Circular African Cities 101: A Crash Course and Meet-and-Greet

Circular Economy is growing as a concept on the continent with many groups exploring its benefits for driving sustainable production and consumption. We assert that cities are vital arenas for circular economy transitions and, with partners, over the last year have been developing a community of thinkers, doers and enablers working on circular African cities. This session will offer a 15 minute crash course on Circular African Cities for those new to the concept, hear from ICLEI Africa, the African Circular Economy Network and Metabolism of Cities on new developments in their work. The session will then offer opportunities to meet those interested in circular cities and invite reflection on how the community of practice in circular african cities could add value to you your work as urban practitioners.

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The role of Higher Education in the transition to a Circular Economy

Are you working in or with an African University or Higher Education Institution? Join the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and the African Leadership University to discuss how, together, we can harness the power of higher education to accelerate the transition to a circular economy in African cities.
Across the globe, universities and higher education institutions are embracing the circular economy and helping to lead and influence the necessary global transition. This is being seen in not only what they teach or the research being undertaken but how they manage their campuses and the role students are playing in driving forward this agenda. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation has been working with a global higher education network for the past 10 years and has now partnered with the African Leadership University to help support the key role higher education can play in African cities. This interactive session will engage participants on how to harness the power of higher education in achieving circular economy and sustainable cities across the African continent.

Participants in this session will hear insights from across the world on the role the sector is playing in this transition and from the African Leadership University on their plans to embed a circular economy throughout each student’s journey. There will be an opportunity to share what’s happening at other higher education institutions across the continent and for participants to help shape and develop a circular economy higher education network for Africa.
Through a 2 year project funded by the MAVA Foundation, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and the African Leadership University will work together to explore the higher education circular economy ambitions in Africa, understand the available learning opportunities, deliver a series of learning /programmes and build a network for the sector.

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What does Circular Economy look like in practice in Africa? A showcase of ongoing projects and businesses

This session will share insights from a recent circular economy report we published showcasing initiatives across Africa. The session will highlight a few business models which will be backed with stories from some entrepreneurs featured in the report. In break out rooms, participants will have the opportunity to compare the highlighted business models to initiatives from their own context. We will discuss the advantages, disadvantages and possible areas of improvement for these business models.

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