Keynote Address:

10:45 am - 12:45 pm. Plenary Session I – Main Auditorium 

Kenya Vision 2030 – “What is it? What is our role and opportunity?”

Breakout Panel Session I: 2:15pm – 3:15pm

A) Investing & Entrepreneurship Opportunities in Kenya/Diaspora: “Empowering Kenyans the Right Way”

B) The Kenyan-American – “A culture identity crisis” – Building Sustainable Kenyan Communities/Associations to bridge the gap between youth and adults in the Diaspora  

The panel will explore the culture and identity crisis that apparently exits for Kenyan-Americans, primarily children born in the U.S. to Kenyan parents who migrated to the U.S. or children who migrated to Kenya at a very young age and hence have assimilated more of the American culture than they have the Kenyan culture. Where is the disconnect?

C) ICT/Media/Entertainment – “Achievements, role & opportunities in changing Kenya/Diaspora”

This panel will focus on the role that ICT, media, and entertainment can play in the ever changing Kenya and Diaspora. The question on media should be, who is reporting for the Community and is it being done in an effective way? What is that can change and what is the role that the Diaspora can play in bringing change in the way things are done and what is being reported. 

Breakout Panel Session II: 3:20pm – 4:20pm

D) Role of NGOs and Effective Philanthropy to end cycle of poverty in Kenya: 

 The panel will discuss the role NGOs based in the U.S., especially those ran by Kenyans, are playing to end the cycle of poverty in Kenya. Are Kenyans living in the U.S. doing enough, through NGO’s to help eradicate poverty and other social-economic issues in Kenya? If not, why not? What is the underlying reason? If yes, what are the indications that they are doing enough? Are the existing NGO’s actually effective in eradicating poverty and improving social-economic conditions?  How can they be more effective?  Some argue that Americans are more passionate and willing to support Kenyan-ran U.S. based NGO’s than Kenyans residing in the U.S. are. Is this true? If so, what is the underlying reason? What can NGO’s do differently to attract more support from Kenyans? What can Kenyans do as a community to improve the community’s aggregate support of NGOs?  Given that there are very many social-economic needs in Kenya, should NGOs prioritize on what areas to focus or should they follow their passion and focus on the areas they like? Is there a consensus on what areas would have the most impact on eradicating poverty: Is it education, Healthcare, science, entrepreneurship, culture?  Can NGO’s be effective in bringing about change if there is no change in the current political status? i.e. Can NGOs be effective regardless of politics? Can NGOs ignore politics and be effective? Can/should NGO’s engage with the government? If they did, would it make them more effective? What opportunities does technology present for NGOs to be more effective. Some argue to Africa’s biggest problem is simply receiving and never learning to solve its own problems. This case was eloquently made by Dambisa Moyo in her book “Dead AID: Why Aid is not working. Even though she focuses mostly on AID from the West to Africa, is there an argument to be made that NGOs should refocus from simply giving to teaching and building capacity?

F) Personal Empowerment/Career Development – “Realizing Your Full Potential” 

This panel will discuss how youth, students, professionals, and entrepreneurs can realize their full potential through personal empowerment and career development.

 Is it possible to become anything you want and achieve your dreams in America given the challenges of transitioning into a new culture and system or is that simply an unreasonable wish?

   What are the biggest stumbling blocks for students as they start out in America and as they choose their career path and for young professionals trying to develop their careers? How can these stumbling blocks be overcome? What is the best platform to address these stumbling blocks as a community?

Are parents doing enough to empower their kids or are they mostly a stumbling block/hindrance? How can parents be more effective in empowering their kids to pursue their dreams?

  What are some of the Key success factors for high school or college students to succeed in setting a foundation for a successful career besides working hard?

 Some say that Kenyans tend to cluster in to various career fields. Is that true and if so why? Do certain career paths have significant distinct advantages and hence Kenyans should be advised to pursue them? Are there any dangers in this approach?

Are there enough career development and networking groups in the Kenyan community? Are they effective in helping young professionals develop in their careers?

 Joint Group Reporting from break out sessions 

We will hear from representatives from individual break out panels.