8/12/2019 2014 Press Release Shaping Our Future Conference _UK High Commissioner

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PRESS RELEASE Press & Public Affairs Section

British High CommissionPO Box 50050

LusakaTelephone: +260 21 1 423 200

Fax: +260 21 1 423 291

E-mail: LusakaPressEnquiries@fco.gov.ukhttp://ukinzambia.fco.gov.uk

British Council hosts the second Shaping our Future Conference

The British Council, with support from the British High Commission, yesterdayhosted the third Shaping our Future conference aimed at openingopportunities for Zambias current and emerging leaders to share knowledgeand skills that are key to youth development and employability.

Speaking at the official opening of the Shaping Our Future Conference inLusaka on March 6 2014, British High Commissioner, James Thornton, said:

The UK Government supports activities of this nature, activities that willcreate a more transparent business environment, open markets andpromoting sustainable growth. It is our hope that this conference will provideopportunities for learning, development and networking for future Zambianleaders so that they can contribute to a more prosperous society.

Mr Thornton said the conference presented opportunities for current andemerging leaders to create greater collaboration between the private andpublic sector. He added that the conference is bringing a wealth ofexperienced speakers and contributors that is key to a prosperous society.

The High Commissioner spoke about challenges facing Zambia andemphasised the need to promote entrepreneurship and the right environmentfor foreign investment. I also talked about the importance of education and ofgood governance.

Mr. Wayne Harper, British Council Country Director said:

mailto:lusaka-BHC@fco.gov.ukmailto:lusaka-BHC@fco.gov.uk

8/12/2019 2014 Press Release Shaping Our Future Conference _UK High Commissioner

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The British Council is the UKs cultural relations organi sation. Our mission isto create international opportunities for the people of the UK and othercountries and build trust between them.

This was the third in the conference series Shaping Our Future ; the first set

out the range of areas to consider; the second focused on sustainability; andthe focus of this one was on employability for young people and the role of theprivate sector in this.

This central theme of the conference - the importance of helping youngpeople to get the skills which will help them to find jobs is precisely the areainto which much of the British Councils work in Zambia falls, from our workwith over 200 schools, impacting on over 100,000 Zambian school children,through to providing access to UK qualifications for over 15,000 individuals ayear.

Ends.

Notes for editors

The Zambia 2014 - Shaping our Future conference took place todayMarch at Radisson Blu Hotel, Lusaka. The conference we hoped tocreate a network of future leaders who will be able to contributepositively, use resources and opportunities within Zambia and theregion for the continued development of the country.

The British Council creates international opportunities for the people ofthe UK and other countries and builds trust between them worldwide.We are a Royal Charter charity, established as the UKs internationalorganisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations.

Our 7000 staff in over 100 countries work with thousands ofprofessionals and policy makers and millions of young people everyyear through English, education & society and arts programmes.

The British Council has been present in Zambia continuously since1962 so we celebrated our 50 here years in 2012, two years beforethe very important 50 year celebrations of Zambia s independence thisyear, which we will enthusiastically support.

For further information, please visit the British Council websitewww.britishcouncil.org/africa or contact +260 211 376700 or Press andPublic Affairs Section, British High Commission on +260 211 423200

British High Commission, Lusaka7th March 2014

http://www.britishcouncil.org/africahttp://www.britishcouncil.org/africahttp://www.britishcouncil.org/africa