Nearly two hundred educators assembled at the Westminster Schools in Atlanta, GA for Phase Two of the Teach Africa conference held on Saturday, November 8, 2008 at the Westminster Schools in Atlanta, GA. Phase Two of this USAID-funded Africa-education initiative consisted of remarks from distinguished guests such as Her Excellency Faida Mitifu, Ambassador from the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the US, curriculum training for teachers, an African dance presentation, and a plethora of substantive workshops.
Keynote speakers, Ambassador Faida Mitifu and Edith Grace Ssempala, Director of International Affairs at the World Bank and former Ambassador from Uganda to the US, opened the program with dynamic addresses. Ambassador Mitifu spoke passionately about the importance of including Africa education in American schools to insure that our youth become the sensitive and informed global citizens and future leaders our nation needs. Ambassador Ssempala enlightened the audience with her presentation about the growing African economy and the vast opportunities that it holds for America’s youth. She spoke of the rapid technological and economic expansion occurring throughout much of the continent and warned the audience that antiquated perceptions of Africa may result in the United States missing out on a multitude of cultural, political, and investment opportunities.
As a part of their training, each teacher received a copy of the most thorough and up to date educational materials available on the continent of Africa. Following the curriculum training, teachers dined on African cuisine for lunch and went on to attend workshops of their choosing. Featured workshops included, Art in Africa: The Ancient to the Contemporary, Royal Class: The Asante Kingdom and the Formation of Ghana, Women Watch Afrika, and Africa in the World: A Panel Discussion featuring Ambassador Mitifu, Ambassador Ssempala, and the Honorable Chudi Okafor, Consul General of Nigeria. Before the day’s end, the educators also received gift bags with Africa-focused educational tools such as playing cards, and DVD’s including the Africa Today film which the Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership produced specifically for use in the classroom.
The success of Teach Africa Atlanta was a decisive victory in The Africa Society’s fight to improve future relations between the US and Africa by educating the American people about Africa’s rich culture, history, and peoples. Phase Two of Teach Africa Atlanta was made possible through the collaboration of The Africa Society of the National Summit on Africa, Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership, and the Southern Center for International Studies and is a USAID funded program.
Here’s What Atlanta Teachers had to say about Teach Africa:
“Excellent workshop! Didn’t mind giving up my Saturday for such an enriching experience!”
“Very informative”
“I appreciate the planning, labor, finances and information that it took to have this day well spent”
“We were treated like royalty by everyone! Thank you so much. The materials we received are wonderful! I can’t wait to use them”
“This was one of the most informative conferences I have ever been to. Thank you for the opportunity”
“ All of the workshops that I attended were very well planned, informative, and useful”
“Awesome program-fun and fascinating”
“Thank you so much for this day! We teachers need encouragement that what we do matters and reinforcement that education is vital”
“Enjoyed it-felt enlightened”
“I really hope you do this again. I have learned so much. It has given me a boost of energy and a new sense of confidence to be more creative in teaching my students”
“Wonderful day! Presenters were well chosen, varied, and well prepared”