UCT hosts gathering of senior UN leaders

UCT will play host to a United Nations Leadership Programme in Cape Town from 12 to 16 October 2015.

The UN Leaders Programme brings together senior UN staff from around the world to exchange knowledge and experience, in an interactive and dynamic learning environment. This year’s programme, coordinated by IAPO’s Short Term International Programme (STIP) and the Graduate School of Business, will focus on ‘Leadership for Transformation and Unity Building in the Workplace’.

UCT was selected to host the meeting because of its strategic location as a leading university in Africa. It was also regarded as having the requisite capacity while offering a unique opportunity to advance global knowledge from an African perspective, a conference press statement said.

“Towards strengthening its international research profile, and as an Afropolitan university, UCT aims to provide an intellectual meeting point, and offer a strategic lens into the African region for academics, professionals and practitioners alike. Alongside other African and international universities, UCT strives to champion African contributions within the international arena,” said the statement.

The purpose of the 2015 UN Leaders Programme in Cape Town is to provide a forum for participating senior UN leaders to network with colleagues and peers and to engage with, and learn from, faculty and speakers from diverse fields of experience and expertise.

The meeting will discuss and reflect on prevailing regional dynamics in Africa with in relation to UN strategic mandates.

The gathering will also explore the role of leaders and leadership in “forging and imprinting sustainable transformation and unity building within the workplace, towards fostering stable and cohesive work environments and cultures that celebrate diversity, promote cooperation and encourage professional excellence”.

Vice-Chancellor Dr Max Price, Professor Walter Baets (director of the Graduate School of Business), Professor Evance Kalula (director of International Academic Programme Office) and staff from the UN System Staff College, who are the co-conveners, will open the conference on Monday 12 October.