Sanders' Blog Bits: October - December 2023

Sanders' Blog Bits (entries are in ascending order):

November-December 2023:

 --Dr. Sanders attended the Foreign Policy Magazine's session on "Takeaways from the Biden-Xi Meeting” on the sidelines of the November 17, 2023, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in California. Analysis underscores the U.S. and China mended some fences such as on return to US-China military communications, some cooperation on AI, help on reducing phentenol precursors, and respecting each other as competitors. 

#Biden #Xi #BidenXi #APECSummit2023 #CEOFEEEDS #AmbSanders

 --Amb Sanders attended DC's World Trade Center event hosted by African Ambassadors to the United States for the new Presidential African Diaspora Advisory Council. #PresidentialCouncil #AfricaDiaspora

 --Ambassador Sanders, as former U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, joined hundreds of esteemed guests, including former Director of Nigeria's Bank of Industry attending the wedding of WNBA star & ESPN Anchor Chiney Ogwumike.

#NBA #WNBA #ESPN #ChineyOgwumike #Nigeria #NigeriaBankofIndustry

 --As Director of Smarter Grid International (SGI), a solar energy company in Nigeria, Dr. Sanders will attend the UN Global Compact sessions on COP28. #SGI, #ClimateChange #SolarEnergy #CEOFEEEDS #AmbSanders

 --As part of COP28, Dr. Sanders was invited to the Foreign Policy Magazine's forum on COP28 issues such as solutions for a warming planet, which had a focus on the powerful impact of collaborative efforts across various levels of governance and civil society. #COP28 #ClimateChange

 -- Amb. Sanders attended the Corporate Council of Africa's (CCA) 30th Anniversary Celebrations, which focused on highlighting the various key leaders who both created, developed and grew the organization to what it is today - one of the leading entities building and maintaining US-Africa business ties and relations. #CCA #USAfrica #CorporateCouncilofAfrica

 --As a member of the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) Amb. Sanders attended CFR's China session featuring Ambassador Nicholas Burns, who discussed the evolving U.S.-China relationship, the strategic opportunities and challenges it presents, and the narrative on power and cooperation in the 21st century. #CFR #CouncilofForeignRelations #USChina #NicholasBurns

October 2023:

 -- Amb. Sanders, in her advisory role with RFG Foundation which focuses, assists, provides internships, and scholarship to the next generation of students studying international affairs and global issues, will participate in key programming and help lead key development events for the 2023 RFG Fellows being held at the Nigerian Embassy under the auspices of Nigeria's first female Ambassador to the U.S., Her Excellency Ambassador (Mrs.) Uzoma Emenike. The focus on education and providing leadership to the next generation is a key pillar of importance for both Ambassador Emenike and Ambassador Sanders. #Education #Leadership #Nigeria #AmbassadorEmenike #AmbSanders #NigerianEmbassy 

-- Dr. Sanders' invited to participate in Foreign Policy Magazine’s "Her Power" event that brought together leading women in foreign policy, business, government, academia and the private sector to discuss issues revolving evolving careers, and leadership in all sectors of the workforce. #FPMagazine, #CEOFEEEDS #AmbSanders #Leadership #Workforce

 -- Dr. Sanders is featured in the 2023 Bentley-Gallup Business in Society Report, quantifying Americans’ attitudes toward businesses and the impact they have on personal lives and society more generally. In the report, 63% of Americans said businesses have an extremely or somewhat positive impact on people’s lives, up from 55% in 2022. Americans still draw a clear distinction between big and small businesses, with small businesses (85%) seen as twice as likely to have a positive effect on people’s lives than big businesses (42%). Sanders' comments are on page 27 of the full data report - The Bentley-Gallup Business in Society Report, can be accessed here:

 http://www.gallup.com/analytics/512066/bentley-business-in-society.aspx 

#Gallup #BentleyUniversity #WorkAttitudes #SmallLargeBusinesses #CEOFEEEDS #AmbSanders 

 -- Dr. Sanders was invited to the 2023 Fall Sessions of the IMF held in Morocco, participating virtually. Key sessions attended by Dr. Sanders were on global financial & GDP growth pictures, creating a more even playing field for non-Western economies, women entrepreneurs, financing for startups, sustainable development issues, an Africa brief, etc. #2023IMFMeetings #StateofGlobalEconomicGrowth #WomenEntrepreneurs

September 2023:

-- Amb. Sanders attended key global & Africa events as part of UN week:

As a UNGlobal Compact member, her focus was on climate change, biodiversity and climate-smart small businesses and innovation.

As a senior advisor for the Concordia Global Issues Summit, Amb. Sanders attended summit sessions with Presidents of Turkey, Paraguay, Ecquador & Montenegro, and leading international business leaders from the US and across the globe.

#UNGlobalCompact #Concordia #AmbSanders #CEOFEEEDS #ClimateChange #SMEs

-- Dr. Sanders attended the following Foreign Policy (FP) Magazine UNGA 78 events focused on several of FEEEDS key areas:  FP Energy Forum, FP Tech Forum, and Live Taping of Global Reboot

#FP #Energy #Tech #GlobalIssues #CEOFEEEDS #AmbSanders

 -- As part of the Sub-Saharan Africa Business & Investment Summit UN Program, Ambassador Sanders led 3 sessions at the Nigerian Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York, focusing on energy issues and innovation (new projects around solar energy), climate change, US-Africa trade issues and how to further advance these efforts, Internet access issues, and importance of ensuring more value addition for Africa project, and strengthening inter-Africa trade. #AfricaTrade #AfricaInternet #climatechange #Nigeria #InvestinAfrica

 A FEEEDS Series BlogBit

The 9th Annual FEEEDS-Gallup Africa Forum, July 14, 200 - Another Successful Year, Another Successful Event!

(l-r, Amb. Robin Sanders, Rwandan Amb. Mukantabana, USTDA Director Ebong, Gallup Africa Dir. Rheault, NSC Africa Director Devermont, Benin Amb. do Rego

         

July 14, 2022, In-Person Event! The 9th Annual FEEEDS-GALLUP Africa Forum With Event Partners - allAfrica.com, ACBC, UPAC, US-Africa Trade Council & Int'l Development Institute (IDI) "Trade, the Diaspora & Policy: Paths to Strengthening the US-Africa Relationship" 2022 HONORED GUEST SPEAKERS Enoh Ebong  Director, U.S. Trade & Development Agency Judd Devermont Special Assistant to the President & Africa Senior Advisor, National Security Council Magali Rheault - Gallup Data Scene Setter Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Director, Gallup World Poll Time & Date: 2pm-4:15pm (ET), July 14, 2022 (In-Person) Address: 901 F St, NW Washington D.C 20004 (entrance is on 9th) 1:30pm Registration Check-in 2pm - 3pm Program (on time start) 3pm-3:30 Questions 3:30-4:00pm - Wrap-Up 4:15 - Departures   Co-Hosts  Amb. Robin Sanders, CEO-FEEEDS & Gallup Senior Scientist Jon Clifton, CEO - Gallup Event Partner Leadership Amadou Ba-allAfrica.com; Stan Straughter - ACBC; Sylvester Okere - UPAC Titus Olowokere-USAfricaTrade, Parashu Nepal-IDI Annual Forum’s Objective: Highlight Africa topics with dialogue & data                                                See hyperlinks for Honored Guest Speakers, Co-Hosts & Event Partners bios

A FEEEDS SERIES BLOGSPOT

FEEEDS-GALLUP 8th Annual Africa Forum - Join Us! - "Africa's Business Economy & the AfCFTA — The Key Role of SMEs"

This Press Announcement First Appeared in Allafrica.com

FEEEDS Initiative (Washington, DC)

ANNOUNCEMENT

Date: Thursday, July 15, 2021
Time: 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time
Time Zones: 3:00 p.m. (Cairo & Jo'burg); 4:00 p.m. (Addis & Nairobi); 2:00 p.m. (Lagos & London)
Duration: 2 hours

Event Theme: "Africa's Business Economy & the AfCFTA — The Key Role of SMEs"

Register Now

Co-Hosts Ambassador Robin Sanders and Gallup Global Managing Partner Jon Clifton, in partnership with allAfrica.com, the African & Caribbean Business Council (ACBC), United People for African Congress (UPAC) and U.S.-Africa Trade Council, invite you to the 8th Annual FEEEDS-Gallup Africa Forum: Africa's Business Economy & the AfCFTA — the Role of SMEs.

This is an opportunity to hear firsthand from the event's honored featured speakers: Dr. Hippolyte Fofack of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and Dr. Francis Mangeni, advisor to the Secretary General of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Each will discuss how their institutions support the critical role Africa and the Africa diaspora's small- and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) serve in the region's economy and the broader success of the AfCFTA. Gallup's leading Africa research director, Magali Rheault, will scene set with relevant polling data on the current business environment for Africa SMEs and regional economies.

SPEAKERS
Ambassador Robin Sanders
CEO of FEEEDS
Ambassador (Dr.) Robin Renee Sanders served as one of the U.S. Government's top diplomats on African issues over a long career in the United States Diplomatic Corps reaching senior positions ranging from Ambassador to the Republics of Nigeria, Republic of Congo, two stints – NSC Director for Africa at the White House, and U.S. Permanent Representative to the West African Regional Organization ECOWAS. Dr. Sanders received her doctor of science degree from Pittsburgh's Robert Morris University, where she also holds the title of Distinguished Public Service & Rooney Scholar; has MA and MS degrees from Ohio University; and, a BA from Hampton University. She is a recognized thought-leader on Africa's political, economic, technology, security (e.g. Boko Haram, Al Shabab) and policy issues, as well as on region's thematic topics such as SDGs, food security, democracy/elections, education & climate change. She has testified before the U.S. Congress on these topics. Her advisory firm is divided into two parts: The FEEEDS Advocacy Initiative and FE3DS, LLC. FEEEDS focuses on Africa economic development, Diaspora, Entrepreneurship/SMEs issues. FEEEDS also advises several organizations; co-hosts the annual Africa event with Gallup World Poll; and publishes @The FEEEDS Index. Sanders' national security expertise is based on her work at the White House; as Deputy Commandant-Eisenhower College, the National Defense University, the U.S. military's premier institution for strategic studies; her diplomatic postings; and her work on global issues. She is sought after by media such as Al Jazeera, China Television, VOA, and CNN for her Africa expertise. FE3DS, LLC provides business strategies on Africa trade, technology, power, renewables, affordable housing and aviation.

Jon Clifton
Global Managing Partner, Gallup
Jon Clifton is the Global Managing Partner of Gallup, an advisory firm that specializes in big data analytics of employees, customers, students and citizens. Jon's mission is to help 7 billion citizens be heard on their most pressing work and life issues through the Gallup World Poll, a 100-year initiative spanning 150 countries. Because of his expertise, Jon has been interviewed on BBC News, C-SPAN's Washington Journal, and Al-Jazeera, and has testified in front of the U.S. Congress on the state of American small business and entrepreneurship. He is a frequent contributor on Gallup.com and has written for The Hill, The Diplomatic Courier, and The Global Action Report.

Dr. Hippolyte Fofack – Honored Featured Speaker
Chief Economist, Director of Research and International Cooperation, African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank)
Speaker Topic: "How Afreximbank Leverages Its Programs to Support the SME Sector."
Dr. Hippolyte Fofack has more than 20 years of experience in development economics, international trade, banking and international finance and academia. Prior to joining the African Export-Import Bank, he was with the World Bank Group, where he served in several capacities, including as senior economist and head of the Macroeconomic and Growth Research Program. In 2005, Dr. Fofack was elected to the African Academy of Sciences, a continental organization dedicated to the furtherance of science and its use for economic development and welfare improvement. He has served on the advisory board of Lincoln University in Pennsylvania and is a member of the Africa Society of the National Summit on Africa Board of Directors. He is also a member of several leading professional and scientific organizations, including the American Economic Association and the African Finance and Economic Association. Dr. Fofack has been a guest editor of several prominent journals, including The World Bank Economic Review and Economic History of Developing Regions. Dr. Fofack has been published extensively, is Editor-in-Chief of Contemporary Issues in African Trade and Trade Finance (CIAT) and is a member of several editorial boards, including the Journal of African Development, the Journal of African Trade and the Gulf Economics Journal.

Dr. Francis Mangeni – Honored Featured Speaker
Head of Trade Promotion & Programs, Advisor to AfCFTA Secretary General
Speaker Topic: "AfCFTA: How It Supports SME Participation in Regional Trade."
Dr. Francis Mangeni has worked and consulted extensively on the multilateral trade system and African economic integration. He is a senior fellow with the Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance and has served as head of trade promotion and programs with the AfCFTA and director of trade customs and monetary affairs with the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa. He has served as advisor to the Minister of Commerce and Industry of the government of Malawi, senior economist at the Permanent Delegation of the African Union to the United Nations and regional trade policy advisor at the Commission of the African Union, and acted as a consultant for numerous regional and international organizations. His analytical work has focused on the social and economic implications of economic reforms, negotiation preparation and trade opportunities. Dr. Mangeni's analyses have informed key initiatives for economic integration throughout Africa and served as a basis for advice to African diplomats attending World Trade Organization conferences and trade negotiations with Africa's major partners.

Magali Rheault
Regional Director, Sub-Saharan Africa, Gallup World Poll
Topic: "Current Africa Business Environment for SMEs & Regional Economies."
Magali Rheault is Regional Research Director for sub-Saharan Africa for the Gallup World Poll. As the largest independent source of global survey research, the World Poll measures the most important issues people around the world face. Ms. Rheault leads survey research operations across the African continent and is responsible for sampling, questionnaire design, field staff training and quality control. Her main research interests focus on the intersection of governance, economic growth and human development in sub-Saharan Africa. As an academically trained urban planner, Ms. Rheault focuses on big-picture thinking to better understand how people's surroundings shape their perceptions and opinions. She is passionate about translating data into information and knowledge to help clients incorporate survey findings into impactful initiatives.