Fr. Mike is a Chaplain at Mpelembe Secondary School in Kitwe - Zambia. He is a pioneer member of the Pan-African Institute of Research and Innovation and one of the pioneers of the Healing of Memories Institute - Zambia. He holds a Master of Arts in Peace and Conflicts Studies from the Copperbelt University (Zambia), a Diploma in Community-Based Work With Children And Youths (TEVETA – REPSSI), a Certificate in Teaching Methodology (Technical And Vocational Teacher’s College), a Post-Graduate Diploma in Human Rights (University of Zambia), a Bachelor of Arts in Sacred Theology at the Pontifical Urbaniana University (St. Dominic’s Major Seminary), and a Diploma in Philosophy And Religious Studies (St. Augustine Catholic Philosophical College. He is a Seasoned School counsellor with over 15 years of experience as a priest, in youth ministry, pastoral care and spiritual leadership to school, Parish and Deanery apostolates. He has a successful background in professional counseling, organisational leadership, conflict resolution, peacebuilding, youth ministry programmes and youth mission-oriented strategic planning and volunteer programme coordination. As a Pragmatic School Chaplain, he is well vest in Narrative 4, Healing of Memories facilitation, life skills education, family ministry, youth accompaniment, and young couple’s ministry/pastoral care. He previously served as Curate Priest at St. Anthony’s Mission – Mpongwe (2008-2011), Parish Priest of St. Francis – Kalulushi (2011-2013), St. Pius the Tenth Parish – Chililabombwe (2013-2015) and Francisdale Mission and Fatima Girls Secondary School – Fatima (2015-2017) and currently works at Mpelembe Secondary School since 2017. He is currently a member of the Zambia Counselling Council, the Narrative 4 Zambia, a recent past President of the Association of Zambian Diocesan Catholic Clergy (ADZACC) and now a full member of the Chingola Secondary School Alumni (CHiSSA).

Nachilala Nkombo is the Former Country Director for the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) in Zambia. Since joining WWF in 2018, she led the WWF International conservation strategy in Zambia via a range of innovative science, policy, green finance, and field initiatives aimed at protecting and restoring Zambia’s rich biodiversity and contributing to sustainable development outcomes. Some of the programmes included the restoration of depleted wildlife species and restoration of degraded forests, the empowerment of communities most affected by climate change and environmental degradation with sustainability knowledge and sustainable livelihoods, and the conservation of critical freshwater resources. Her work involved working with policymakers, business leaders, and community leaders to spearhead national-level sustainable development policy initiatives, as well as green finance initiatives and collective actions to secure and advance Zambia’s sustainable development agenda. Ms. Nkombo is a leading voice on innovations in biodiversity conservation and sustainable agriculture in Zambia and in Africa. She is working alongside UN Biofin Zambia, FMO, ZANACO, ABSA the Zambia Capital Markets Association, the Development Bank of Zambia, and the Zambian Securities and Exchange Commission of Zambia to catalyse a range of green finance instruments in Zambia. These include the green bonds and the SME green outcomes fund. Ms. Nkombo has extensive African experience as former Deputy Director, Africa Director for ONE.org. She also previously served as Africa Regional Coordinator for Action Aid International and Country Director for MS ActionAid Denmark in Zambia. She is an Economist by training and holds a master’s degree in public policy from the University of Potsdam in German. Nachilala has spoken at the World Economic Forum on Africa, the African Green Revolution Forum, the African Public Private Partnerships Network and the Africa Union Agriculture and Trade Ministers Conference, the Open Government Partnership Forum in Africa amongst others. She recently served on the global WWF Network Executive team, Malabo Montpellier Panel, and serves as board chair for the Lusaka Water Security Initiative board, and as board chair for Mulonga Water and Sewerage Company. Nachilala also spearheaded a partnership with ZANACO and Kukula Capital to develop a Green Outcomes Fund that would provide green financing to SMEs and MSMEs. Since 2021, she has also been leading efforts with international partners to explore a debt-for-nature swap feasibility for Zambia. In further advancing the call to action on climate change, Nachilala co-founded the Women Leaders for Climate Action which aims to amplify the voices of women and vulnerable communities affected by climate change, mobilise green financing, and influence policy towards environmental conservation.

Fr. Dr. Peter Nathanael Bwanali is a Jesuit Priest from Malawi. Currently, he is the Head of the Department of Governance in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at Copperbelt University. He is also an External Examiner for Arrupe Jesuit University in Harare (Zimbabwe). Dr. Bwanali holds a doctorate in Philosophy (Marquette University, USA), a Master’s Degree in Philosophy (Marquette University, USA), a Licentiate Degree in Theology (Weston School of Theology, USA), and has Bachelor’s degrees in Philosophy (St. Pierre Canisius, Democratic Republic of the Congo) and Theology (Hekima College, Kenya). He previously has lectured in Philosophy at Marquette University (Milwaukee, USA), twice at Fordham University (New York, USA), the Zambia Catholic University (Kalulushi, Zambia), and currently, the Copperbelt University (Kitwe, Zambia). He has been a regular reviewer of Philosophy books for the International Philosophical Quarterly. Further, he has been Chairperson of the following boards: Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) and Kasisi Agricultural Technical College (KATC). In addition, Dr. Bwanali has been a board member of Hekima College in Kenya (now a Jesuit University College) and Arrupe College in Zimbabwe (now Arrupe Jesuit University) as well as a member of the Commissio Mixta (a Jesuit Board that oversaw European and African Jesuit relations). Currently, he is a member of the Ethics Committee for the Medical School at Copperbelt University. From time to time Dr. Bwanali supervises MA Students from the Development Studies Programme of the Zambia Catholic University.

Dr. Privilege Hang’andu is a governance, institutional, social, and public policy expert based in Ottawa, Canada. He holds a PhD in Public Policy from the University of Saskatchewan, MA in Political Science from Marquette University, and BA honors degree in Philosophy and Humanities from the University of Zimbabwe. He currently works for the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and he is a faculty member at the Canada School of Public Service. He has previously worked as a Sessional Lecturer in the Political Studies Department and at the Johnson-Shoyama School of Public Policy at the University of Saskatchewan. He has also previously worked as a Senior Lecturer in Political Science at the University of Lusaka (Zambia). His other present professional engagements include being a Cluster Reviewer (Comparative Political Studies), a Reviewer for Global Social Policy (with a focus on social policy, comparative democratisation in the global South, disability policy, and gender policy), and a Research Fellow at the Policy Research, Southern African Institute for Policy and Research (SAIPAR). He is currently a member of the Institute of Public Administration of Canada, the Editorial Board (Disability and the Global South), and the Canadian Coalition for Global Health Research (CCGHR). He is the author of several book chapters and journal articles including Policy Change and paradigm shifts in Sub-Saharan Africa: implementing the Africa Mining Vision and Scales of Ideational Policy Influence: A Multi-Level, Actor-Centric, and Institutionalist Approach to the Role of Ideas in African Social Policy. He is a renowned scholar who has been invited to present at different international platforms including at the G20 meetings in Pittsburgh (USA), UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, and World Social Forum in Brazil, among other countries. He has received a number of distinguished awards and research scholarships.

Mrs. Syreeta Mlongoti Chitengi is currently the General Manager of Zambia Cluster, Yara Fertilizer. She is a seasoned business leader with over 19 years of experience in private corporate business, of which 15 years have been in Executive Management giving P&L oversight across shipping and logistics, manufacturing, FMCG, and security, passionate not only about achieving organisational results but developing and adding value to people. She is also experienced with overall P&L business responsibility, and successful experience in driving results by managing and developing teams, strategy, entrepreneurship, operational excellence, building relationships, and maximising both internal and external resources. She has held the following positions, Sales Director at Unilever Kenya, Managing Director at Unilever Zambia, General Manager at Binastore - Lafarge Zambia, General Manager at CMA CGM & DELMAS Shipping Agency, Zambia, Country Manager at AP Moller Maersk, Zambia, and as a Consultant for the World Bank Country Office, Zambia. She holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Strategic Business Management from the University of Central Lancanshire UK and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Development Studies and Public Administration from the University of Zambia. She is an advocate for African Excellence and believes in the power of Transformational Servant Leadership to transform and unlock human progress through dialogue and action to help solve the most important challenges facing Zambia, Africa, and the world. She also believes in full social, economic, and political equality for women, as key to sustainable development, and she is a champion of commerce for economic empowerment and wealth creation for citizens and nations for human progress.

Dr. Antoinette C. Tsiboe-Darko is a Research Fellow and a social development analyst with special focus on the needs, growth and social changes taking place within natural resourced communities. Antoinette holds a PhD in Development Studies from the University of Ghana, MPhil. in International Development Studies from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim (Norway), and B.A. Hons. in Geography and Resource Development with Archaeology from the University of Ghana. She has extensive experience spanning over 20 years in carrying out investigative research, community engagement and sensitisation exercises, gender studies and social impact studies. She has facilitated dialogue and engagement in the provision of social interventions in many communities within Ghana and Burkina Faso. She incorporates governance, political structures and institutions as key concepts to provide a deeper understanding of the developmental changes taking place in these communities and the benefits these have in building sustainable societies. Antoinette lectures in various graduate level courses in Social and Public Policy at the Centre for Social Policy Studies, College of Humanities, University of Ghana, where she has held the following positions: Short Courses and Seminar Coordinator for the Centre; Coordinator for the Ghanaian Partnership, Pedagogical Leadership in Africa (PedaL) Project, member of the College and University academic boards. She has organised and trained policy makers in private and public sector organisations. Since June 2021, she has been serving as an Executive Director of Danquah Institute, where she undertakes advocacy programmes in health and education, political research and strategy including polls and surveys that give advice on the outcomes of general elections. She has served on different boards and extensional services including an advisory board member at the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, Ghana; A member of the Appiatse Support Fund, a council member for the Fosu College of Education, and Board Member of Tema Oil Refinery, member of the Steering Committee for the Ghana Skills Development Fund, Board Member for the Heritage and Cultural Society of Africa. She has authored a number of peer- reviewed book chapters and journal articles. She is a public speaker and has made presentations at different national and international conferences, seminars and workshops. Antoinette is married with four children. She loves to read, write and dance.

Dr. Dorcas Beryl Otieno is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Environmental Studies and Community Development at Kenyatta University. She is a Kenyatta University UNESCO Chair for Green Economy and Sustainability. She is also a founder and Executive Director of Kenya Organization for Environmental Education (KOEE). She holds PhD and Masters in Environmental Education from the Kenyatta University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Education from University of Nairobi. She has also obtained several educational certificates enterprise development, green economy, education for sustainable development, business, corporate governance, NGO and institutional management, and leadership. She has been a Chairperson of the Board of management, National Environment Management Authority, Vice Chair of the African Civil Society Committee for the UNEP Governing Council, and Vice Chair Person of the Board of Management, National Environment Management Authority. She has, among others positions, served as a Coordinator of Kenyatta University/Nottingham Trent University Academic Link on Gender Environmental Development Education and Professional Development. She has been a member of the Kenya National Technical Working Committee Developing the Kenya ESD policy for the Ministry of Education, the Green Economy Strategy and Implementation Plan, the Advisory committee of the Centre for Gender Studies, the Kenya Steering Committee for Education for Sustainable Development Implementing the UNESCO DESD, the Nile Basin Kenya Country Environmental Education Steering Committee, the NEMA Board Sub-committee on Research and Development, the NEMA Board Sub-committee on Finance and Development, and the African Civil Society for the UNEP Governing Council. She is a prolific writer who has published widely, and has made presentations at different national and international fora. She is an experienced scholar and UNESCO trainer in education for sustainable development and climate action. She has further undertaken a number of consultancy research under the auspices of WWF, UNESCO, East African Community, UNEP, among others. She is a sustainability judge at Kenya Bankers Association, a facilitator at Pan African Climate Justice Alliance and has also Served on the United Nations University (UNU) Education for Sustainable Development Africa (ESDA) project Committee as the convener. She is also a member of Research Ethics committee at Kenyatta University and a Member of the Committee that developed the UN E-learning Initiative (UN e Learn) on mainstreaming environmental education and technology-supported learning in Africa, through contributions to The African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN). Dr. Dorcas has also been a Coordinator, the Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) Greater Nairobi, for Implementing Education for Sustainable Development under the UNESCO DESD and a Chair Person, The Executive committee of the International Sustainability Watch Programme. Additionally, she is a member of International Network of Teacher Education Institutions (INTEI). She has received awards and recognition including Kenya Presidential Award (Order of the Grand Warrior of Kenya), and Mashujaa Award from County Government of Vihiga (Kenya) in recognition of her work in education for sustainable development in the County. She is a member of many professional bodies including Kenya UNESCO Chairs Network, Kenya Green Universities Network, Kenya Interfaith Network for Action on Environment, Africa Adaptation Knowledge Network, Association of African Universities, Regional Center of Expertise Greater Nairobi on ESD and Rotary International (Rotary Club of Nairobi).

Dr. Nalukui Milapo is a Research Fellow and Head of the Institute of Economic and Social Research (INESOR) Governance Research Programme at the University of Zambia (UNZA). She holds a PhD in International Politics from Shandong University in China, a Master of Arts Degree in Development Studies with a specialisation in Governance and Democracy from the Institute of Social Studies (now Erasmus University), The Hague, Netherlands, and a Bachelor of Arts Degree double major in Library and Information Studies and Sociology from UNZA. Her additional educational certificates are in strategic planning and implementation, results-based monitoring and evaluation, governance for development in Africa, African programme of rethinking development economics, ICTs for efficient elections and democracy deepening and broadening, understanding corruption in governance, democracy building, gender knowledge and knowledge networks in international political economy, understanding governance indicators, and organisational leadership. These certificates were obtained from renowned local and international institutions including Galilee International Management Institute - Israel/UNZA, IDEA International- Canada/UNZA, Westminster Foundation for Democracy, London, and the University of London - School of Oriental and African Studies. She previously served as Coordinator/Programme Officer (Democracy and Governance Reform Programme) of the OASIS Forum Secretariat, as Activity Manager at USAID Zambia, and as Programme Officer for PACT Zambia. She is an experienced scholar with vast knowledge and experience in governance and sustainable development. She has undertaken several research consultancies including World Bank School-Related Gender-Based Violence for Keeping Girls in School Project, DEMO Finland Project on Strengthening the Political Participation of Persons with Disabilities in Zambia, Africa Development Bank Zambia Support to Science and Technology Education Project, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation National Information Management System for Informing Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience Building (Zambia and Zimbabwe) Scoping Study, and EU Partnership for Democracy Assessment of Performance of Social Safeguards in World Bank Financed Projects in Zambia. She has also offered technical support to government institutions including the Anti-Corruption Commission, Immigration Department, Drug Enforcement Commission, and National Assembly. Her expertise is further evident in her technical support to international and local civil society organisations. She is an eloquent public speaker and a distinguished author, who has received accolades from within the African continent and beyond. She has been a Board Member of the Zambia Association of University Women, Our Civic Duty Association (OCIDA), and FODEP, and she is currently the Board Chair of the Zambia National Housing Authority.