisis.
The general goal of the forum is to develop an integrated vision of “Green Development” in Africa that is both ecologically and economically sustainable, emphasizing local solutions to climate change developed by African stakeholders in urban and rural environments. Key contributors will identify priorities for research and implementation, and collaboratively develop an action plan for the future.
The five-day international ARCC Forum will be a virtual event serving a broad audience within the UC system and throughout the climate change community. The event provides a unique opportunity to support African-designed programs that incorporate best practices in sustainable development and are guided by the needs of both communities and governments. In addition to panel discussions on topics ranging from Climate Readiness Infrastructure to Ecovillage/Eco-City Development, we will offer Design Thinking jam sessions, Climate Solutions Networking Gallery, and opportunities to connect with leaders in the global climate change movement.
More about Nnimmo Bassey More about Ousmane Pame More about Sidique Wai More about Elizabeth Wathuti
All times are posted as PST
MONDAY APRIL 19TH
(9 AM) WELCOME & OPENING REMARKS with Andrew Apter is the Director of the James S. Coleman African Studies Center and Professor in the Departments of History and Anthropology at UCLA - Annie de la Bouillerie Goeke is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Earth Rights Institute.
(9:15-10 AM) KEYNOTE 1 and Q&A: “Mobilizing African Youth for Climate Action and Conservation,” with Elizabeth Wathuti (Kenya), Founder of Green Generation Initiative and Head of Campaigns at Wangari Mathai Foundation.
(10:15-11:45 AM) PANEL 1: Youth Leadership
Student Presentations Moderated by Nurit Katz, UCLA Chief Sustainability Officer
(12-2 PM) NETWORKING EVENT
Organized by UCLA Bruin Home Solutions Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Lab
TUESDAY APRIL 20TH
(9-10 AM) KEYNOTE 2 and Q&A: “Leveraging Technology for Environmental Rights and Justice,” with Nnimmo Bassey (Nigeria), Director of Health of Mother Earth Foundation, 2010 Right Livelihood Laureate and one of Time magazine's “Heroes of the Environment”.
(10:15-11:45AM) PANEL 2: Indigenous Environmental Knowledges
(12-1:30 PM) PANEL 3: Energy, Water, Climate—Clean & Regenerative Infrastructures
(3-5 PM) INTERACTIVE STUDENT WORKSHOP: DESIGN THINKING JAM SESSION
120 Minutes to Change the World. Are you in? A fun, virtual, highly interactive, fast-paced workshop led by John Ayers
**Please note that this session is only for students. Participants do not have to be UCLA students. Special registration is required: please fill out this form if you are a high school or college student and would like to participate. **
WEDNESDAY APRIL 21ST
(9-10AM) KEYNOTE 3 and Q&A: “Climate Refugees and Regenerative Communities,” with Ousmane Aly Pame (Senegal)
President of Global Ecovillage Network Africa and Founder and President of Network for Ecovillage Emergence and Development in the Sahel.
(10:15-11:45AM) PANEL 4: Climate Refugees and Precarious Lives and Livelihoods
THURSDAY APRIL 22ND EARTH DAY
(9-10:30AM) JOURNEYS: EXCHANGING STORIES - What inspired our keynote speakers to embark on their careers as environmental justice and climate change champions? Join us to learn more about their stories and share yours in this informal conversation.
FRIDAY APRIL 23RD
(9-10AM) KEYNOTE 4 and Q&A: “Emerging Economic Opportunities for a Green Africa,” with His Excellency Ambassador Sidique Abou-Bakarr Wai (Sierra Leone) Ambassador to the United States.
(10:15-11:45AM) PANEL 4: Business, Politics, and Culture—The Climate Action Ecosystem
(11:45AM-12:15PM) CLOSING REMARKS AND THE PATH FORWARD
Articles based on interviews with Keynote Speakers by our ERI intern team:
Article on Nnimmo Bassey Article on Ousmane Pame Article on Sidique Wai Article on Elizabeth Wathuti
Video teasers from our Keynote Speakers: view on YouTube
Registration to attend the ARCC Forum 2021 is now open: Register
