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Creating serendipity – Exploring the future of conservation in a rapidly changing world
The EWT is celebrating its 50th anniversary as one of South Africa’s leading conservation NGOs and as part of the celebration, we are hosting a day of inspirational and forward-thinking discussions to spark creative ideas about the future of conservation in Africa. We have a line-up of thought-provoking presenters and panelists from a multitude of traditionally non-conservation sectors, to stimulate debate and leverage creative thinking within the conservation realm. We aim to open the minds and challenge the mindsets of conservationists attending the event and to unlock partnership opportunities to catapult us into the next era of conservation practice.
Conservationists recognise the influence of all sectors as drivers impacting the natural world. As such, we will be exploring the knowledge and experience of experts across various sectors including economics, agriculture, mining, sustainability, information technology, artificial intelligence, and innovation through the eyes of specialists and futurists. Through this assembled expertise and via facilitated discussions, we will distil a new way of thinking about the future for the strategic conservation of our wildlife and wild places over the next few decades, in a rapidly changing world.
Join us for an exploration of the possibilities, opportunities & synergies in the next era of conservation practice.
#THENEXT50
RSVP: by 20 October 2023 Click here
08:30-16:00 formal proceedings, 16:00-19:00 cocktail event
Join us afterward for some fantastic live music, great Painted Wolf wines, and beautiful art by Alice van Jaarsveld.
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The great minds that will spark our creative thinking
Thomas Fowler is the Chief Technology Officer at CloudSmiths and was the founder and CEO of DotModus.
Valli Moosa is the former minister of the Department of Environment and Tourism, and the former president of the IUCN. He was also the non-executive chairman of Eskom, Sun International, and Anglo America Platinum and more recently the Deputy Chairperson of the PCC.
Brian Mantlana joined the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in 2017, where he now leads the Holistic Climate Change Impact area. Prior to this, he worked at SANBI and the Department of Environmental Affairs.
Toby Shapshak is editor-in-chief of Stuff and publisher of Scrolla.Africa, a Forbes senior contributor and a columnist for the  Financial Mail and Daily Maverick.
Bronwyn Williams is a futurist, economist, strategist, and business trend analyst. She is also an avid reader and a published writer.
Isaah Mhlanga is the chief economist and head of research at Rand Merchant Bank.
Martin Potgieter is a Director, Natural Capitalist, Investor, and Environmentalist at Rand Merchant Bank
Lesego Rammusi has worked as the sustainability manager at Esiswe Mining Company, as the Environmental and Social Specialist at the Land and Agricultural Development Bank of South Africa, and is currently the head of environmental and Social Sustainability at ABSA.
Sameera Munshi is the Operations Manager at the global Anglo-American Foundation, which is on a mission to empower youth through catalysing green value chains and building resilience and agency.
Andrew Ardington is the founder of the Regenerative Agriculture Association of South Africa, also known as RegenAg SA.
Graeme Codrington is a futurist, global speaker and unlearner and is an expert on the future of work and the disruptive forces that are shaping it.
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Event Programme
SPEAKERS | AFFILIATIONS | |
Introduction by Yolan |
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09:00-09:30 | Thomas Fowler | AI futurist |
09:30-10:00 | Vallie Moosa | Deputy Chairperson of the Presidential Climate Commision (PCC) |
10:00-10:30 | Brian Mantlana | Holistic Climate Change Impact area lead at the CSIR |
10:30-11:00 | Toby Shapshak | Innovation in Africa |
11:00-11:30 |
tea and snacks |
|
11:30-12:00 | Bronwyn Williams | Futurist, Economist, Trends |
12:00-12:30 | Isaah Mhlanga | RMB economist |
12:30-13:00 | Martin Potgieter | RMB – Natural Capital and sustainable finance |
13:00-13:30 | Lesego Rammusi | Head of Environmental and Social Sustainability at ABSA |
13:30-14:00 |
tea and snacks |
|
14:00-14:30 | Sameera Munshi | Anglo – Operations Manager |
14:30-15:00 | Andrew Ardington | Regenerative Agriculture Association of Southern Africa |
15:00-15:30 | Graeme Codrington | Futurist, Unlearner, Disruption |
15:30-16:00 | Panel discussion: The Next 50 – where to from here in the conservation context? | |
Closing and thank you – Yolan and Ian |