Building A Borderless East Africa Region

Building A Borderless East Africa Region: Championing Unity, Youth Employment, Culture and Climate Resilience

In an increasingly interconnected world, strong regional blocks are becoming the order of the day. The East Africa region stands at a unique crossroads because of the immense potential for economic, cultural, and social growth provided the barriers of borders and divisions can be transcended. 

The theme for this year’s Julius Nyerere Symposium is “Building a Borderless East Africa Region”. Building on the success of the Nyerere @100 Symposium in 2022 that put the youth at the forefront of the debates and proposals on development, this year’s Symposium aims to interrogate the challenges, opportunities, and more specifically the strategies needed to foster collaboration and unity in the pursuit of shared prosperity.

The two-day youth-focused event will bring together students, thought leaders, and other stakeholders from across the region to envision and strategize for a more integrated and harmonious future.

Objectives: The symposium aims to:

1. Share Knowledge and Showcase Innovations: Share insights, research findings, and case studies on successful cross-border collaborations within East Africa.
2. Facilitate Dialogue that is Solution Oriented: Provide a platform for open and informed discussions among diverse stakeholders on the benefits and challenges of a borderless East African region. Identify practical solutions, policy recommendations, and actionable steps to overcome barriers and promote integration
3. Cultivate Networks: Encourage networking and relationship-building among participants, fostering partnerships that transcend geographical boundaries.

Themes: The symposium will cover themes that include:

1. Economic Integration / Employment Opportunities / Markets: Exploring the potential benefits of a borderless East African market, including trade, investment, and economic growth.
2. Cultural Exchange: Celebrating the diverse cultures of the region while promoting cultural exchange and understanding to strengthen social ties.
3. Infrastructure and Connectivity: Discussing the need for improved transportation, communication, and technological infrastructure to facilitate seamless cross-border interactions.
4. Environmental Sustainability: Exploring how regional cooperation can address environmental issues, such as climate change, resource management and food security.

Format

The symposium will consist of a mix of keynote speeches, panel discussions, and networking sessions. It will host important thought leaders, academics, policymakers, business leaders, and representatives from civil society.

Expected Outcomes

1. A clearer understanding of the potential benefits of a borderless East African region.
2. Policy recommendations and best practices for promoting integration.
3. An actionable roadmap for fostering cross-border collaborations and initiatives.
4. Strengthened networks among participants to continue discussions and collaborations beyond the event.

Venue: Julius Nyerere Leadership Centre (JNLC) The Yusuf Lule Auditorium, Pool Road. Makerere University.

Dates: October 13^th -14^th 2023

Conclusion

The “Building a Borderless East Africa Region” Symposium is youth focused because of the sheer number of young people in the region and the expectations that it is they who will drive and benefit from changes in the structure and focus of economic and social relationships in the region. By fostering dialogue, sharing knowledge, and cultivating networks, we aim to contribute to a future where geographical borders are no longer barriers, but bridges to shared success and prosperity.

We invite all stakeholders committed to the region’s growth to join us in this transformative journey towards a Borderless East African Community.

PARTICIPANTS

1. STUDENTS FROM DIFFERENT UNIVERSITIES AND INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION
2. STUDENT LEADERSHIP
3. ALUMNI OF JNLC LEADERSHIP TRAININGS
4. NGO FORUM
5. CSOs
6. THE EAC SECRETARIAT
7. EAC LAW SOCIETY
8. NEMA
9. PRIVATE SECTOR FOUNDATION (PSF)
10. NEXT MEDIA
11. MINISTRY OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY
12. MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND SPORTS
13. MWALIMU NYERERE FOUNDATION (MNF)
14. UNIVERSITY OF DAR ES SALAAM
15. MS – TCDC
16. JAKAYA KIKWETE FOUNDATION (JKF)
17. HIGH COMMISSIONS / EMBASSIES:
    1. TANZANIA
    1. KENYA
    1. RWANDA
    1. DRC
    1. SOUTH SUDAN
    1. BURUNDI
    1. CHINA
    1. EGYPT
    1. SOUTH AFRICA
18. KAS
19. PEDN