Towards New Models of Collaboration – Leadership Perspectives and an Agenda for Action

Panel Speakers:

Mavis Owusu-Gyamfi

Head of Profession, Private Sector Development, Department for International Development

President, Coca-Cola Africa Foundation and Chair, Business Action for Africa

Chief Executive, Oxfam GB

Executive Director, Business Call to Action

Chair: Myles Wickstead CBE

Head of Secretariat to the Commission for Africa

2010 has been a year that has seen a further acceleration in the pace of understanding and action to galvanise business-led solutions to poverty. With only five years to go to achieve the MDGs, a growing number of profitable inclusive business models are demonstrating the power of leadership and innovation. Game-changing partnerships are creating new opportunities to align resources and know-how, share risks, and address systemic barriers to development. The energy, commitment and consensus between business, donors and civil society have never been greater, nor has the willingness to address these challenges collectively.

The final event of the 2010 event series, convened by Business Action for Africa, the CSR Initiative at Harvard Kennedy School, DFID and the Overseas Development Institute, will hear from four leaders, representing government, business, the development community and civil society, on what they have been learning from both successes and failures, and what needs to be done differently to sustain momentum in support of the agenda. What new models of collaboration are emerging and what more can we do to strengthen our capacity for collective action?

The event coincides with the launch of BAA’s 2010 Report, produced in partnership with the CSR Initiative, Harvard Kennedy School, which examines how business-driven partnerships are tackling Africa’s development challenges, and what can be learned from these examples to increase their reach and impact.