PROGRAM OVERVIEW JULY 21-July 23, 2023

The University of Toronto African Alumni Association in partnership with African Descent Ontario (ADSON) are pleased to present the annual African Descent Summit, with a theme “Recognition, Justice, and Development”, that will be held at Massey College within the University of Toronto, on Saturday, July 22, 2023.  This conversation is important as we wrap up the “UN International Decade for people of African Descent (UN-IDPAD)” which will officially wind down in 2024. An array of expert speakers and panelists will examine how the past eight and half years have unfolded and to what extent women have been included in this important UN project. The discussions will entail examining the theme Recognition, Justice, and Development through the three panel deliberations herein:

Objective of the summit
• Promoting African arts, culture, and heritage.
• Be a platform for the discussion and reflection on what people of African Descent in Ontario Canada have done to improve African leadership, culture, Art, Health, employment, development, and sustainable development
• Focus on addressing the needs of people of African Descent in Ontario Canada and around the globe, with emphasis on vast cultural diversity and potentials.
• To provide an enabling environment for people of African descent to meet and generate positive conclusions and potential of people of African descent showcase the innovations, skills, abilities, and talents
• To examine, formulate and advocate for key recommendations to be adopted by different people in Ontario Canada and beyond
• To provide participants with opportunity to expand their leadership skill among people of African descent for advancement of opportunities and solutions to conflict and challenges we face
• To empower the less privileged people of African descent through music and art for people of African descent
• To network with African professionals and to learn from each other and share cultural diversity experiences

FRIDAY JULY 21, 2023 – Toronto Pavilion

1:00pm • Exhibitions (Start)
3pm-4pm• Press Conference
3pm -5pm • Networking Session – All International Delegates, Media, Panelists

SATURDAY JULY 22, 2023- Massey College 

• Exhibitions (Ongoing)
• 9: 00 AM Welcome and Opening Remarks

Tentative Agenda: 

  • 10:00 am: Land Acknowledgement -Centre for Indigenous Studies
  • Professor Verne Ross-To bless the Summit.
  • 10:35 am: Keynote Speaker – Government Representative
  • TBA -To be introduced by Hope Birungi, ED, ADSON
  • 10:50 am: Interlude -Networking Social Capital Creation
  • All Delegates
  • 11:00am: Panel One -Evolution of UN-IDPAD
  • Professor Marieme Lo
  • David Kajoba, PhD Candidate
  • Racheal Kalaba, PhD Candidate
  • 11:50 am Interlude -Lunch & Social Capital Creation
  • All Delegates
  • 1:00PM: Panel Two-Significance of the UN-IDPAD Undertaking
  • Mercy Itohan Osayi
  • Kiaunna Bennett
  • K’Mesha Maloney
  • 1:50PM: Interlude- Networking &Social Capital Creation
  • All Delegates
  • 2:00PM: Panel Three-Reflections of the UN-IDPAD Experience
  • Watetu Wa Gichuki, PhD Candidate
  • Dr. David Himbara
  • Dr.De Souza-Kenney(t)
  • 2;50 pm Summit Wrap-up- ADSON&UTAAA Team

Recognition Award Ceremony:  3: 0opm-7pm ends 2am(Toronto Pavilion Main Auditorium)

  • Official opening -Presentation by the President of Canadian Sierraleone Community in Canada
  • Presentation by a young model South Sudanese- Canadian (Sarah Piath)
  • Presentation by the Humanitarian Activist- United by Humanity (Rita Laurence Ngarambe)
  • Presentation on Faith and Culture -(Rev. Eddy Jumba )
  • Presentation of Award
  • 3: 00pm -5:00pm- Recognition of People of African Descent in Canada (Awards) Ceremony

Open Concert – 7:00pm- 2am 

• Multicultural presentation by Artists from various Countries
• African Canadian Artist Presentation

SUNDAY JULY 23, 2023

  • Toronto Historical Site tour