 Celebrated Calypsonian Alexander D'Great joined Onyekachi Wambu at SOAS to launch our latest publication Under the Tree of Talking, an ambitious collection of writings by key African thinkers and commentators. Richard Dowden, Director Royal African Society and Cathy Stephens, British Council hosted the event for an audience of the press, writers, academics, community leaders and African organisations, as well as book contributors Martha Chinouya and Wangui wa Goro. Under the Tree of Talking is essential reading for anyone who cares about the continent’s future. By providing an open and democratic space for different visions of leadership, it explores how political leaders can be held to account by collective action that comes from all directions of society, not just from the top down. Download the press release  Born in Nigeria, Onyekachi Wambu, is former editor of The Voice newspaper and author of Empire Windrush: Fifty Years of Writing about Black Britain. He is also a television producer and director and has made documentaries for the BBC, Channel 4 and PBS. He is currently Information Officer at the African Foundation for Development.
A collection of remarkable essays by some of Africa’s most notable writers and academics… This book should be a must-read for those who would seek to lead their people, and those who allow themselves to be led.
Henry Bonsu, award-winning broadcaster and journalist Inspired by the British Council’s flagship pan-African initiative on transformational leadership, InterAction, Under The Tree of Talking argues that the key to positive social and political change lies with leaders across all sections of the community; be they men or women, leading by faith, principles such as Ubuntu, or by mobilising groups for reform in education, the fight against HIV and AIDS or building prosperity through enterprise. I am grateful to Onyekachi Wambu for bringing these powerful African voices together for shaping a truly inspiring manifesto for positive social change around the world
Nick Wadham-Smith, Deputy Director of Counterpoint Under the tree of talking: Leadership for change in Africa is available to buy from all good bookshops and online from Amazon. For more information, email counterpoint@britishcouncil.org Now more than 100 years old, the Royal African Society is Britain’s primary Africa organisation, promoting Africa’s cause today. RELATED EVENTS
Saturday 22 September
A one-day conference for emerging and established leaders with a passion for Africa. With the Royal Commonwealth Society, Africa ++ and Afford. Thursday 4 October
Academic conference on leadership and human rights.
With London Metropolitan University and the Council of Human Rights and Social Justice.
Counterpoint 5-Sep-2007
Categories: Identity, Politics and Culture, News, Projects
|
