Building a Better Life for All:
The Crucial Role of Good Governance for a
Sustainable African Future
Date: 20 and 21 April 2010
Venue: Cape Town International Convention Centre,
South Africa
Deadline for submission of abstracts: 30 October 2009
Notification of acceptance: 30 November 2009
Deadline for submission of papers: 28 February 2010
This conference will bring together international and local corporations, academics and representatives of civil society to debate and reflect on the importance of good governance for a sustainable African future. The keynote address will be provided by Nobel Peace Prize winner, former under-secretary of the United Nations and former president of Finland, Martti Ahtisaari .
Call for papers
Academics and practitioners are invited to submit a proposal to present a paper on any topic that would be aligned with the purpose of the conference, as outlined below. Preference will be given to papers that address the application of the universal principles of the Global Compact within a specific African context. Notification of acceptance will be given by 30 November 2009. An honorarium of US$ 500 will be paid for all papers submitted by 28 February 2010. Selected papers will be published and co-edited by Oliver F. Williams and Daniel Malan.
Proposals should include a biographical note and full contact details of the presenter. Proposals should not exceed 500 words. Only electronic submissions sent to
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will be accepted. The subject line should contain the words “Proposal: Building a Better Life for All”.
 Download information
Purpose of the conference
Some amalgam of democracy, the business system of markets and incentives, and civil society activism has delivered the good life to many peoples of the world. Based on experience from within the continent, what is the best way to enhance and improve the good society in Africa, unlocking the potential for creativity and innovation, creating wealth and jobs? These and related questions will be the subject of the conference.
Many commentators have noted that in our global economy there is a reapportionment of the roles of business, government and civil society. The King Report on Corporate Governance for South Africa suggests that good corporate governance is not simply direction and control of the company for the benefit of shareholders, but rather the board and managers are encouraged to strike a balance between the interests of the company and its stakeholders. Reflecting the African philosophy of Ubuntu, and the interconnectedness of institutions associated with the term sustainability, the corporation is viewed as a social institution and its legitimacy, its license to operate, is earned by meeting the reasonable expectations of the individual, the company and society. Is this position the dominant one on the African continent?
The United Nations Global Compact with over 5 000 signatories in 135 countries and its ten principles concerning human rights, labour standards, environmental issues and corruption is a voluntary corporate citizenship initiative which encourages companies to take on problems in the wider society raised by stakeholders. What are some effective examples of this initiative in Africa?
While the board and management provide the internal corporate governance, in developed countries governments provide the external corporate governance framework, the laws, rules and regulations which protect shareholders and stakeholders alike from harmful actions by companies and others. How is this external control best managed in Africa where governments may be unable to do it? What is the best way to deal with corruption? Is the United Nations Global Compact part of the answer? The conference hopes to provide a forum to share insight and resolution for these and other issues.
Language
The conference language will be English.
Speakers
Among the major speakers are: President Martti Ahtisaari (Nobel Peace Prize winner), Iqbal Surve (founder and chairman of Sekunjalo Investment Ltd), Prof Obiora Ike (director: Umuchinemere Bank, Nigeria and associate member of the Club of Rome),Futhi Mtoba (chairperson of Deloitte and member of the board of the UN Global Compact), Sir Mark Moody-Stuart (former chairperson of Anglo American plc), Phil Armstrong (head: Global Corporate Governance Forum), Prof Russel Botman (rector and vice-chancellor, University of Stellenbosch), Bobby Godsell (chairperson of Eskom and Business Unity South Africa), Prof Bob Garratt (chairperson of the Unit for Corporate Governance in Africa), Prof Oliver Williams (member of the board of the UN Global Compact Foundation).
More information
For more information, please contact Daniel Malan on +27 83 5611292 or
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or visit www.governance.usb.ac.za
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