2016 African Philanthropy Forum: Taking Bold Steps and Big Bets

Rapid urbanization has fostered the emergence of megacities struggling to meet the immense transportation, housing, sanitation, security, and energy challenges that confront them. These trends, coupled with alarming population growth and youth unemployment rates, create a real sense of urgency for critical and far-reaching interventions. The launch of the Sustainable Development Goals and progress on the global climate change agenda have made it imperative for African leaders in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to take bold steps and make big bets. Incremental changes will be insufficient to accelerate the realization of Africa's true potential before 2030. The 2016 African Philanthropy Forum (APF) in Morocco presents a unique opportunity to reflect on the bold steps and big bets that are crucial in addressing the agricultural, climate, energy, governance, and urbanization challenges facing the African continent. Africa has been at the cusp of transformation for the past decade, with the Africa Rising story providing some hope and many bright spots across the continent. However, critical challenges continue to limit the actualization of its full potential. Despite widespread GDP growth, many Africans are being left behind. The MDG Report 2015: Assessing Progress in Africa toward the Millennium Development Goals revealed that despite incremental improvements in gender equity, health, and education, many countries struggled to meet the needs of the hardest-to-reach populations. The 2016 APF Conference agenda includes a range of sessions and workshops focused on taking bold steps and making big bets in various areas, including governance, agriculture and nutrition, energy and climate change, entrepreneurship and youth employment, and philanthropic investments in arts and culture. The conference also features site visits to cultural and historical landmarks in Rabat, Morocco, including the Royal Palace, Hassan Tower, Mausoleum of Mohammed V, and Complexe Artisanal Oulja. These site visits provide an opportunity for participants to engage with local communities and experience the rich cultural heritage of Morocco. The conference also highlights the importance of cross-sector partnerships in philanthropy, with a focus on building a community of donors and social investors committed to international causes. The Global Philanthropy Forum (GPF) aims to build a lasting learning community of philanthropists who will be strategic in pursuit of international causes. The GPF seeks to expand the number of philanthropists who will be strategic in pursuit of international causes, and to inform, enable, and enhance the strategic nature of their work.