19th International Conference on Small and Medium Enterprises (ICSME) Durban

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Jun 282013
 

The WASME 19th annual International Conference on SMEs will be held under the theme: “Beyond the downturn-Revitalising the global economy through small and medium enterprises” and will examine SME policies and support programmes. The Conference will be held at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban, 18th to 21st September, 2013.

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The World Association for Small and Medium Enterprises’ (WASME) annual International Conference on Small and Medium Enterprise development (ICSME) is a prestigious annual event, which brings together under one roof business support organisations, policy makers, banks and financial institutions, international experts, academics, entrepreneurs, UN and other international and multi-national aid agencies involved in small business development.

Ashish J Thakkar, founder of Mara Group, will feature as headline speaker at the 19th WASME International Conference on SMEs. Billed as Africa’s youngest billionaire (a title he eschews) and named by the World Economic Forum as a Young Global Leader, Ashish is a serial entrepreneur who started his first business at the age of 15 years. Today Mara Group operates in 26 countries, employing 7,000 people.

Taking place under the theme Beyond the downturn: Revitalising the global economy through small and medium enterprises, the 19th WASME ICSME will examine past and current impact of the global economic slowdown which started in 2008 on small business start-up, survival and growth. Issues to be examined include: How have different countries responded to mitigate the negative impact on small businesses? What lessons have been learnt? What significance do different nations now place on the role of small business in stabilising the still fragile world economy and re-launching it onto a new growth path? What policies, strategies and programmes are being adopted to put small business at the heart of future growth? Conference topics include:

  • Creating enabling SME startup and growing conditions through improving the regulatory environment and strengthening small business advocacy
  • Cities and towns driving the development of sustainable and competitive SMEs – the case of the City of Durban and its sister cities abroad
  • Fostering technology-based entrepreneurship and small business – policies, methodologies and practices for effective stimulation of innovation, technology transfer and technology commercialisation
  • Fostering SME-based industrialisation – strategies, programmes, experiences and future directions
  • Encouraging and supporting SME internationalisation and export growth through globally-competitive SME clusters and networks
  • Strengthening SME competitiveness, sustainability and profitability through cleaner production techniques
  • Increasing start-up and SME funding through non-traditional financing – with special emphasis on crowd funding and angel investing
  • Increasing small business presence in the global marketplace through digital marketing

Leading policymakers, experts and entrepreneurs from around the world will present their views and ideas on the above topics and more. Breakaway sessions will discuss each topic in-depth and formulate proposals to inform current and future policy and practice in each of these areas around the world.

ICSME 2013 features leading speakers from around the world, including government Ministers and policymakers, SME promotion practitioners, experts and entrepreneurs themselves. Please check here regularly for speaker profiles, which will be updated continually as invited speakers confirm.

We are pleased to announce that the following international speakers are now confirmed for the 19th ICSME:

  • Mr Ashish J Thakkar Founder, Mara Group (United Arab Emirates)
  • Ms Christin Pfeiffer Secretary General, International Network for Small and Medium Enterprises (Italy)
  • Mr Gyan P. Agarwal Secretary General, WASME (India)
  • Dr. Khaled Nagaty CEO, Metropolitan Consulting (Egypt)
  • Mr Mark Brennan Commissioner, Australian Small Business Commissioner (Australia)
  • Dr Paolo Anselmo President, Italian Business Angels Network Association (Italy)
  • Mr Paul Niederer CEO, Australian Small Scale Offerings Board (Australia)
  • Dr P C Sabharwal Senior Adviser, WASME (India)
  • Mr Rajat Batra CEO, STENUM Asia Sustainable Development Society (India)
  • Mr Rohit Shukla CEO, Larta Institute (USA)
  • Mr T.R. Bajalia Deputy Managing Director, Small Industries Development Bank of India (India)
  • Mr Vedat Kunt CEO, VEGO Consulting (Turkey)

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International Project Management, Strategic Planning and Budgeting Conference, Sandton

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Jun 262013
 

ATM Global Business Solutions and Associates is proud to host an International Conference on Project management, Strategic Planning and Budgeting at the Radisson Blue Hotel in Sandton, Johannesburg during 16 – 20 September 2013.

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ATM Global Business Solutions is a globally positioned body that addresses global solutions that are tailor made and suits the customer’s specifications and needs. This year’s conference themes are positions to address challenges  and  problems  that are encountered in project managements, budgeting as well as administrations including the strategically approaches in planning.

Project management is the discipline of planning, motivating, organizing and controlling resources to achieve specific goals. A project is a temporary endeavor with a defined beginning and end (usually time-constrained and often constrained by deliverables or  funding).

Whilst project management is essential, Strategic planning is also the most essential element that determines the overall success of a project. It is the overall planning that facilitates the proper management of a process.

Strategic planning takes one outside the day-to-day activities of your organization or project. It is the main objective of this conference to gather experts from around the world to come together to discuss the latest development in strategic planning and project managements. Financial resources also contribute almost 75% of the success of the project. It is therefore that this year’s conference will focus on aspects such as Project implementation, project planning, and budgeting.

The conference is designed to provide educational opportunities for a diverse group of organizations and individuals working on projects and programmes that require strategic planning and project management. The resulting target audience includes professionals, peer support specialists, project management specialists researchers,  project managers, educators and other professionals engaged in project planning and management. The conference will also be beneficial to individuals and groups who have experienced lack of project management skills. To be specific, the following audience are invited:

1. Government secretaries

2. Administrators

3. PA and Personal Assistances to executives

4. Project managers

5. Executive chairpersons

6. Executive management

7. Private entities

8. NPOs and NGOs

9. International Companies

10. Regional Associates

11. Global organizations

12. Project Leaders.

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2013 LARASA Congress in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal

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Jun 212013
 

LARASA will be hosting the 2nd international Congress from 15 – 19 September 2013 at the Tsogo Sun, Sun Coast Convention Centre in Durban. The theme of the Congress is Leisure, Social Cohesion and Transformation. The sub themes include  Wellbeing and Health, Built Environment, Special Social Advocacy, Populations, Playgrounds and Parks, Tourism, Leisure Management and Education.

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The successful inaugural LARASA Congress held at the International Convention Centre, in March 2012 created a lasting impression on all delegates who are looking forward to enjoying the rich heritage, hospitality and warmth of KwaZulu-Natal, Zulu Kingdom, once again. Presenters and delegates are expected from the following countries : South Africa, Australia, Belgium, China, Croatia, Colombia, Italy, Kenya, Malaysia, Mauritius, Spain, Slovakia, Switzerland, Taiwan,  Turkey, Uganda, United States of America, Zimbabwe.

This is not a typical organization or standard conference opportunity, but an opportunity to be a part of a globally networked organization which, at the end of the Congress, will leave behind a legacy for all communities to enjoy.

LARASA firmly believes in the value and benefits of Leisure and Recreation to improve the quality of life of all citizens and to transform cities into Leisure destinations. We extend an invitation to you to learn more about leisure and to meet renowned speakers from South Africa and  internationally,  who will share their knowledge and experience in the comfort of a modern and technologically advanced meeting venue.

The sub themes reflects the rich diversity of the Leisure industry and provides a holistic approach to the congress for the benefit of the delegates :

  • Health and Wellbeing – promoting Physical Activity, alternative  therapies, healthy / active lifestyle,  non-communicable diseases, employee wellbeing, HIV/Aids, obesity
  • Built Environment / Environmental awareness / Environmental justice – includes landscaping, trails, transportation, planning for a leisure city, sustainable cities, preservation of open spaces, natural resource management.
  • Special Populations – disabilities, Therapeutic Recreation / Recreation Therapy, inclusion, mainstreaming, women, children, gender equity, play, families, culture, race, resiliency, boosting self esteem and confidence, correctional services, campus recreation, human development
  • Social advocacy –  systems change, social networks, social justice, developing social capital, human dignity, equity and freedom, human rights, psychological wellbeing.
  • Parks and playgrounds – Outdoor adventure, playground audits, playground design / inclusive playgrounds, playground safety inspectors.
  • Tourism –  contribution of leisure services to economic growth
  • Technology  – Promoting physical activity through technological advances, ecosystems.
  • Leisure Education – Theories, experiential learning, curriculum development, skills development.
  • Leisure and Sport Management – Organizational development, policy development and strategic planning, implementation of services, risk management, municipal best practice, good governance.

 

Keynote Speakers

Ms. Yolande Spears – Vice President of Education & Community Relations at The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts, Connecticut

Dr. Doris R. Corbett is an Associate Professor of Sport Sociology at Howard University.

Prof. Dr. Christopher R. Edginton serves as Secretary General, World Leisure Organization.

Prof. Dr. Karla A. Henderson is a Professor in the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management at North Carolina State University

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Hearing Landscape Critically – Music, Place, and the Spaces of Sound Conference in Stellenbosch

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Jun 192013
 

To find ways to articulate and listen to landscape that challenge established patterns of perception and intervention, and which probe the everyday and archival ruptures and silences exacerbated by social, political and intellectual involvement. This conference will be held at Stellenbosch University on 9 to 10 September 2013.

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Landscapes are divided and dissonant sites of individual and collective being. They bear traces of past, present and future ambitions, interventions and injustices. And yet, their grammars and sounds, whether intimate, instrumentalised or commodified, push at the limits of representation and theory and simultaneously construct systems of ideological, aesthetic, political and historical appropriation.

Following the first meeting at Oxford University, May 2012, the Stellenbosch symposium marks the continuation of an inter-continental and inter-disciplinary project addressing the cross-articulations and intersections of landscape, music, and the spaces of sound. This symposium aims to bring together a wide-ranging number of disciplinary and approaches subjects.

The following themes are envisaged as primary concerns:

Spaces and sounds of power and politics: interpreting reservation, capital, academy, legitimation;

Spaces and sounds of contestation: how landscapes structure and suture struggles of class, nationality, race and education;

Philosophical approaches to the spaces of sound:  transcendental metaphors, the culture/nature debate, epistemologies and ontologies, non-representational theories of social and musical space;

Spaces and sounds of transformation/devastation: ‘junk space’, inter-state freeways, sprawling suburbs, shopping malls, non-places;

Landscape as utopian, dystopian or heterotopia;

Urban landscapes, or landscapes that confound simple rural/urban divides.

Keynote speakers:

Prof. Cherryl Walker (Department of Sociology and Social Anthropology, Stellenbosch University)
Prof. Richard Taruskin (Department of Music, University of California, Berkeley)

Invited speakers and artists:

Jonathan Cross (Faculty of Music, University of Oxford)
Jessica Dubow (Department of Geography, University of Sheffield)
Angela Impey (Department of Music, School of African and Oriental Studies, University of London)
Christine Lucia (Stellenbosch University)
Aryan Kaganof (Filmmaker)
Winfried Lüdemann (Stellenbosch University)
Edwin Cameron (Constitutional Court justice, South Africa)
Willem Boshoff (Visual artist)
Kyle Shepherd (Jazz musician, composer)
Fiona Tozer, Neo Muyanga, Hendrik Hofmeyr (Composer panel)
Hans Huyssen, Theo Herbst (Composer round table)

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Adaptive Optics for Industry & Medicine (AOIM2013) Stellenbosch

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Jun 142013
 

The aim of the workshop held at STIAS Conference Centre in Stellenbosch, 2 – 6 September 2013 is to explore the use of innovative adaptive optical elements, concepts and systems as they relate to medical devices, high power lasers, imaging, microscopy and industrial lasers.

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The International Workshop on Adaptive Optics for Industry and Medicine (AOIM) provides engineers and scientists from both academia and industry with opportunities to explore, current practices, future trends and recent developments in adaptive optics and related fields. A key feature of this single-session meeting is the relaxed atmosphere with all participants encouraged to discuss and present their work either as a poster or a talk.

Topics will include:

Adaptive optical (AO) devices,

Digital holography in AOs,

AO in imaging systems,

Applications of AOs.

Wavefront sensing and measurement,

Aberration correction,

Spatial light modulators,

Invited Speakers

Prof.David Williams (University of  Rochester, USA)

Prof.Stefan Piehler (University of  Stuttgart, Germany)

Prof. Martin Booth (University of Oxford, UK)

Prof. Juan Bueno (University of  Murcia, Spain)

Prof. Gordon Love (University of Durham, UK)

Dr Rocio Borrego Varillas (University of  Jaume I,  Spain)

Dr Michael Duparre (University of  Jena, Germany)

Prof Jesus Lancis Saez (University of  Jaume I, Spain)

Important Dates:

1 Oct 2012 1st call

30 Jan 2013 Abstracts due

30 April 2013 Registration for authors

30 June 2013 Registration deadline

30 July 2013 Payment of registration fees

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Press Regulation and Accountability Conference in Pretoria

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Jun 122013
 

The Press Regulation and Accountability Conference will be held on the 30th of August 2013 at the UNISA main campus in Muckleneuk, Pretoria, Gauteng.

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In the wake of the UK Leveson enquiry, debates surrounding the regulation of the press and journalistic responsibility have come to the fore on a global stage. This conference aims to address what these developments mean within an African context. It will be hosted jointly by the School of Media and Journalism Studies at Rhodes University, Grahamstown and the Department of Communication Science at UNISA, Pretoria, as part of the collaborative – Media Policy and Democracy Project.

Questions of media accountability and the regulation of the press, have received much attention recently, in South Africa and around the globe.

These debates have raised a number of questions relating to the South African press accountability system including  the level of public trust in the press, the effectiveness of press self-regulation, a perceived lack of quality journalism and a decrease in journalistic ethics, concerns regarding regulation of the press and fears that in South Africa, the freedom of the press are under threat.

The UK phone hacking scandal of have brought to the fore global debates about a decrease in journalistic quality and a lack of journalistic ethics. Critics have argued that the individual’s right to human dignity must be adequately safeguarded from unnecessary damage in the press. A balance should be struck between the right to dignity and the rights of freedom of expression. However, parallel debates continue which are concerned with a marked decline on research indices in global press freedom. Africa registers disappointingly and consistently small press freedom ratings while in many places,  journalists face intimidating barriers to freedom of speech and inhibiting pressure from authorities, regulators and governments.

The main focus of this forum is the following question:

How can the press be best regulated in a way which both improves standards of journalism and holds the press satisfactorily accountable, whilst also safeguarding the freedom of the press from government interference, censorship and self-censorship?

This colloquium will include a variety of the foremost thinkers on press accountability and monitoring, Providing  a platform for the discussion of the various complexities and challenges surrounding the regulation of the press in an emerging democracy. Key media policy makers, will be invited to this event, so that discussions at this forum can both help to inform policy decision makers, as well as feed directly into the expected upcoming discussions on a South African Media Appeals Tribunal.

The key concepts and themes for discussion at this conference are:

  • Normative theories of the press and possible revisions of these perspectives
  • The role(s) and responsibility of the press in an emerging democracy
  • Public trust in the press and transparency in news organisations
  • Press freedom in Africa: a continental perspective
  • Journalistic and editorial ethics and codes of ethics
  • The relationship of the press to government and other centres of power
  • Press freedom and freedom of expression
  • Press accountability and systems of regulation – what is best practice?
  • The global impact of the UK Leveson investigation and related events

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6th Biennial Conference of the Southern African Neurological Rehabilitation Association in Sandton, Johannesburg

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Jun 072013
 

The SANRA Conference is of interest to all healthcare professionals dealing with stroke rehabilitation patients and all patients who need neuro-rehabilitation after a debilitating event. The conference will be held on 28th to 30th August 2013 at the Hilton Hotel 138, Rivonia Road, Sandton, Johannesburg, Gauteng.

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Who Should Attend?

Speech Therapists
Occupational Therapists
Physiotherapists
Psychologists
Nurses
Social Workers
Rehabilitation Doctors
Neurologists
Neurosurgeons
Psychiatrists
Biokineticists
Registrars in the field on Neurology

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African Ports Evolution Forum in Cape Town

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Jun 052013
 

With over 300 high-level executives from 14 countries participating, and over 20 hours of networking – African Ports Evolution Forum held during the 26th to 28th August at the Cape Town International Convention Centre in Cape Town, Western Cape, is a must-attend event in terms of stimulating Africa’s economic growth ports infrastructure.

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African Ports Evolution will address the preparation of African ports to receive the bigger and newer vessels, protecting, developing and improving port facilities; managing congestion and increasing operational efficiency; securing financing for marine infrastructure.

The programme will feature case studies and leading presentations from Africa and abroad with over 40 speakers will be part of the programme including Tau Morwe, the CEO of Transnet National Ports Authority, South Africa. Patricia de Lille, the Executive Mayor of the City of Cape Town, South Africa. Nancy Karigithu, the Managing Director of Kenya Maritime Authority, Kenya. Brian Molefe, Group Chief Executive, Transnet, South Africa.

Why attend?

  • Join in a unique opportunity for collaboration and open dialogue between National Ports Authority and National Revenue Authorities to promote cost-effective cargo clearance process efficiency.
  • Participate in the only event that offers advice throughout every stage of the cycle in the African port expansion project. From managing your RFP process, to completion. You will learn from the experiences of your peers to start your own idea for a successful expansion strategy.

Can your knowledge and technology revolutionise Africa’s ports and terminals?

Expertise needed for an elite audience of terminal operators, port authorities, shipping lines, mineral and coal mining houses, government officials from over fourteen African countries.

  • Get up to date on ports expansion plans by meeting with port engineers and planning directors who will prepare you for tenders before they open.
  • Access hinterland and coastal stakeholders and improve business relationships to strengthen ROI and intermodal connectivity on significant volumes.
  • Meet with maritime decision makers and port peers during over 8 hours of red-carpet networking opportunities.

Hear solutions for enabling network with industry peers and market driven port expansion

The forum will provide attendees with take home future-proofed solutions for boosting the strength of port operations, modernising facilities, and increasing volume and container throughput.

With a lively mix of case study presentations, panel discussions, numerous networking sessions and keynote addresses, do not miss out on this opportunity to learn from Africa’s most recognized figures!

Africa’s ports are bursting at the seams, and trade volumes are only set to increase:

  • Insufficient container storage space for current cargo volumes
  • Long delays with customs clearances
  • Increasing demand for container storage space due to long delays in transit times.
  • Bigger ships are being built that African ports can simply not accommodate

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Power & Electricity World Africa Conference

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Feb 112013
 

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The Power & Electricity World Africa conference is taking place in Johannesburg the 8th to 11th April 2013 at the Sandton Convention Centre. This is Africa’s largest and most holistic power and energy business event including an exhibition, series of seminars, and strategic conference.

The Power & Electricity World Africa conference is also a place where innovation and expertise are showcased, solutions are found, and learning is done. It is the place where solution providers find new business. The conference brings together more than 4,000 key stakeholders and decision makers from across the continent to explore partnership ideas, business trends and investment opportunities in Africa’s power and energy sector.

Key highlights of the conference include:

  • Over 150 free on-floor technical seminars
  • 4 day senior level conference
  • 2 full workshop days
  • Africa Energy Awards

Power & Electricity World Africa will be a world-class two day senior level conference with a Day One plenary. Day two will include five industry tracks, tackling all projects and energy challenges the region is facing. The opening plenary day will focus on everything power related, giving conference delegates insight on where the industry stands at the moment, where existing and new projects are going as well as significant opportunities on the horizon.

The conference will attract a global audience of power producers and solution providers who have the expertise or are interested in getting in to Africa. To provide maximum networking opportunities, formal and informal networking time has been built into the programme. Planned networking includes:

  • Networking drinks receptions
  • Speed networking
  • 1-2-1 partnering

Reasons to Attend the Conference

  • Debate how regional integration can meet growing power demands
  • Discover how to attract investment and increase your infrastructure
  • Learn about upcoming power projects in Africa
  • Learn how to capitalise on gas opportunities in Africa
  • Learn how to use energy trading to develop a continental electricity market

Exhibitions and Seminars 

Over 100 free technical seminar sessions will take place covering the following:

  • Power generation
  • Large energy users
  • Smart T&D
  • Solar power
  • Billing and revenue management

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Viridis Africa – Clean Technology Investment Summit in Johannesburg

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Jan 232013
 

On the 15th & 16th October 2013 the third Clean Technology business and investment matchmaking conference for the African continent is to be held at the Killarney Country Club conference venue in Johannesburg. The event is designed to bring about innovators, inventors, technology partners, academia, project promoters, investors, and government agencies to investigate, evaluate, and illuminate commercial opportunities relating to clean technologies.

The conference is dedicated to entrepreneurs and corporates seeking investment or financial support for the introduction of clean technologies, innovation and related services. The intention of Viridis Africa is to bring together debt financiers, investors and entrepreneurs from Africa and the rest of the world, to jointly explore commercial initiatives in green technologies.

The pre-eminent event for investment in clean technologies throughout Africa will be the place for local and foreign investors to meet with principals of projects in renewable energy, waste treatment and recycling, water and effluent treatment amongst other sectors.

Viridis Africa presents an ideal opportunity to meet up with potential business contacts to identify new investors, partners, business opportunities and deals in the fields of clean tech, renewables and sustainability.

Who should attend the Conference:

  • Entrepreneurs looking for funding to grow their business
  • Corporates looking for new emerging technologies
  • Institutional investors looking for long term assets
  • Venture capitalists and private equity investors looking for clean tech investment opportunities
  • Renewable energy consultants
  • Cogeneration project managers
  • Professional service providers
  • Project developers seeking new initiatives
  • Innovators with new technologies

Limited exhibition space is available for entrepreneurs and industry participants to showcase their innovations or inventions. Fifteen tables of 200 cm x 90 cm are available. Exhibitors are free to make use of stand-up banners to place next to their table.

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