Africa’s youth population, the largest in the world, held the key to our shared future. It was crucial that we became informed and involved in what was shaping every element of our lives. The event offered first-hand accounts of lives changed and insights from an outstanding panel. The discussion started with The Conduit’s co-founder, Paul Van Zyl, and was followed by Dr. Taddy Blecher, a prominent innovator in exponential education. The panel also explored the impact of meditation and the role of the arts and celebrities in driving positive change. Insights were provided by multiple award-winners and Emmy-nominated Brian Cox and Nicole Ansari-Cox. Dr Tahirih Danesh, the CEO of Africa College Foundation (ACF), spoke about opportunities for those in the UK to get involved as donors, supporters, or impact investors. The panel was chaired by Kate Kuper, a Director at Bateleur Partners and a trustee of ACF, and included live presentations from South Africa.

The event was sponsored by Bank of America.

Speakers:

Brian Cox CBE is a classically-trained Shakespearean actor and advocate for education and the arts. His work spans film, television, and theater, earning him numerous awards and accolades. Beyond the stage and screen, Brian is deeply committed to using his platform to promote positive change and advance education. He has won a range of awards for his contributions to performing arts, including Primetime Emmy, Screen Actors Guild, BAFTA, Laurence Olivier, and Golden Globe. He is nominated for a 2024 Emmy in the category of lead actor  in a drama series for his work in Succession.

Taddy Blecher (Honoris causa)is an actuary and management consultant, passionate about the impact of education. Hailed by visionary extraordinaire, Sir Richard Branson, his co-founder of the Branson School of Entrepreneurship. He is a Young Global Leader of the World, Global Leader of Tomorrow Award recipient, Chairperson of the South African National Government Council on Entrepreneurship, Education and Job Creation, faculty member at the Singularity University, and leads the Maharishi Invincibility Institute and The Imvula Empowerment Trust.

Nicole Cox is an award-winning director, producer, actress, and a passionate advocate for the impact of healing arts, including yoga and meditation, in personal growth and societal change. She has dedicated her life to fostering mindfulness and well-being, working with organisations and individuals to integrate meditation into daily life. She is the creator of Actors Rising, a program for actors and speakers merging the spiritual path with the Arts.

Paul van Zyl (Honoris causa) is a lawyer and activist. He served as the Executive Secretary of South Africa’s post-apartheid Truth and Reconciliation Commission before co-founding the International Center for Transitional Justice in 2001. He is the CEO of Maiyet, a luxury fashion brand that celebrates and cultivates traditional design and culture, and a co-founder of The Conduit connecting  thinkers, leaders, and innovators in social change, business, and the arts to force impact for the greater good. Paul was named by London Tech Week as one of its 30 Change Makers, celebrating the companies and people harnessing technology to inspire social and economic impact and drive global innovation.

Tahirih Danesh (PhD law) focuses on increasing enjoyment of socioeconomic rights and development in private and third sector entities. She has contributed to a range of publications, including in human rights, policy and education. Particularly passionate about young marginalised and minority communities, she is a serial civic entrepreneur, an advocate of the United Nations Global Compact Principles and a member of The 30% Club. Raised and inspired by some of the most impactful figures who helped shape the rise of her native Iran, following her escape to the west, she has lived and worked with a third of the world’s cultures. She remains most passionate about elevating shared consciousness through practical approaches to complex processes.

Kate Kuper is an established board contributor and strategic leader with excellent judgement and impact focus. This is honed by 30 years of operational and board roles in emerging markets, strategy, philanthropy and impact investment. Kate’s board and investment committee experience includes BRAC, the London Evening Standard Dispossessed Fund, Access: The Foundation for Social Investment, the GROW Movement and Africa College Foundation. In her career she worked for the World Bank Group (including the IFC’s Mining Dept), Bain & Company and Government of South Africa under Nelson Mandela before building a leading education foundation.

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