By Denis Turyahebwa
The Embassy of France in Uganda in partnership with Makerere University, Konrad Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS), Alliance Française de Kampala (AFK), UN Women, Uganda and the Institute for International and Strategic Affairs (iRiS) has organized the Kampala Geopolitics Conference scheduled to take place from 26th to 27th October 2018,
The two-day conference aims at creating an interactive and dynamic platform for dialogue and free exchange of ideas cutting across contemporary local and international issues
Special focus will be on University students across the country, academia, representatives from civil society, media, political decision-makers, diplomatic community and the general public.
According to the French ambassador HE Stephanie Rivoal, the conference aims at bringing on board professors, researchers, politicians, diplomats, journalists, activists and key leaders to engage in an interactive debate and find solutions to the challenges affecting world’s political and international relations..
She said youth will be taught how to involve themselves in politics in a constructive and positive manner rather than running away from politics especially for the case of Uganda’s situation.
She added that the speaker of the Parliament of Ugandan Hon Rebecca Kadaga, former leader of opposition Winnie Kizza, Maggie Kigozi and more other inspirational women are expected to attend the conference for purposes of gender balance.
Meanwhile,Mathias Kamp, the head of Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung in Kampala says the conference slated for October 26/27 at Makerere University is important for the youth to discuss important issues that affect their lives.
“The strongest pillar of our programme here in Uganda is constructive engagement of young people,” said Mathias.
He emphasised the need for young people to engage in serious debates on critical matters instead of being absorbed by simple narratives on social media.
Key questions pertinent to the conference topics expected to be raised include “What needs to be done – and what is being done – to provide those perspectives? “How can young people be enabled to fully exploit their potentials?” “Are religions peacemakers or trouble makers?”
