Human Dev Confab Holds In PH

The first African Human Development forum is slated to hold in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital from 11-13 August, 2010 at the University of Port Harcourt conference hall.

The conference which is organised by De-Caritas Centre for Studies on Human Development in Africa in conjunction with Better Karma LLC, United States of America is expected to be chaired by a renowned educationist, Prof. C.O. Iwundu while the guest of honour is Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi. Governor Ikedi Ohakim of Imo State is expected to present the Keynote address at the occasion.

The forum will address issues and challenges facing Africa in particular and the third world countries in general in the areas of poverty, agriculture, education, economic meltdown, security, governance, power sector and environment among others.

Among scholars to present papers at he three-day conference include Prof. A.A.Dere-Faka of the University of Port Harcoaurt, Mr. Zorina Alliata of Better Karma LLC, United States of America, Prof. A.A. Anyanwu of Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Prof, D.J. Osah-Ogulu of  Rivers State University of Education, Port Harcourt and Mr. Vitalis Otuiwu of De-Caritas Centre for Studies on Human Development in Africa.

Speaking with newsmen in Port Harcourt on the forthcoming conference, Mr. Vitalis Otuiwu, the Co-ordinating Editor of De-Caritas Centre for Studies on Human Development in Africa said the major aim of the conference was to make “our people to realise that the world is looking up to them now, to show them the way”.

He said the forum would also make Africans particularly scholars and the academia to realise that they have something to offer to the world, instead of being wholly dependent on the whites.

For this reason, Mr. Otuiwu indicated that the forum would go beyond presentation of papers and academic promotion.

“We are looking at people who have caritas (love) because for you to go far in research, we believe that it must be love-based. You can not excel in research unless you have love for society. That is why our people, the academia are not doing much. We are looking at a forum for people to come around and discuss the challenges of the world, the third world countries of which we believe that Africa is the pacesetter, “he said.

According to him, the people through the conference would realise that it is not true that they do not have anything to offer to the world.

Said the Co-ordinating Editor: “One of our major aims of calling this conference is for our people to realise that the world is looking up to them now, to show them the way. The earlier we understand and dissociate ourselves from serious attachments, the better because most of our people don’t believe that anything good can come from them. They are always dependent on the whites. To me, we have reached the crossroads, and Africa is the hope of the world now.”

He explained that Africa Heads of States, governors, ministers, bankers among other persons from different institutions and org-anisations are expected to attend the conference.