TUESDAY JUNE 18 - STUDENT DAY

 

Stanley Kangethe Kamwati, Dean, Mount Kenya University 

Stanley Kangethe Kamwati is a Biomedical Sciences Scientist; Holder of M.Sc(Infectious Diseases) from Kenyatta University  Ph.D(candidate) Molecular Epidemiology , Kenyatta University.  Past work experiences;  Research Scientist Kenya Medical Research Institute for  25years.  Current Position; Dean School of Health Sciences, Mount Kenya University, Senior Lecturer Medical Microbiology and Epidemiology. Chair HIV and AIDS Control Board.
 

Prof. Edith Wakori, Faculty Advisor for the International Health Care Student Association

Professor Edith Wakori is the Faculty Advisor for the International Health Care Student association. She is a Senior Lecturer in Pharmacognosy in the School of Pharmacy at Mount Kenya University. Having studied at the Welsh School of Pharmacy, University of Wales, Cardiff (UD) and the University of Barcelona, she is currently pursuing a doctoral degree. 

 

Isaac Wanjero, CDC/ Nairobi

Isaac Wanjero has a degree in Computer Science and has wide experience in Project Management and providing Microsoft and Cisco solutions. He has been at CDC since January 2004. As IT Advisor he has designed and implemented IT infrastructure solutions for CDC and her partners - for general operations, epidemiology, demographic surveillance and surveys. He has seven years prior IT experience in the energy sector in Kenya and Zimbabwe.  He is married to Margaret; they have three sons - Michael, Christian and Rodney.

 

Simon Nguluu, PhD, Kenya Agricultural Research Institute 

Simon Nguluu, PhD (Soil Science and Plant Nutrition) is a Principal Research Officer with Kenya Agricultural Research Institute. He is stationed at Katumani Research Centre Machakos in Natural Resource Management.  Machakos is one the counties in the semi-arid areas of Kenya. Dr. Nguluu has over 20 years research experience in research in natural resource management.
 

Henry Sila Nzioki,  Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) Role of the environment in promoting health in Kenya

 

WEDNESDAY JUNE 19 - COMING TOGETHER FOR JUSTICE AND PEACE   

 

PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS          

 

Workshop 1  -   Participatory Action Research 

 

Dr. Elias Mokua Nyatete, SJ, Director of the Jesuit Hakimani Centre

The Jesuit Hakimani Centre is dedicated to the study and action on issues of social justice and peace building through group training, thematic research, publications and media. Hakimani uses docudrama, participatory group learning projects, psychosocial support and problem-based learning exercises to educate and empower individuals and communities to tackle both structural and cultural violence and promote transformative peace and healing interventions. The centre develops participatory media platforms for advocacy on both local and global issues with media research, development communication and media diplomacy to build supportive communication for civic education and debates on public issues.

 

Patricia K. Felkins, Ph.D., School of Communication, Loyola University Chicago

Dr. Felkins is an associate professor in Public Relations and Organizational Communication in the School of Communication. She is also the co-founder and vice president of the Africa Circle of Hope Foundation (www.africacircleofhope.org). As a consultant she has worked with a variety of organizations. Her primary areas of teaching and research are in nonprofit and organizational communication, public relations, and community development.  Dr. Felkins has just finished her fifth book, The Nonprofit Factor.  She has been traveling to Kenya for more than 10 years working with women’s entrepreneurship programs, education for children orphaned by AIDS, community public health initiatives, culture media and arts, and community technology.   Email: kfelkin@luc.edu. 

 

Fr. Elias Kinoti Kithuri, Community Psychology

Fr. Kithuri is from Meru Kenya. Over the past several years he has been working on his doctorate and serving as a research assistant at the DePaul Center for Community Research in Chicago.  His specialization is in international public service management and community psychology. He has an M.A. and M.S. degree in Community Psychology and is now completing his Ph.D. in this area. Fr. Kithuri has worked with substance abuse treatment and recovery- program development in implementation and evaluation. His experience also includes policy analysis and community initiatives in areas of poverty, health, justice and peace, and civil engagements.  He is especially interested in the development of collaborative initiatives in organizational and community settings with an emphasis on research, implementation and evaluation of process and outcomes.

 

 

Workshop 2 - Digital Media Applications 

 

Jamason Chen, M.A., School of Communication, Loyola University Chicago 

As the Manager of Technology for the School of Communication, Jamason Chen helped plan and develop a state-of-the-art convergence studio in Chicago including television, radio and online media facilities.  He teaches photojournalism at Loyola University and is an ardent photographer and a talented museum exhibit curatorm, critic and Society of Photographic Education portfolio reviewer.  He brings a broad range of experience and skills in both audio/visual media and computer technology. Previously Chen worked as an instructor and engineer at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, and for O’Connors Pte Ltd, also in Singapore, and as an engineer/producer at Shanghai Film Studios. Chen have been involved in design and installation of media production facilities in School of Communication Studies at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Minnesota and School of Communication at Loyola Universioty Chicago in the US. Jamason holds a M.A. in Mass Communication from the University of Minnesota and a B.S. in Computer Science from East China Normal University.

 

John Goheen, School of Communication, Loyola University Chicago

A 12-time Emmy award winner, John Goheen has spent a long distinguished career in television news.  He has also worked as a free lance producer and photographer for Dateline NBC, ESPN, the BBC, and 60 Minutes. Goheen has been honored three times as the National Press Photographer’s Association Television News Photographer of the Year. As an independent filmmaker John has also won a dozen awards from major film festivals including the Best of Festival King Foundation Award. ?As a documentary filmmaker, Goheen has covered war and conflicts around the world.  One of his films is about the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti.  John Goheen teaches Introduction to Video, Video Documentary and multi-media production courses at Loyola University. 

 

 

Workshop 3 - Funding Options

 

Susan Clarke, MA, MA, LPC, Assistant Director Research Development, Funding Specialist, Loyola University Chicago

 Susan Clarke writes and coordinates grants for the Graduate School, assists faculty with finding funding, facilitates and edits faculty grants, oversees the ORS faculty research interest database and grants notification system and ensures that faculty receive relevant opportunities, and is responsible for ORS and Graduate School publications. Susan has a Master’s in Experimental and Physiological Psychology from U.C. Davis. She has taught experimental research and design, and has substantial experience in all aspects of grants development.  Prior to joining Loyola, she served as Development Director for a Chicago-area youth social services agency, acquiring several multi-year federal grants and doubling the agency’s revenues.  She has been successful in increasing the number and size of grants awarded to Loyola University.   

 

Kim C. Williamson, Ph.D. Department of Biology, Loyola University Chicago

Dr. Williamson received a Ph.D. from Boston University and then did a post-doctoral fellowship at the National Institutes of Health in the Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases before joining the faculty at Loyola University Chicago.  She is currently a Professor in the Department of Biology. The focus of her research is the molecular basis of malaria transmission. Specific projects include identifying the molecular mechanisms involved in Plasmodium sexual differentiation and mosquito infectivity, as well as gametocytocidal drug development. Her research is currently funded by two major grants from the National Institutes of Health and one from the Malaria Vaccine Initiative, PATH. Her teaching interests include Immunology, Cell & Molecular Biology, and Molecular Pathology. She also serves on the editorial board of Parasitology Research, the BEI Resources Scientific Working Group, and the College of the Center for Scientific Review, National Institutes of Health.  Dr. Williamson is a prolific researcher who has received major grant funding for multiple projects.

 

WELCOME REMARKS

Rev. Dr. Pius Rutechura, Vice Chancellor, Catholic University of Eastern Africa 

 

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Rev. Dr. Bishop Lawi Imathiu, Kenya National Peace Ambassador

Bishop Imathiu is a former member of Parliament from 1975-1980, Bishop of the World Methodist Church, founder of Kenya Methodist University and president of the founding board of Meru University College of Science and Technology. He has M.Div. from Claremont Theological College and honorary doctorates from Emory University and West Virginia Wesleyan.  He is a respected national leader in grassroots peace initiatives bringing together religious, business and community leaders and young people. Bishop Imathiu is the Founder and Director of Thiiri Centre for Culture, Music and Community Development in Meru.  He is also an accomplished musician. His lifelong mission for peace was recognized when he received the World Methodist Council Peace Award in 2005. Bishop Imathiu continues to work for peace through dialogue, education and economic development in Kenya.

 

 

THURSDAY JUNE 20 - THINKING AND WORKING TOGETHER    

 

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

 

Halkano Bukuno Dofata, Director, Children Peace Initiative Kenya

As the Executive Director of the Children Peace Initiative Kenya, Mr. Halkano helped to reduce incidents of inter-ethnic violence and increased interaction and interdependence in the pastoral communities of Northern Kenya.  He was involved in many conflict resolution processes.  As program coordinator for the Justice and Peace Program of the Catholic Diocese of Marsabit, he designed innovative peace building interventions where children provide the bridge. Peace camps and a Youth Peace Ambassadors exchange program engage youth from different groups to work in the community to promote peace.  He has a degree from Pontifical Urbanian University in Rome and post-graduate diploma from CUEA.  He has extensive training and experience in peace building, conflict analysis and intervention, non-violent action, and intercultural negotiation and mediation.

 

Sr. Florence Muia, Founder of Upendo Village

Sr. Florence is founder and director of Upendo Village in Naivasha, Kenya, for people living with HIV/AIDS. She is a member of the Assumption Sisters of Nairobi.  In 2005 she was among those nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize as part of the 1000 Peace Women project which identified 1000 distinguished women from around the world to represent the millions of women who work for international understanding, cooperation and peace. She is an HIV/AIDS advocate for prevention and treatment funding and support to impoverished countries. Sr. Florence has a diploma in Social Sciences from CUEA and a master’s degree in Pastoral Counseling from Loyola University Chicago.  Sr. Florence is the recipient of Rotary International’s Paul Harris Fellow Award for furtherance of better understanding among peoples of the world and the Damen Award from Loyola University Chicago.  

 

PANEL TRACK LEADERS

 

EDUCATION  

 

Fr. Michael Schultheis, SJ, Vice Chancellor of Catholic University of South Sudan

Fr.Michael Schultheis studied theology and philosophy at Gonzaga University and obtained an M.A. at the Saint Mary's University of Minnesota.  He completed a Ph.D. degree in economics at Cornell University with a focus on the International Agricultural Development and was responsible for the Center of Concern in Washington, DC, a Catholic think tank on international development. Fr. Schultheis was one of the founders of the Jesuit Refugee Service, a global organization for the care of refugees and migrants, and was for eleven years working at JRS in the Secretariat General of the Order in Rome and Director of JRS for Africa in Nairobi. He has spent more than 20 years as a professor and educational leader in Tanzania, Uganda, Mozambique and Malawi teaching at Makerere University in Uganda and at the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. At Catholic University of Mozambique, he initiated the first academic degree and developed a research and documentation center. He was from 2002 to 2005 the first President of the Catholic University in Ghana. In 2007 he became the founding president of the Catholic University of South Sudan. 

 

Fr. Joseph Oduor Afulo, SJ, East Africa Province

Fr. Joseph Oduor Afulo SJ received his doctorate in Education from Marquette University. He is the Formation Director in the Eastern Africa Province of the Society of Jesus, chairperson of the Academic Committee in the Governing Board of Regina Pacis University College, member of the board of St. Aloysius Gonzaga Secondary School and Loreto Convent Msongari Schools.  He was also Principal of Hekima College. His specialization is in education policy and leadership in higher education. He has been serving in administrative Internships in Higher Education at several universities in the U.S. including Creighton, Marquette University and the University of Detroit Mercy. He is a member of the American Education Research Association. His focus is on the challenges facing higher education in East Africa. As an experienced educator, Fr. Afulo is a leader in university development and administration.

 

Sr. Candida Njeri Mukundi, Principal, Regina Pacis University College

As Principal of Regina Pacis University College (RPUC), Sr. Candida has been a leader in developing the college, which has grown rapidly with students, staff and programs since it was opened in 2010. RPUC is sponsored by the Assumption Sisters of Nairobi and a constituent college of Catholic University of Eastern Africa. The college offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, a certificate in Community Health Development and an Advanced Diploma in Medical Education.  Sr. Candida has a doctorate in Education and Leadership with a specialization in higher education and a master’s in Education Planning.   She has worked in various positions in education and administration at both the high school and university levels.  

 

Catherine Machyo, Faculty of Education, Catholic University of Eastern Africa

Catherine is a lecturer in the Faculty of Education.  She has a Masters in Education and Masters in Business Administration with a specialization in entrepreneurship. Currently she is pursuing a Ph.D. in strategic entrepreneurship. She has worked at Catholic University of Eastern Africa for the last 15 years and has conducted research and published in education and entrepreneurship areas. Catherine has also focused on human rights especially gender issues and HIV/AIDS. She is also the coordinator of the Aids Control Unit at the Catholic university of Eastern Africa. She has been an advocate in promoting access to education for women and girls in Kenya.

 

Jacqueline Ader, Center for the Human Rights of Children, Loyola University Chicago

Jacqueline Ader is in Loyola’s Master of Social Work program and part of a collaborative research project focusing on the experience and needs of orphan youth transitioning out of care and into adulthood. This team involves faculty and students from Loyola’s Social Work and Education Departments collaborating with the International Organization for Adolescents (IOFA) and Loyola’s Center for the Human Rights of Children. The research evaluates a skills-based preparatory curriculum implemented by IOFA staff in several Ethiopian orphan care institutions in 2012. Another component is analyzing focus groups and individual interviews conducted with Ethiopian orphans to gain more understanding of the experience and challenges of transitioning out of care, as well as the needs of these youth. Jackie spent last summer interning at TransMara Children’s Home.
 

Rev. Prof. Juvenalis Baitu, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Catholic University of Eastern Africa

Rev. Prof. Baitu is the Deputy Vice Chancellor/Administration at CUEA and the founding Director of the Centre for Social Justice and Ethics.  Fr. Baitu is a professor of Moral Theology with specialization in Social Political Ethics. He is the holder of the Papal Medal of recognition for his contribution to the ratification of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, and was appointed by the Holy Father Pope Benedict VI to the Synod on Reconciliation, Justice and Peace.  He is a member of the Association of African Theologians and the Institute of Research in African Theology.  Rev. Prof. Baitu has authored numerous articles and books on issues related to social justice and ethics.  He has participated as a leader in conferences, workshops and seminars both locally and internationally.

HEALTH/MEDICINE

 

Regina Conway-Phillips, Ph.D.,RN Niehoff School of Nursing, Loyola University Chicago

Regina Conway-Phillips teaches in the undergraduate health systems management and nursing programs at the Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing.  The courses she has taught include research for health professionals, introduction to professional nursing practice, health care of vulnerable populations, individual, family and community wellness and health, professional role development: researcher, and leadership for nursing. Regina Conway-Phillips’ research interests are in the areas of cancer and health disparities and spirituality.  Her dissertation research focused on breast cancer screening behavior in African American women.  Her research will be expanding in collaboration with African health professionals and scholars. She is the faculty advisor for the 2015 Nursing Student Council.

 

Prof. Mary N. Getui, Ph.D. , Chairperson, National AIDS Control Council

Prof Getui was appointed Chair of the National AIDS Control Council in 2009. She leads the organization in its mission to provide policy and a strategic framework for mobilizing and coordinating resources for prevention of HIV transmission and provision of care and support to the infected and affected people in Kenya. Strategic objectives for NACC are to reduce the number of new infections by at least 50% and AIDS-related mortality by 25%, and to reduce the socio-economic impact of HIV at the household and community level. Prof Getui is actively engaged in community initiatives relating to youth, family, health and education. She has a Ph.D. in Religious Education and is a professor in the Religious Studies Department, Catholic University of Eastern Africa. Prior to that, she was Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at Kenyatta University. Her substantial research and publications cover religion, culture, education, gender, peace and leadership. She has been a leader in professional associations including the World Forum for Theology and Liberation, Association for the African Study of Religions, Circle of African Women Theologians, Ecumenical Association of Third World Theologians and the Association of African Women in Research and Development.

 

J. K Magambo, Ph.D. Vice Chancellor, Meru University College of Science and Technology

 

Kim Williamson, Ph.D., Department of Biology, Loyola University Chicago 

Kim C. Williamson received a Ph.D. from Boston University with a post-doctoral fellowship at the National Institutes of Health in the Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases before joining the faculty at Loyola University Chicago.  She is currently a Professor in the Department of Biology. Her research focuses on the molecular basis of malaria transmission. Specific projects include identifying the molecular mechanisms involved in Plasmodium sexual differentiation and mosquito infectivity, as well as gametocytocidal drug development.  This work is currently funded by two major grants from the National Institutes of Health and one from the Malaria Vaccine Initiative, PATH. She teaches Immunology, Cell & Molecular Biology, and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Williamson also serves on the editorial board of Parasitology Research, the BEI Resources Scientific Working Group, and the Center for Scientific Review, National Institutes of Health.

 

Dr. Katrina Ordóñez, D.C. serves as Chiropractic Director of a Chiro One Wellness Center in the U.S. Ordóñez received her associate’s degree at the University of La Verne where she studied biology and chemistry. Dr. Katrina later attended Southern California University of Health Sciences where she earned her doctorate of chiropractic degree.  She also studied acupuncture and oriental medicine for three years and is a practicing vegan. Her community health public service initiatives include providing free chiropractic care at the “Being Alive” HIV/AIDS Center and the Homeless and Half-Way Home Center.  She has traveled to Mexico and South America to provide free chiropractic and acupuncture care.  Her mission is to heal and educate people globally to achieve a healthier lifestyle. She has substantial expertise in natural healing and nutrition as part of a holistic approach to health and wellness.  

 

Dr. Margaret Nduta Githae PhD, Head of Health Sciences Department, RPUC

Margaret Nduta has over 15 years of diverse experience in training, education, and research in health and development, including application of quality and performance improvement tools and approaches to improve access to health care for populations living in rural communities and urban slums. Until September 2003, Margaret was the Health Services coordinator of the Catholic Diocese of Eldoret of Kenya. In this position, she was responsible for facilitation and formulation of health policy in ensuring optimal performance of health providers. She then became a Centre Director/Lecturer of Community Health and Development at Great Lakes University in Kisumu. Currently Dr. Nduta serves as the Head of the Health sciences Department (Nursing, Community Health and Development, Medical Education) at Regina Pacis University College. Her focus is promotion of community service through a participatory approach, community health operational research, and strengthening community health programs and health facility information systems.

 

Prof. Japhet Kithinji  Magambo, Vice Chancellor Meru University of Science and Technology

Prof. Magambo has a Ph.D. with specialization in Immunoparasitology from the University of New Brunswick and a MSc from the University of Wales. He was the Founding Director of the Institute of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases and Chairman of the Kenya Medical Laboratory Technicians and Technologists Board.  Magambo has been a consultant to the Africa Medical and Research Foundation in community based health programmes.  His research interest is in epidemiology and the control of parasitic and infectious diseases.  He assisted in the establishment of the Faculty of Health Sciences and was appointed Acting Dean at Kenya Methodist University.   In 2010 he was appointed Principal of Meru University College of Science and Technology and provided vision and leadership as the institution grew. Prof. Magambo became the Vice Chancellor when the university received its charter in 2013 as Meru University of Science and Technology. 

 

TECHNOLOGY/MEDIA

 

Dr. Elias Mokua Nyatete, SJ, Director of the Jesuit Hakimani Centre

Dr. Nyatete has substantial experience as a journalist and media manager. He worked at the Vatican Radio before moving to Tanzania where he developed skills in using radio for development. He worked with local Tanzanian community in Ngara to develop participatory programs through radio to address issues of farming and HIV/AIDS. He has experience in media and conflict as director of Radio Kwizera in Ngara, Tanzania serving refugees from Rwanda and Burundi. He also worked with UNHCR and UNICEF and continues to partner with institutions engaged in transnational media, politics, peace building and research programs. Elias has produced video documentaries and dramas broadcast on national televisions in Kenya and Tanzania. He recently completed filming a TV series, The Rally, featuring political campaigns in Kenya. In addition to being a lecturer in media studies, Elias is currently the Executive Director of Jesuit Hakimani, a Centre for social concern in the Eastern Africa region. He has an MA in Social Communication from the Gregorian University, Rome, and Doctorate in Journalism, from The University of Melbourne, Australia. 

 

Benjamin Makai, Safaricom, Public Sector & Community Solutions

Benjamin Makai is Product Manager of Public Sector & Community Solutions for Safaricom (K) Ltd.  This includes new products commercialization, enterprise product strategy and innovation. He was the East and Southern Africa Programme Manager for Computer Aid International from 2006-2012.  He has extensive experience as a consultant, administrator and analyst with government and business in developing technology projects and innovative digital solutions.  His projects include an integrated mobile maternal newborn and child information platform, e-inclusion for blind students, equipping libraries with ICT, e-waste solutions, rural telemedicine, and community technology centers.  He has an MBA in Strategic Management from the University of Nairobi and a degree in Computer Science from Egerton University.  

 

Kennedy Odongo, Program Coordinator, Citizen Radio

Kennedy Odongo Leakey, known in the Kenya music and entertainment industry as Kennet B, is a spoken-word poet with a focus on issues of social justice and peace. He won the Slam Africa Poetry Championships in Kenya in 2009 and participated in the UN Habitat Messenger of Truth Concert. He is a performance artist, music producer, and co-host of a popular live poetry and music show on Citizen Radio under Royal Media Services.  Kennet B has recorded four albums and produced successful songs for some top musicians in Kenya. He is an advocate for protecting the environment and HIV/AIDS education. Through Citizen Media community outreach promotions he has connected with youth throughout Kenya.  He is committed to working with young poets and musicians to help them develop their skills and to increasing awareness of social issues through workshops, performances and media programs.

 

Tom Marentette, Lead Digital Architect, University of Notre Dame

Tom Marentette is in the Office of Information Technologies leading the execution of enterprise digital media strategy and Information and Communications Technology for Development (ICT4D) efforts. As a project manager he has also coordinated enterprise network infrastructure and emergency communications. He has designed and deployed technology and mobile solutions in the developing world. Since 2010, Tom has served on the Board of Directors of BOSCO-Uganda, an NGO working in northern Uganda focused on using solar powered Wi-Fi Internet, ICT training and collaborative applications to connect people and preserve culture. Tom is a consultant to several nonprofits and International NGOs. He is on Twitter at @tmarente.

 

Jamason Chen, M.A., School of Communication, Loyola University Chicago 

As the Manager of Technology for the School of Communication, Jamason Chen helped plan and develop a state-of-the-art convergence studio in Chicago including television, radio and online media facilities.  He teaches photojournalism at Loyola University and is an ardent photographer and a talented museum exhibit curatorm, critic and Society of Photographic Education portfolio reviewer.  He brings a broad range of experience and skills in both audio/visual media and computer technology. Previously Chen worked as an instructor and engineer at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, and for O’Connors Pte Ltd, also in Singapore, and as an engineer/producer at Shanghai Film Studios. Chen have been involved in design and installation of media production facilities in School of Communication Studies at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Minnesota and School of Communication at Loyola Universioty Chicago in the US. Jamason holds a M.A. in Mass Communication from the University of Minnesota and a B.S. in Computer Science from East China Normal University.

 

ENVIRONMENT

 

Prof. Mary Abukutsa-Onyango, Ph.D., Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

Prof. Abukutsa is an internationally recognized scholar and prolific researcher who holds a PhD in Horticultural Sciences, has over 20 years of university teaching experience, and has led more than 20 multidisciplinary research projects with over 100 publications. Her honors include awards of recognition for her pioneering research on African indigenous vegetables: the 1st position CTA woman scientist, AU 1st prize woman scientist for Earth and Live Sciences and the EBS Presidential award.  She has actively advocated for strategic repositioning of indigenous vegetables in the Horticulture sector for food security, income and sustainable development in Africa.  Her current research is focused on NERICA rice and conservation plants.

 

Prof. George William Otim-Nape, Ph. D.   Africa Innovations Institute

Professor Otim-Nape is recognized as one of East Africa’s leading agricultural and rural development experts. He is an authority on cassava, science and innovations policy, and organizational development. He has published widely on this subject and is a Fellow of the Uganda National Academy of Sciences and has received many international and national awards for his scientific achievements. He is the founder chairman of Africa Innovations Institute (AfrII), based in Kampala. AfrII (www.afrii.org) is a not-for-profit non-governmental centre of excellence. To achieve its vision, the institute pursues research on innovations that transform the lives and income of smallholder farmers while ensuring food security and environmental sustainability. Its current programmes are integrated crop and livestock disease management; commodity value chains and enterprise development; climate change adaptation and mitigation; capacity and institutional development.

 

Simon Nguluu, Ph.D., Kenya Agricultural Research Institute  

Dr. Nguluu is a Principal Research Officer with the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute specializing in Soil Science and Plant Nutrition. He is stationed at Katumani Research Centre Machakos in Natural Resource Management.  Machakos is one the counties in the semi-arid areas of Kenya.  Dr. Nguluu has over 20 years experience in research in natural resource management.

 

Kaburu M’Ribu Ph.D., Agricultural Consultant, Secretary of Kenya National Farmers Federation

Prof. M’Ribu is currently a consultant in agriculture, rural development, education and natural resources. From 2009-2011 he was the Vice Chancellor of Gresta University in Thika, Kenya. At Kenya Methodist University he was the Director of Academic Affairs, Postgraduate Studies, Research and Extension, and Chair of the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Before that he served as an extension officer in the Ministry of Agriculture and Deputy Director of the Pyrethrum and Horticultural Research Station. He is Board Chairman of the Coffee Research Foundation and a member of the Regional Kenya Agricultural Productivity and Agribusiness Programme. He has authored research papers in genetic resources management, biotechnology and tissue culture, small holder production systems, dryland agriculture, irrigation and water management.

Genevieve A. Mwayuli, Ph.D., Dean Faculty of Science, Catholic University of Eastern Africa

Dr. Mwayuli has a Ph.D. from the School of Environmental Studies at Moi University.  She is currently an Associate Professor in Biology and former Chair of the Natural Sciences Department.  As an aquatic ecologist and environmentalist she has conducted extensive research in global uses of seaweed and horticulture fish integration.  She has also worked to support more women scientists and engineers in Kenya and develop strategies to attract girls into the sciences.  Prof. Mwayuli received a National Council for Science and Technology research grant for a project on fish and fisheries wastes/by-products into aquafeed. She was also on the Commission for Higher Education funded research project to improve food security among small-scale farmers through integrated horticulture-aquaculture.

 

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

 

Kenneth Mujau Mugambi, Ph.D., Kenya Methodist University

Dr. Mugambi is currently the Director of the Nyeri Campus of Kenya Methodist University where he is responsible for the administration of the campus. From 2008-2013 he was Chairman of the Department of Business Administration at Kenya Methodist University.  

 In 2013 he will complete his Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Kwazulu, Natal, South Africa. He has an MA in Economics from the University of Nairobi.  He also served as an economist and senior statistician for the Ministry of Planning and National Development in Kenya.   His research focuses on economic issues with a special emphasis on women’s entrepreneurship and micro and small enterprises.  He has also examined the factors affecting food supply in Kenya. 

 

Kathleen Harrison, Ph.D., Founder HARAMBEE

In 2005 Dr. Kathleen Harrison founded HARAMBEE (www.projectharambee.org), a nonprofit organization assisting those affected by HIV in Africa with community development projects in education, economics, and health care.   HARAMBEE also supports income-generating activities including beekeeping, dairy goats, chickens, and pigs.  Other entrepreneurship projects help women’s co-ops in Kibera such as the Women’s Power Group and support medical education with “Grow a Doc.” Dr. Harrison is a social activist who trained as a geneticist at Fordham University and Columbia College of Physicians & Surgeons. While traveling and teaching she became interested in global health and socioeconomic determinants of health and quality of life.  Email harambee.work@sbcglobal.net. 

 

Margaret Mwari Mburugu, Director, Fountain Enterprise

Currently Margaret Mwari is a director and outreach coordinator with the Fountain Enterprise Program. This investment program encourages and supports collaborative entrepreneurship ranging from real estate to farming and business ventures. She is a grandmother and a local farmer who has developed several successful small businesses. Margaret has also organized local women’s groups in entrepreneurial initiatives including crafts and banana farming and developed distribution networks in regional and national markets. She served as Dean of Students at Meru Teachers College before she retired. One of her major contributions to education was producing an "Education for Life" program with funding from the Ford Foundation to develop workshops and training sessions for schools, churches and community groups working with youth and parents. She has also been active in national community development funding committees. Margaret is a prominent business leader and serves on several education and development boards.  

 

Kate Fletcher, Founder and Executive Director, Hekima Place Home for Girls

Kate Fletcher has a Masters of Public Health in Administrative Health Care from the University of Pittsburg. She came to Africa ten years ago to volunteer at Nyumbani Children's Home in Karen.  After two years she took the lead in establishing an orphanage for girls orphaned by AIDS. Hekima Place was founded in August, 2005 and began with ten children. Today it serves 68 girls from one year to university level. There are 24 staff members with a Mum for each 10 girls in a cottage they call home. The compound is aiming for self sufficiency with a four-acre farm, two greenhouses, five cows, six goats, and hundreds of chickens for meat and eggs. It seeks to be environmentally friendly with a BioBox for recycling all water.  Hekima Place focuses on education, entrepreneurship and empowerment for girls.

 

 

INTERFAITH INITIATIVES

 

Sr. Elizabeth Nduku, Ph.D. Director, Center for Social Justice and Ethics, CUEA

Sr. Elizabeth has a Ph.D. in Educational Administration. She has taught courses in educational leadership, peace building, change management and conflict management. Dr. Nduku was appointed Director of the Centre for Social Justice and Ethics at Catholic University of Eastern Africa in 2010 after serving as Acting Director. She is also a Lecturer at the Institute of Spirituality and Religious Formation at Tangaza College. Her work includes hosting the “Social Encounter” program on Radio Waumini. She has also coordinated workshops on Social Teaching of the Church to Women Peace Makers. The Centre for Social Justice and Ethics seeks to empower stakeholders on social cultural issues to enable them to engage in justice and peace, human rights, equity and participatory leadership. Current outreach programs include Kenya Youth for Peace Initiative and Circles of Peace and Restorative Justice.

 

Halkano Bukuno Dofata, Director, Children Peace Initiative Kenya

 As the Executive Director of the Children Peace Initiative Kenya, Mr. Halkano helped to reduce incidents of inter-ethnic violence and increased interaction and interdependence in the pastoral communities of Northern Kenya.  He was involved in many conflict resolution processes.  As program coordinator for the Justice and Peace Program of the Catholic Diocese of Marsabit, he designed innovative peace building interventions where children provide the bridge. Peace camps and a Youth Peace Ambassadors exchange program engage youth from different groups to work in the community to promote peace.  He earned a degree from Pontifical Urbanian University in Rome and post-graduate diploma from CUEA.  He has extensive training and experience in peace building, conflict analysis and intervention, non-violent action, and intercultural negotiation and mediation.

 

James Garbarino, Ph.D. Humanistic Psychology, Loyola University Chicago

Dr. James Garbarino holds the Maude C. Clarke Chair in Humanistic Psychology and was founding Director of the Center for the Human Rights of Children at Loyola University Chicago. He is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association. Dr. Garbarino has served as consultant or advisor to a wide range of organizations, including the National Committee to Prevent Child Abuse, the National Institute for Mental Health, the American Medical Association, the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Advisory Board on Child Abuse and Neglect, and the FBI. In 1991 he undertook missions for UNICEF to assess the impact of the Gulf War upon children in Kuwait and Iraq, and has served as a consultant for programs serving child refugees. He has authored or edited more than 20 books related to children and violence. He has won many national and international awards for his work. In 2011, he received an award from the American Orthopsychiatric Association for contributions to the prevention of genocide.

 

Rev. Dr. Frederick N. Mvumbi, O.P. Dean of Arts and Social Sciences CUEA

Dr. Mvumbi is a Dominican Catholic priest from Democratic Republic of Congo. He has a MA in Comparative Religions for the University of Ibadan and a Ph.D. in Religious Studies. He has published books and journal articles on Islam and Christian-Muslim dialogue and has developed guidelines and training for the Inter-religious Dialogue Commission of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria. Dr. Mvumbi taught Islamics at the University of Ibadan, the Dominican Institute in Ibadan, the Major Seminary of All Saints/Ephoma-Nigeria and the Baptist Seminary in Ogbomosho-Nigeria. He is a senior lecturer at The Catholic University of Eastern Africa and Tangaza College in Islamic Studies and has been Head of Department of Religious Studies at CUEA. His major publications on this topic include Journey into Islam, An Attempt to Awaken Christians in Africa, with a focus on building the unity of all the people of God, particularly Christians and Muslims. He has also written The Identity of Christ in Islam and edited Interfaith Dialogue: Towards a Culture of Working Together.

 

 

FRIDAY JUNE 21 - ACTION AND OUTREACH   

 

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS       

 

Maurice Otieno Ombok, Executive Director, Bondo Institute for Development and Technology

Otieno Ombok has extensive experience and competencies in peace building, conflict resolution, human rights and community development. He has been a leader in peace initiatives, resources and training, including the Mkenya Diaima Campaign.  Mr. Ombok has traveled in Africa, Europe and Asia with activities related to peace education. He has an M.A. in Peacebuilding from Katholik University in Belgium.  He has co-published for Peacenet “Healing the Nation” Peacebuilding Manual, edited the Active Non-Violence Training Manual for Chemchemi Ya Ukweli, worked on Inter-Religious Dialogue materials, and developed a Security and Peace research report for Oxfam.  Mr. Ombok is the Chair of the Participatory Methodologies Forum of Kenya, a trainer with Action Aid Basic Needs, Basic Rights Campaign and Amani People’s Theatre, and a consultant with the Peace and Development Network Trust.

 

Sr. Mary Owens, Executive Director, Nyumbani Children of God Relief Institute

Sister Mary Owens I.B.V.M., M.Ed., MBACP (Snr. Accred), is co-founder of the Children of God Relief Institute - Nyumbani, established in 1992 as a residential outreach to children living with HIV. She is currently the Executive Director. The program expanded over the years into a Community-Based service, Lea Toto, a Diagnostic Laboratory, and later into a Village serving the two 'left behind' generations of the HIV pandemic: family groups of children whose parents have passed away and aged destitute grandparents left to care for their grandchildren. Nyumbani currently cares for over 4,200 children and 100 grandparents. Sister Mary Owens was formerly Principal of Loreto High School, Limuru and Counsellor in Kenyatta University.

 

 

INTEGRATION PANEL

Representatives from Business, Government, Nonprofits, Community, and Education

 

Rev. Prof. Juvenalis Baitu, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Catholic University of Eastern Africa

Rev. Prof. Baitu is the Deputy Vice Chancellor/Administration at CUEA and the founding Director of the Centre for Social Justice and Ethics.  Fr. Baitu is a professor of Moral Theology with specialization in Social Political Ethics. He is the holder of the Papal Medal of recognition for his contribution to the ratification of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, and was appointed by the Holy Father Pope Benedict VI to the Synod on Reconciliation, Justice and Peace.  He is a member of the Association of African Theologians and the Institute of Research in African Theology.  Rev. Prof. Baitu has authored numerous articles and books on issues related to social justice and ethics.  He has participated as a leader in conferences, workshops and seminars both locally and internationally.

 

Hugh Burton, International and US Mergers & Acquisitions

Hugh Burton is the Chief Financial Officer at Webb deVlam, an intentional brand strategy and packaging design agency, and Managing Director at Tavistock Group Ltd., which specializes in international mergers and acquisitions.  His MBA is in International Business and Marketing from Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management.  He is a Fellow, Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales and a member of the British American Business Council.

 

Rev.  Prof. Peter I. Gichure, Director of Academic Linkages, CUEA  -  Panel Moderator 

As Director of Linkages, Dr. Gichure develops local and global partnerships and collaborations with universities, businesses and community organizations to advance the educational and social mission of CUEA. His MA is from Notre Dame in Peace Studies and his Ph.D. from Leuven in Religious Studies. He is an Associate Professor in Dogmatic Theology at Catholic University of Eastern Africa. One of his areas of specialization is conflict resolution and management. He has taught courses including Violence and Reconciliation, Justice and Peace, and Human Rights Teaching of the Church. Rev. Prof. Gichure is Executive Secretary of the Association of Catholic Universities and Higher Institutes of Africa and Madagascar (ACUHIAM) and Theological Advisor to the Catholic Justice and Peace Commission.

 

Dr. Kamal Bhattacharya, Director IBM Research Center- Africa

Dr. Kamal Bhattacharya is an IBM Distinguished Engineer and the inaugural director of the IBM Research - Africa lab, established in 2012 in Nairobi. Researchers at the lab address key challenges of the African continent through commercially viable innovations that impact people's lives. The lab is focused on technologies around smarter cities, next generation public services, human capability development and financial inclusion. Since joining IBM in 1999, Kamal has been working on significant innovations in the services industry. He is a leader in business transformation and global outsourcing.  Dr. Kamal Bhattacharya is widely recognized at international conferences for his research and contributions in the area of business process management, IT service management and social computing. He is an elected member of the IBM Academy of Technology.

 

Wanyama Masinde, Director Institute of Regional Integration and Development 

Wanyama Masinde is a regional integration and global governance specialist.  He is founder and director of the East Africa Resource House providing regional integration education and training. He has worked as an advisor to governments on strategies and policies for regional integration, including working as Regional Integration Policy and Strategy Adviser to the Kenyan government.  He initiated the first Policy and Research Unit within a Regional Integration Ministry.  Masinde has extensive research and work experience in all regions of Africa. He has taught Regional Integration at the UN Institute for Economic Development and Planning in Dakar. He is also a regional security and risk analyst and has trained diplomats and military officers for European and African governments. Wanyama Masinde is a contributor to openDemocracy.net and Editor of African Integration, East African Integration Review and East African Integration Digest.