[Nairobi, 8th November 2023] — Aspen Initiative Africa (AIA) officially launched the first-ever Socrates Seminar in Africa on 8th November 2023 in Nairobi, Kenya. This marks a momentous occasion as AIA reinforces its commitment to nurturing enlightened leadership capable of driving positive change in Africa and beyond.
Rooted in the belief that dialogue can bring about transformative change, Aspen Initiative Africa is driven by towards an equitable, just and free society in Africa.
“Facilitating dialogue and establishing common ground is vital for effective problem-solving. In Africa, there is a necessity to institutionalize this process,” said Mr Mucai Kunyiha, Group CEO at CKL Africa.
“The art of dialogue can be acquired, and at Aspen Initiative, we empower leaders to nurture and enhance it among themselves. By digging into our values and engaging in rich conversations, we aim to discover African solutions tailored to work effectively for the continent,” he added.
Aspen Initiative Africa is connected to a global web of partners and initiatives, including Aspen Institute Kyiv , which has fostered dialogue among Ukrainian leaders during the ongoing Russian invasion for several months.
“We could not be more thrilled that we will have our first Aspen Institute on this continent. This presents a great opportunity to establish something that will be operated in Africa, led by Africans, governed locally, and connected to us through our name and expanding network of collaborative partners around the world,” said Elliot Gerson, Executive Vice President, of Policy and Public Programs, International Partners at Aspen Institute.
About the Aspen Institute
Since 1974, the Aspen Institute has served as an inspiration for 12 international partner organisations across 15 countries. These international partners explore global solutions for critical problems and amplify the distinctive voices of their respective countries. Collaborating closely with the Institute, they develop exceptional programming while upholding a mission centred on values-based leadership and enlightened dialogue.
The Aspen Institute is one of the most respected conveners in the world for diverse, nonpartisan thought leaders, creatives, scholars and members of the public to address some of the world’s most complex problems.
However, the objective of these gatherings extends beyond the confines of the conference room. They are crafted to provoke, advance, and enhance actions implemented in the real world.
Socrates Kenya 2023
The Socrates Kenya Launch was a significant milestone for Africa. It was the first of many Socrates seminars that will draw senior leaders from the region to participate in dynamic discussions about Africa’s challenges.
The Socrates Seminar is a roundtable discussion for experts drawn from different fields. Participants share their insights and responses to carefully selected readings under the guidance of expert moderators. Stimulating dialogue, values-based introspection, and dynamic debate serve to enhance participants’ leadership capabilities.
Held at the Fairmont Mt Kenya Safari Club in Nanyuki, the weekend-long Socrates Seminar explored concerns surrounding artificial intelligence, digital media, privacy, and surveillance and how humans can harness the potential of emerging digital tools to benefit all of humanity, regardless of geographical, cultural, or socioeconomic differences.
The seminar was moderated by author and technologist, William Powers who over the years, has spearheaded projects to ensure that today’s AI-driven technologies reflect human values and enable social progress.
“We’re all unique in some way, defying the modular application of ethics, morality, and the meaning of life. The frustration among certain scientists stems from the realization that humanity transcends the confines of a mere machine; it represents something more complex. The persistent longing, shared both individually and collectively, to mechanize our humanity raises profound philosophical questions as we race towards a digital future.”
William Powers, Socrates Kenya 2023 Moderator
The Mechanization of Humans emerged as a pivotal topic during the Socrates Kenya launch, and we unpacked it further during the 3-day seminar in Nanyuki. With participants offering diverse views, we provided a safe space to explore the positive and negative face of emerging technologies.
The Socrates Kenya Seminar ended on a high note with an exhilarating game drive at Ol Pejeta Conservancy. Participants embarked on a quest for the Big 5, reflecting on the insightful discussions over the past 2 days about humanity’s digital future.
They were truly inspired by the efforts of Ol Pejeta’s Conservation Tech Lab to harness technology to combat poaching, a critical issue of our time.
Aspen Initiative Africa unites brilliant minds from various fields to dissect Africa’s most pressing issues through gatherings, webinars, and seminars. Stay tuned for updates on our upcoming events.