Africa Grantmakers' Affinity Group

2010 Annual Retreat

"Looking Back & Building Forward: Lessons, Insights & Strategies"

Plenary Session Descriptions

1. Changes in Philanthropy and in Africa

2. The Impact of Direct and indirect Funding on Capacity Building: AGAG Study Key Findings

3. The Future of Agriculture in Africa

1. Changes in Philanthropy and in Africa

Speakers:

• Yvonne L. Moore, Executive Director, Daphne Foundation

• Muade Mukenge, Program Director for Sub-Saharan Africa, Global Fund for Women

Description:  This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Africa Grantmakers’ Affinity Group. This session will reflect on changes in the field of Africa grantmakers and look forward with overviews of three exciting new initiatives: a funder secretariat Liberia, a study on supporting civil society in the Democratic of Congo and the emergence of Africa philanthropy with the launch of the newly formed African Grantmakers Network

About our Speakers:

Yvonne L. Moore is Executive Director of the Daphne Foundation and has worked in the areas of child maltreatment, development and systemic issues surrounding poverty for over 15 years. She specializes in infrastructure support, fundraising, professional development, and evaluation with a particular focus on measuring the outcomes of advocacy, organizing and other forms of social justice philanthropy. Building upon their existing work in domestic poverty, in 2008 she led the Foundation’s expansion into international development where investments currently focus on alternative energy, women and micro-enterprise. Yvonne received her BA from Texas Tech University, her MS in Nonprofit Management from The New School for Social Research, and has completed studies in democracy and civil society at the University of Cape Town. Her published research includes Bridges to Independence: Improving Transitions to Adulthood for Youth Served by the New Jersey Division of Youth and Family Services.

Muadi Mukenge is Program Director for Sub-Saharan Africa. She brings a background of women's health, African politics and economic development in Africa and frequently advises donors on their Africa programs. She presents often, including at international conferences and media outlets such as NPR and Pacifica Radio Affiliates. She has contributed to several articles on women's rights and African development and regularly writes opinions pieces. Since joining the Global Fund in 2004, Mukenge has increased support in the areas of conflict-prevention, economic policy advocacy, empowerment of rural women, and expansion of grants to French-speaking countries.

She has stewarded the deepening of support to the women's movement in the Great Lakes Region (DRC, Burundi, CAR), and facilitated GFW grantee convenings in DRC on ending sexual violence and advancing women's rights. Prior to joining the Global Fund in 2004, she served as Program Officer for Africa at the Pacific Institute for Women's Health, where she managed training and evaluation projects, and managed the Pacific Institute's grant-making program and communications initiative. At Coro Southern California, a leadership training institute, she produced communications materials and managed alumni fundraising campaigns.

From 1993-1997, Mukenge worked at the African Studies Center at UCLA, where she assisted research initiatives, organized international conferences and the teacher training program, and produced research publications on political transition in Africa. Mukenge holds a Master's Degree in African Studies from UCLA. She is fluent in French and is from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Mukenge is active in volunteer organizations focused on foreign policy toward Africa and promotion of human rights in the Congo. Board member of Priority Africa Network, Gender Action and New Field Foundation

2. The Impact of Direct and Indirect Funding on Building Capacity: Key Findings

Speakers:

• Jennifer Astone, philanthropic Consultant, Jennifer Astone Consulting

• Andrea Johnson, Program Officer, Carnegie Corporation of New York

Description: Last year, AGAG conducted confidential interviews with staff members of foundations, intermediary organizations and African-headquartered organizations to explore if funding received directly or through an intermediary organization affected their ability to build organizational capacity. During this session findings of the study will be presented and the audience invited to comment on how these findings resonate with their experience.

About our Speakers

Jennifer Astone is a philanthropic consultant who advises donors and foundations on international giving programs, organizational development, and effective networks and collaborations. Jennifer has more than ten years experience in international philanthropy and over twenty years experience working in fifteen different English and French-speaking countries of Africa. She has conducted and led in-country assessment studies, site visits, grantee meetings, study tours, video production, and capacity building trainings. Her experience includes working with a variety of stakeholders including: grassroots leaders, NGO representatives, foundation leaders, government officials and activists. Her cultural knowledge and ability to work with a wide range of people on sensitive and crucial topics has made her an effective bridge maker.

She served as Executive Director of the Firelight Foundation, Program Officer for Africa at the Global Fund for Women, and Grants Analyst at the African Development Foundation. A graduate of Barnard College, Jennifer received her M.A. and Ph.D. in anthropology from Binghamton University in New York.

Andrea Johnson, a program officer in Carnegie Corporation of New York's International Development Program, works on issues of gender equity in higher education and other elements of university strengthening in sub-Saharan Africa. Her previous areas of program work include transitions to democracy in Africa, development assistance reform and public and policymaker education about Africa.

A former Peace Corps volunteer who spent two years in Riobamba, Ecuador, Johnson has research and professional experience in both the United States and in the developing world. She joined the Corporation in 1991 from the New York City Department of Transportation where she was a research assistant and operations analyst. She has also worked at the Mozambique Ministry of Justice and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Johnson earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from the College of William and Mary and a Master of International Affairs degree in economic and political development from Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs. She is undertaking doctoral studies at New York University's Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service. Johnson has been active in community organizations and was a founding leader of Harlem Initiatives Together (now part of Upper Manhattan Together), which is affiliated with the national Industrial Areas Foundation network. She currently serves on the steering committee of the Africa Grantmakers' Affinity Group.

3. The Future of Agriculture in Africa

Speakers:

• Hans Herren, President, Millennium Institute

• Sarah Hobson, Executive Director, New Field Foundation - Moderator

• Mouhamadou Tidiane Kassé, French Editor, Pambazuka New

Description:

A vibrant and strong agricultural sector is key to socio-economic development in Africa. Approaches to protecting and strengthening this sector have had mixed results and often undermined the role of African farmers- many of whom are women. This panel will explore the future of agriculture in Africa by discussing key issues from the perspective of a scientist and a journalist, and highlight important considerations for funders and other stakeholders.

About our Speakers

Hans Herren, an internationally recognized scientist, was appointed president of the Millennium Institute in May 2005. Prior to joining MI, he was director-general of the International Center for Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) in Nairobi, Kenya. He also served as director of the Africa Biological Control Center of International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), in Benin.

Hans earned his Ph.D. at the Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, Switzerland, and holds numerous awards that recognize his distinguished and continuing achievements in original research. Hans serves on the boards of numerous organizations, including co-chairing the International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science & Technology, (IAASTD); chairman of BioVision, a Swiss foundation with a global mandate to alleviate poverty and improve the livelihoods of poor people while maintaining the precious natural resource base that sustains life; president of the International Association of the Plant Protection Sciences (IAPPS); and member, US Board of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BANR).

Sarah Hobson joined New Field Foundation in 2003 as its first Executive Director. She brings to the organization her long experience of working with community-based initiatives in West Africa, South Asia, and Iran. Prior to joining New Field, Sarah was executive director of International Development Exchange (IDEX), partnering with community organizations in Asia, Africa and Latin America on grassroots economic development.

She was a consultant over many years to the UN agency, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and is founder and trustee of Open Channels, a British NGO working with indigenous peoples in Africa to define their lands, resources and rights. Through her work, Sarah has witnessed for more than thirty years the impact of national and international food and agriculture policies on rural women in many parts of Africa. She is the author, contributor and editor of eight books and has presented and produced many documentaries for television. She speaks English and French.

Mouhamadou Tidiane Kassé is an editor, media consultant and media trainer with extensive experience working for both Senegalese and international organizations. He is the head editor for the French edition of Pambazuka News, an electronic newsletter that serves as a Pan-African platform for social justice. He is working with Fahamu and Food First to coordinate an initiative on agro-ecology alternatives in African agriculture, with a focus on women and bio-diversity.

Kassé has served since 1984 as editor of Wal Fadjri, one of Senegal’s most respected daily newspapers. He worked with the Panos Institute West Africa as coordinator of the Press Department, and worked as a media trainer for various NGOs on issues impacting African development, such as HIV/ AIDS, conflict resolution, and agriculture. A graduate of the School of Journalism at Dakar University, he has been teaching journalism at various high schools in Dakar since 1996.

4. Looking to the Future (Closing Luncheon)

Speaker: Ezra Mbogor, Executive Director, Akiba Uhaki - the Human Rights and Social Justice Fund

About our Speaker:

Ezra Mbogori is the Executive Director of Akiba Uhaki - the Human Rights and Social Justice Fund. Prior to his appointment, he served as the founding Executive Director of MWENGO – the reflection and development centre for NGOs in Eastern and Southern Africa, based in Harare - Zimbabwe. Before that Ezra Mbogori headed an urban poverty focused organization – The Undugu Society in Nairobi for six years. He has served in a voluntary capacity on the leadership and/or advisory organs of numerous organizations and is currently a member of the International Board of PLAN International and Kituo Cha Katiba – the East African Centre for Constitutional Development. Ezra Mbogori is a fellow of the Mason Program of the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. He also is a Fellow of the Kellogg International Leadership Program (KILP)