This Web Conference will be hosted by Mike Murphy, broadcaster and presenter of the Senior Times podcast.

This Web Conference will be opened by President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, who will be introduced by Brendan Howlin TD, former Irish Health for Minister, former leader of the Irish Labour Party and Vice President of AEPI.

Speakers Include:

Hon. Martha Karua, Former Minister for Justice in Kenya, member of the AEPI Advisory Board and social justice advocate.

Lord (David) Chidgey, Chair of the UK All-Party Parliamentary Group’s Report, “Lessons from Ebola Affected Communities”, and Board Member, AEPI.

Dr. Ciara Conlan, Medical Doctor working in infectious diseases and a member of Access to Medicines Ireland.

Ms. Sally Hayden, Award-Winning Irish Journalist based in Uganda covering Uganda, Sudan and migration issues in Libya.

Dr. Ouma Oluga, Chief Officer of Health at the Nairobi Metropolitan Service, Kenya.

Prof. Nazarius Mbona Tumwesigye, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Makerere University School of Public Health, Uganda.

Mr. Bidemi Bayode, Public Relations, Communications and Digital Strategy Associate at The Youth Cafe, a pan-African youth empowerment organisation.

How is Africa responding to the threat of Covid-19? Is it realistic for African countries to go on lockdown – or is social distancing an impossible ask? What has been learnt from the responses to past epidemics, particularly Ebola, and what can Africa teach the world through its experiences of public health emergencies? And what are opportunities for all of us, Africans and Europeans, in comparing and combining our approaches to Covid-19?

Following our recent comprehensive analysis of how Covid-19 impacts young people, The Youth Cafe's Public Relations, Communications and Digital Strategy Associate Bidemi Bayode, will be taking part at a high-level conference put together by European-African Parliamentary Initiative. Scheduled for Tuesday, 21st April 2020, 9.30 am to 11 am (UTC+1).

About African-European Parliamentarians Initiative

Organizer of Responding to Covid-19: The Situation in Africa

The purpose of AEPI support in strengthening parliaments is to promote democratic political processes through the empowering of key democratic institutions and accountability mechanisms. Parliaments are a pillar of democracy and ideally provide the principal forum for articulating public concern, influencing governmental policy and overseeing key governance processes. They also provide a potentially valuable partner in pursuing development objectives and the promotion of human rights strategies. An effective parliament is therefore vital in securing a stable political settlement and system of governance which is responsive to the people.