A resounding success for the 4th edition of the Nkelo Bantu forum - Katanga edition, which took place from October 2 to 7 in the Greater Katanga region of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The forum made its mark by being held simultaneously in two emblematic cities: Lubumbashi and Kolwezi.
Under the captivating theme "Human rights in the workplace", the forum's activities were officially launched on Monday October 2 at the Centre Arrupe pour la Recherche et la Formation (CARF) in Lubumbashi. Inspiring speeches by H.E. Mr Henric Råsbrant, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Sweden, and Djo Moupondo, Executive Director of Sodeico Holding, set out the vision for the unique platform that is Nkelo Bantu.
On Tuesday, October 3, a high-level panel addressed the theme "Overcoming investment challenges in the DRC and unlocking opportunities for sustainable development - What opportunities lie ahead?". Eminent personalities such as the Swedish Ambassador, Louis Watum - President of the Chamber of Mines and PCA of Kico Mining, Karim Benard Dende, Country Director of Internews, and Trésor Nyembo Kilwa, DP of the new Chambre de Commerce Nationale et de l'économie du Haut Katanga, shared their perspectives.
This was followed by three workshops on topics of crucial importance, such as the role of the media in promoting the image of the DRC, the promotion of human rights in the workplace, and the creation of a sustainable investment and trade environment to stimulate job creation.
The second part of the event took place in Kolwezi, on October 7, at the Moon Palace Hotel. An enlightening panel on demystifying the mining sector in the DRC was followed by three workshops on managing and developing human capital in the mining sector, working with trade unions for mining companies, and corporate responsibility in skills transfer.
Sodeico, NIR, Mutanda Mining, Unicef, Enabel, Entreprise Générale de Cobalt, Olof Palm Center, Sida, ONUDI, Union Nationale des Travailleurs du Congo, Confédération Démocratique du Travail and ITOT Africa actively participated in this year's event.
With over 240 dynamic and committed participants, the 2023 edition of the Nkelo Bantu forum was a complete success. Solid resolutions were defined during the frank dialogues that took place at each session, achieving all the objectives set.
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all participants for their invaluable contribution, as well as to our partners who believed in this edition and supported us. Together, we'll continue to build a strong Congo!
We look forward to seeing you at our next events,
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