2nd Kenyan Diaspora International Conference & Investment Forum
Building a Knowledge-based Economy in Kenya: Role of the Diaspora
August 20-22, 2009
Social Sciences Building
Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, Georgia

Modern economies are increasingly based on knowledge and information as the drivers of productivity and growth - the “knowledge-based economy". This is reflected in trend towards growth in high-tech industries including information technology, and the demand for highly-skilled labor.

Kenya is at a point where the knowledge economy is poised to become the key driver for economic development. In this regard the Government of Kenya (“GoK”) in recognizing the role of ICT in the social and economic development of the nation, has promulgated a national ICT Policy and Strategy as a the Nation’s shared vision for transformation into a knowledge economy.

Kenyan nationals living and working abroad have unique insights, experiences and resources, which can be brought to bear in supporting Kenya’s development process through access to new markets, entrepreneurship, human capital, as well as knowledge and resource transfer. Engaging the Diaspora, therefore, facilitates a direct process of utilizing this capacity beyond the traditional role of money remittances.

This international conference (the "Conference") is a follow-up to the 1st Diaspora Conference and Investment Forum held in Atlanta in March, 2007, which was a success. The purpose of the Conference is to provide a forum through which multiple stakeholders can engage the Kenyan Diaspora and potential foreign investors on effective initiatives to build productive partnerships in support of Kenya’s transformation into an information and knowledge-based economy.

The conference will be highlighted by the launching of Kenya’s Business Process Outsourcing Value Preposition which will make the case for why Kenya is poised to be an outsourcing powerhouse.

Conference Structure

The Conference is designed to meet the needs of various stakeholders and includes a Business-to-Business (B2B) Summit, an ICT focused mini-conference and an Investment Forum. Running parallel to the major conference components will be an Expo and a Career Fair. The conference will adopt multiple strategies to keep the participants fully engaged in the various themes.

B2B Summit and Match-Making – Aug. 20th
The purpose of the Summit will be to match Kenyan businesses with potential customers, investors and partners in the U.S. that have investment interests in Kenya, or are seeking business opportunities for products and services from Kenya and vice versa. The Summit creates opportunities to develop future business-to-business relationships. To participate, please complete the following registration form.

Focus on ICT Sector in Kenya – Aug. 21st
On Friday August 21, 2009, the conference will focus on the Information Communication and Technology (ICT) sector in Kenya. The conference will bring together distinguished scholars, experts and policy makers, to explore Kenya’s fast-growing ICT sector, the emerging opportunities within the sector, and the sector’s contribution toward an information-driven and knowledge-based economy. The ICT sessions will feature world-class plenary speakers, tutorials, technical presentations, and exhibition opportunities.

Investment Forum – Aug. 22nd
The Investment Forum, coupled with the Expo and Career Fair, will provide an opportunity for various organizations from Kenya and abroad, to showcase their products and services to Kenyans in the Diaspora and other potential investors while exploring opportunities for partnerships through structured dialogue.

Conference Themes

The Conference will bring together scholars, business persons, ICT practitioners, government policymakers, and the general public. We invite proposals on the following themes:

ICT Mini-Conference Themes

1. Outlook of the ICT sector in Kenya: A Highlight of the Policy framework, infrastructure and Market Potential. 
2. Broadband Access For All: Reaching the Masses with ICT – Strategies and Tactics.
3. Business Process Outsourcing: Kenya the destination for Business Process Outsourcing.
4. Geographic Advantages:  Kenya As The Launching Pad For A Revolution In Ict In East And Central Africa
5. E-governance solutions: Improving transparency and Public Sector service delivery through technology.
6. Training and education for the ICT industry in Kenya: Meeting the human capital needs for a knowledge-based Economy.
7. Harnessing innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship: Opportunities for youth
8. Mobile Telephone in Kenya: A Case study for innovation & transformation
9. Application of  ICT in health care delivery system: development of e-health solutions in Kenya
10. Protecting ICT Production: status of Intellectual Property Rights in Kenya

Investment Forum Themes

1. Investment and Business Climate in Kenya: Supporting Innovation and Entrepreneurial Culture
2. Mobilizing Capital for an Emerging Economy: Alternatives to Donor Funding- The Role of the Diaspora and Capital Markets
3. Banking and Financial Services Sector in Kenya: Establishing a Center of Excellence
4. Investing in Infrastructure and Real Estate Development in Kenya; harnessing the resources from the Diaspora
5. Meeting Energy Demand for a Growing Economy: Opportunities for Investment
6. Investing in Tourism and Hospitality Industry in Kenya: Opportunities and Challenges
7. Public-Private Partnership (PPP):  Engaging the Diaspora

Call for Proposals

Send your proposals in MS Word (preferred) or Rich Text Format (RTF) file via e-mail to Ms. Vivian Bonilla (vbonill1@kennesaw.edu) and/or Kihumba Ndiritu (sndiritu@kennesaw.edu) by June 15, 2009. You will be notified of receipt of your proposal by email. If you do not receive the notice within seven (7) days, please contact Dr. Akanmu Adebayo, at aadebayo@kennesaw.edu.

You will receive by e-mail notice of acceptance of your proposal for the conference. Your proposal may be a paper, panel, poster session, or short (or oral) presentation. All proposals must have the following information:

• Name (first, middle, last or surname).
• Your biographical summary.
• Mailing Address, Phone, Fax, and E-mail.
• Title of paper, panel, or poster presentation (if panel, please list name of presenters and title of their papers).
• Abstract (no more than 150 words) of the proposed paper, poster, workshop, or presentation.

Conference Organizers

The conference is being organized by the following:

• Kennesaw State University, Institute for Global Initiatives
• Association of Kenyan Professionals in Atlanta (AKPA)
• Ministry of Information and Communication, Republic of Kenya
• Kenya Development Network Consortium (KDNC)
• East Africa-American Business Council (EAABC)
• Kenyan Embassy in Washington DC.