What’s on in July? Listing of events and activities

The following is a listing of events taking place in the UK and overseas this month. For further information, please contact the organisers directly.

1–30 July - The Botswana Art Exhibition, London

An exhibition of art provided by prominent Batswana artists resident at the Thapong Arts Centre, located in ‘the Village’ in Gaborone will be on display at the Royal Commonwealth Society in London.

Sponsored by the United Kingdom Botswana Society, the art will remain on display and available to purchase until the end of July. For further information, contact gasamani@hotmail.com

2 July – CIPD Annual Employment Law Conference, London

Whether you are an HR practitioner, company lawyer, line manager or employment law consultant, this conference offers an annual round-up of recent developments and forthcoming changes in employment law, focusing on the implications for employers and organisations. www.cipd.co.uk/booklaw.

2 July - Opportunity Nigeria, London

Opportunity Nigeria™ is a partnership between the Nigerian British Chamber of Commerce and PIELLE PRAfrica. Since 2006, with the active encouragement and support of Christopher Kolade the then High Commissioner, it has held the only annual major conference business, investment and trade conference in the UK to present Nigeria to the world. This year’s conference has been timed to discuss the new potential for investment, partnerships and supplier opportunities for British business in Nigeria.

The day is chosen to coincide with the visit of a senior delegation from the Nigerian British Chamber of Commerce. It will start with a trade fair and networking event to meet these and other potential partners, and will be followed by the conference led by Ministers and senior executives of UK and Nigerian businesses. Delegates will hear Government plans and policies to help the economy continue its high growth trend, alongside case studies from successful companies already operating in Nigeria. In the evening a reception and dinner will provide a relaxed vehicle for informal networking with delegates and government representatives.

For more information please visit www.opportunitynigeria.com

4 July – African Diaspora Development Day (AD3) 2008, London

How Can Remittances Create Jobs in Africa? AFFORD invites you to a free ‘Question Time’ style public debate from 6.00-9.30 pm at the West Building Lecture Theatre, University of East London(UEL), Docklands Campus, University Way, London E16. The panel includes Ade Dramay (Sierra Leone Diaspora Network - SLDN) (Chair), Leah Mansaray (CEO Fadugu Money Transfer), Yomo Oloko Development Impact for Nigeria - DIFN), Professor S. Nwankwo (Black Business Observatory, UEL), Divine Ndumu (CEO, MoneylineUK) and Andrew Tarazid-Tarawalle (EcoBank, Sierra Leone). To reserve your place, e-mail Onyekachi@afford-uk.org.

5 July - GPA Conference 2008 and Awards Ceremony, London

The annual calendar event, the GPA Awards & Conference will take place at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, Bayswater London. The theme for the conference & awards is ‘Promoting a Paradigm shift: Leadership & Business in Africa’. The GPA Conference which will precede the awards will be held from 10am to 4pm. The awards start at 7.30pm till 11.30pm. The aim of the GPA conference & awards is to address the current leadership development challenge facing Africa and attempt to provide workable solutions to mitigate this challenge. It will also endeavour to provide insights to business leaders in a rapidly changing global economy as well as equip emerging leaders in Africa and the Diaspora with the knowledge tools required to lead in the global millennia. The GPA Awards will seek to provide a platform to stimulate and inspire, celebrate the best in African leadership and attempt to equip future leaders with the knowledge and skills need. Mr. Kofi Annan former UN secretary will be addressing both the conference and Awards as keynote speaker & special guest. Other confirmed Special Guests and speakers include HE Mr. Annan Cato, Ghana High Commissioner to the UK & Ireland, Samia Nkrumah, Journalist & Broadcaster, & Daughter of Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first president & visionary, Hon Oboshie Sai Cofie, Ghana’s Minister for Tourism & Diasporian initiatives, and Dr Nkosana Moyo, Partner Actis Africa and many more. For details and how to register visit http://www.gpaawards.com/more.html

5 July – The Empire Strikes Black 5, Hackney Empire, London

The Empire Strikes Black 5 brings you an all-star line up from stage, television, music and film including Abrantee, Robbie Gee, Kojo, Eddie Nestor and many more. This is the 5th annual fundraiser for Friends of Tafo, a small town in Ghana. The evening features some of the biggest stars of today. There is comedy, dance, music, drama and circus! All proceeds go directly to the community of Kwahu-Tafo (Ghana), ancestral home-town of late actor Gyearbuor Asante, ‘Matthew' in Desmond's. To book tickets: Hackney Empire (http://www.hackneyempire.co.uk/). Telephone: 020 8985 2424. Email: info@hackneyempire.co.uk. For details of the charity: Website: http://www.friendsoftafo.org/ info@friendsoftafo.org

5 July – Twist and Shout, Bernie Grant’s Art Centre, London

For one night only, a hundred of Haringey's young people will take you on a musical mystery tour through the sights and sounds of the Swinging Sixties. Come and see our first performance in our new home at the Bernie Grant's Art Centre, Tottenham. Haringey Shed, an inclusive theatre company, will take you back in time with Twist and Shout - three unique shows featuring some of the dramatic events of an unforgettable decade. The Rock, The Rage and The Rebellion are devised and performed by our Children's, Youth and Hornsey Theatres. The original music has a sixties feel, and is written and performed by the young musicians of the new Shed Band. Performances at: 2pm & 5pm at the Bernie Grant Arts Centre, Town Hall Approach Road, N15 4RX. Advance booking recommended.

6 July – Munyurangabo, Africa at the Pictures

Directed by Lee Isaac Chung, Rwanda/USA, 2007. Africa at the Pictures is a non profit making organization that exists to promote the exhibition and distribution of African film in the UK and Europe. Africa at the Pictures also provides a platform for debate and discussions relating to African Cinema. Now in its 14th year Africa at the Pictures has presented events on contemporary African cinema at a number of major venues across the UK and Europe. In partnership with other institutions Africa at the Pictures has developed an exchange programme between the UK and South Africa, which promotes cooperation and communication between independent film and television makers in the two countries. For more information: http://www.africaatthepictures.co.uk

10 July - Learning & Leadership: Meeting the Skills Needs in the Middle East and North Africa MEA Conference with London Business School, London

The Middle East Association and London Business School are delighted to be co-hosting a Conference on Learning and Leadership in the MENA region at the Regent’s Park campus of the London Business School, which officially launched its Dubai Centre in November 2007. The Conference will address the challenges faced by both the MENA region and the UK in providing appropriate skills training for career development. It will provide a forum for senior representatives from government, the private sector and academia to share their ideas and experience of the challenges involved in developing a highly skilled workforce in the region, and educating tomorrow’s leaders. A Ministerial-led plenary will open this high level conference, followed by panel sessions led by regional and UK experts. The Conference follows the successful launch of the MENA Learning & Leadership Programme jointly developed by the MEA and Compass Rose in partnership with the Emirates Foundation. It also builds on Education for Employability Roundtables organized by the MEA in Cairo in January 2008, and in Abu Dhabi and Dubai in March 2008. Contact Rakesh Ramchurn on rakesh@the-mea.co.uk for more details.

10 July - Understanding Commercial Agreements and Dispute Resolution within the European Union, London

This seminar is an ideal event for businesses that trade with European companies and are interested in gaining an in-depth understanding of commercial agreements and dispute resolutions within the EU area. For full details and a registration form, please contact Isabella T: 020 7203 1826.

14-17 July - HR West Africa, Abuja, Nigeria

IIR South Africa is the organizer of the 2nd HR West Africa Conference. Best practice talent management a global market. Contact Mavis Mazhura on: Tel: +27 (0) 11 771-7150. E-mail: mmazhura@iir.co.za

14 July – ‘Black Women and Employment – A Way Forward’, TUC, London

This is the first time that the TUC has organised an opportunity for black women trade unionists to come together to examine problems facing black women in the workplace The TUC Race Relations Committee is hosting the seminar and speakers addressing the event will be Gloria Mills (Chair of the TUC Race Relations Committee), Professor Geraldine Healy (Queen Mary’s College, University of London), and Zohra Moosa (Fawcett Society). There will be an opportunity for participants to be involved in small roundtable discussion on a number of different topics. The seminar has been organised to provide an opportunity for black women activists to discuss issues that black women face in the employment, prioritise the issues that trade unions need to raise on their behalf, plan a strategy on organising black women in the workplace and making sure that their priority issues are acted on by trade unions. The outcome of the seminar will be used to inform the work of the TUC Race Relations and TUC Women’s Committees and encourage trade unions to be more active on black women's issues. For further information, please call Narmada Thiranagama on 020 7467 1303 or email on narmada@tuc.org.uk . Please note that the closing date for registration is Wednesday 9 July 2008.

17 July – Speed Networking Lunch, North London

Join North London Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise Enfield at the beautiful Forty Hall banqueting Suite in its historical surroundings for this opportunity to take part in some ‘Speed Networking’! A little bit different to our previous speed networking in your seats, this informal ‘speed networking’ event will keep you on the go encouraging you to speak to delegates on the opposite team! Networking is the most effective way to do business so join us for some of Forty Hall’s new ‘bowl food’ whilst making lots of new business contacts. For more information or for booking details www.nlcc.co.uk or contact Margarita Ktoris at mktoris@nlcc.co.uk

18 July – 3rd Annual HR Directors Summit 2008, Johannesburg, South Africa

The Leadership Forum in conjunction with IPM is pleased to invite you to the third annual HR Directors Summit. The Summit is a full-day event, of peer-to-peer exchange in roundtable format with plenary feedback sessions. The theme this year is ‘The Drama of Leadership’ and this year’s programme is rich in opportunities to have you ponder their very real challenges. The Summit is the ideal opportunity for you to listen to as well as share views on your key leadership and business strategies. Contact www.ipm.co.za

19th July - Come and Taste the Commonwealth Flavours, London

Come and taste food from the Commonwealth Countries prepared by the various High Commissions! Mrs. Cecilia Muchemi, wife of the High Commissioner for Kenya and Chair of the Commonwealth Fair 2008, is hosting a luncheon at her residence in London. The luncheon is a joint collaboration by various High Commissioners from Commonwealth Countries to raise funds for the Commonwealth Countries League Education Fund. The CCLEF is committed to changing lives through education and partnership. Last year it raised funds to support 67 girls through secondary education and this year it has taken on 17 girls who were displaced during the recent election crisis in Kenya. There are limited tickets, so get one in advance to ensure you don't miss out on the great flavours from the Commonwealth. If you would like to raise funds at the event by displaying your commonwealth ideas, products or performances, please contact events@networking4professionals.com

22-25 July - The 3rd Annual Audit, Risk & Governance Conference in Africa, Accra, Ghana

The event is expected to attract over 200 of the most prominent figures in Africa to tackle how best to strengthening accountability, transparency & governance practices in business & government. The conference will cover; Audit controls, Compliance & Leadership, Fraud and ICT.

For the third year running, the event has gained the support of major organisations such as the United Nations, the World Bank, various Ministries of Finance, National Audit Offices, Central Banks and CEOS of businesses and anti-corruption pioneers from across Africa. With an unrivalled international speaker panel, this years' event promises to be more popular than ever. The Official Opening Keynote Speech will be by the Honourable Mr. Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu (MP), Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Republic of Ghana. There will be over 35 expert speakers. This elite speaker line up will provide key insights on how attendees can re-invigorate and benchmark their audit strategies to reduce risk within their organisations. The conference is being held by MIS Training Institute, who specialise in Internal Audit, IT Audit and Information Security training. For further information: email jarcher@mistieurope.com http://www.mistieurope.com/default.asp?Page=65&ProductID=6187

23-25 July – 4th Annual Skills Africa Summit 2008, Johannesburg, South Africa

A rare opportunity to benchmark your organisation’s initiatives against well-established companies, who have experienced the same obstacles as you and strived above them, bringing you innovative and solution-focused case studies to measure against. Case studies and presentations will be conducted by leaders in skills development, who have tried and tested various training approaches, and have come out with the most successful and revolutionary initiatives your organisation can implement. http://www.skillsafrica-summit.co.za/index.php?p=register.php

23-27 July - 4th Science & Technology Conference and 3rd Nigeria Diaspora Day, Calabar Nigeria

4th Science and Technology Conference and 3rd Nigeria Diaspora Day will take place at the Tinapa Business Resort in the historic city of Calabar. The 2008 Conference is a follow up to the four previous conferences which were all held in Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital. The theme of this year’s conference is Nigeria and the Diaspora: Utilizing Science and Technology to Drive Vision 2020.

Contact us to tell us about your forthcoming event or to advertise your event with us.