English 
French Prof. Africa Ariño is Professor of Strategic Management at IESE Business School, University of Navarra, where she holds the Joaquim Molins Figueras Chair of Strategic Alliances. A former President of the Strategic Management Society and an elected Fellow, she is an expert in interorganizational governance and alliance strategy. She holds a PhD from UCLA and has taught at business schools in Nigeria and Kenya. Her research is widely published, and she consults on strategy and governance, especially for SMEs and family businesses.
BeDoCare Conference 2025
Making a difference starts with having purpose, doing with meaning,
and culminates in authentic care for others.
BeDoCare Conference
The BeDoCare forum is a movement aimed at bringing together, inspiring, and supporting individuals and initiatives committed to leaving a positive mark on their communities. Â
Mission
1. To promote dialogue and the exchange of experiences among people who share the motivation for social commitment in all its dimensions.
2. To foster collaboration and networking by organizing thematic activities and meetings.
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3. To act as a catalyst for strategic alliances.
The forum is an offshoot of events and consultations in view of the 2028 Centenary celebrations of Opus Dei, an institution founded by St Josemaria Escriva. Strathmore University ‘s establishment in 1961 was inspired by St. Josemaria. Strathmore has been selected to host the third forum in October 2025 in partnership with Harambee Africa International.
Collaboratively, the two institutions are seeking to explore Africa’s challenges and opportunities in light of aspirations articulated in the Africa Agenda 2063 by the African Union.
The BeDoCare Initiative
To this event we are inviting representatives of the African Union, global and African focused development institutions, the private sector and entrepreneurs, youth and civil society, universities and other educational institutions and international partners including NGOs and foundations.
In May 2013, the African Union made a declaration dedicating Africa towards the attainment of the Pan African Vision of an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens, representing a dynamic force in the international arena.
This birthed the Agenda 2063, a concrete manifestation of how the continent intended to achieve this vision within a 50-year period from 2013 to 2063. With the Agenda setting forth flagship programs to be implemented at National levels, all Actors in Africa, individual and institutional, have a role to integrate the growth process for an equal, inclusive and harmonious human and infrastructural development.
It is in this context that an academic institution such as Strathmore University, a core player in Africa’s capacity development, wishes to host a forum to examine what has been done, what can be done and what needs to be done to ensure that the continent is on a path to attain the Agenda 2063 aspirations.
Work Philosophy
BeDoCare Conference Schedule
To help us organize the conference we would like you to let us know which parallel sessions you would like to attend. To do this, please click on this link
DAY 1
1st October 2025
Keynote 1: Africa in 50 years: Challenges and Opportunities
Keynote 2: Telling the African Story
Workshops theme: Education
Parallel Workshop 1: Universities as Engines of Social and Educational Development.
Parallel Workshop 2: Overcoming Educational Barriers in Low-Income Communities.
Keynote lecture - Nurturing a Culture of Translating Research into Impactful Policies
Reports & Conclusions
DAY 2
2nd October 2025
Theme: Work
Keynote 1: Democracy, Government and Law in Africa
Keynote 2: How Companies Can Improve Competitiveness e
Workshops theme: Future of Work
Shaping Leaders for the Evolving Job Market/Startup Ecosystems.
Vocational Training: Bridging Skill Gaps for Employment.
Empowering the Next Generation in Agriculture.
Youth Leadership and Youth Engagement.
Keynote: Transform Africa Network
Workshop Reports & Conclusions
DAY 3
3rd October 2025
Keynote 1: Sowing Love, Reaping a Culture of Gift: a legacy of St. JosemarÃa
Panel: The Church’s Role in Development in Africa
Workshops on Sustainable Development:
Women in Entrepreneurship: Empowerment Through Business and Innovation.
Green Technologies and Environmental Sustainability.
Arts, Culture and Communication as Development Tools.
Health Initiatives: Successful Health Projects in Africa.
Launch of The BeDoCare Hub
Confirmed Speakers
Dr. Vincent Ogutu
Dr. Vincent Ogutu is the Vice Chancellor of Strathmore University in Kenya. An Organizational Behavior scholar, Dr. Ogutu specialized in the Psychology of Meaningful Work while studying at Rutgers University. He investigated how social entrepreneurs come to see their work as a calling. Not content with studying how meaning is constructed, Dr. Ogutu tries some of the best theory out when helping individuals and organizations find or create meaning, including at Strathmore itself.
Dr. Vincent Ogutu is the Vice Chancellor of Strathmore University in Kenya. An Organizational Behavior scholar, Dr. Ogutu specialized in the Psychology of Meaningful Work while studying at Rutgers University. He investigated how social entrepreneurs come to see their work as a calling. Not content with studying how meaning is constructed, Dr. Ogutu tries some of the best theory out when helping individuals and organizations find or create meaning, including at Strathmore itself.
Carl Manlan
Prior to Visa, Carl served as the Chief Operating Officer at Ecobank Foundation where he led the bank’s social impact work in 33 African markets. He previously held leadership roles at AUDA-NEPAD, the UNDP, and The Global Fund. Carl holds a BA in Politics, Philosophy and Economics from the University of Cape Town and an MPA from Harvard Kennedy School. He is a Mo Ibrahim Foundation Fellow and an Aspen Institute New Voices Senior Fellow.
Prior to Visa, Carl served as the Chief Operating Officer at Ecobank Foundation where he led the bank’s social impact work in 33 African markets. He previously held leadership roles at AUDA-NEPAD, the UNDP, and The Global Fund. Carl holds a BA in Politics, Philosophy and Economics from the University of Cape Town and an MPA from Harvard Kennedy School. He is a Mo Ibrahim Foundation Fellow and an Aspen Institute New Voices Senior Fellow.
Prof Luis Gabriel Franceschi
Prof. Luis Gabriel Franceschi is the Assistant Secretary General of the Commonwealth of Nations, an intergovernmental organisation of 56 countries, 2.7 billion people, one third of the world. He coordinates the Political, Democracy, Electoral, Public Sector Governance, Peace, Rule of Law, Judicial Transformation, Human Rights, and Countering Violence and Extremism work in the 56 member countries. He is also the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting - CHOGM Conference Secretary, and, together with the Head of the Host Country Task Force, oversees the organisation and negotiations throughout the meeting.
Prof. Luis Gabriel Franceschi is the Assistant Secretary General of the Commonwealth of Nations, an intergovernmental organisation of 56 countries, 2.7 billion people, one third of the world. He coordinates the Political, Democracy, Electoral, Public Sector Governance, Peace, Rule of Law, Judicial Transformation, Human Rights, and Countering Violence and Extremism work in the 56 member countries. He is also the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting - CHOGM Conference Secretary, and, together with the Head of the Host Country Task Force, oversees the organisation and negotiations throughout the meeting.
Dr. Julie Gichuru
Founder, President and CEO of the Africa Leadership and Dialogue Institute (ALADI) and former Chief Public Affairs and Communications Officer at the Mastercard Foundation. She has a two-decade career in media, has won the Martin Luther King Salute to Greatness, is a fellow of the Aspen Global Leadership Network/Africa Leadership Initiative, a Tutu Fellow under the Africa Leadership Institute and is an alumnus of the Young Global Leaders under the World Economic Forum. She holds a doctorate from Concordia University, an LLB Law from the University of Wales Cardiff Law School and an MBA from Cardiff University’s Business School. She is a dedicated wife and mother, and a passionate afro-optimist.
Founder, President and CEO of the Africa Leadership and Dialogue Institute (ALADI) and former Chief Public Affairs and Communications Officer at the Mastercard Foundation. She has a two-decade career in media, has won the Martin Luther King Salute to Greatness, is a fellow of the Aspen Global Leadership Network/Africa Leadership Initiative, a Tutu Fellow under the Africa Leadership Institute and is an alumnus of the Young Global Leaders under the World Economic Forum. She holds a doctorate from Concordia University, an LLB Law from the University of Wales Cardiff Law School and an MBA from Cardiff University’s Business School. She is a dedicated wife and mother, and a passionate afro-optimist.
Prof Africa Ariño
Prof. Africa Ariño is Professor of Strategic Management at IESE Business School, University of Navarra, where she holds the Joaquim Molins Figueras Chair of Strategic Alliances. A former President of the Strategic Management Society and an elected Fellow, she is an expert in interorganizational governance and alliance strategy. She holds a PhD from UCLA and has taught at business schools in Nigeria and Kenya. Her research is widely published, and she consults on strategy and governance, especially for SMEs and family businesses.
Dr. Thulani Dlamini
Dr. Thulani Dlamini is the CEO of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and a materials scientist with over 25 years of experience in research and innovation within the petrochemical and RTO sectors. His expertise spans innovation management, technology commercialization, and development strategies. He has served on several national and international boards and committees, including the South African Presidential Commission on the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the UNDP South Africa Programme Board, and the National Advisory Council on Innovation. He is a fellow of the South African Academy of Science and a member of the Institute of Directors South Africa.
Dr. Thulani Dlamini is the CEO of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and a materials scientist with over 25 years of experience in research and innovation within the petrochemical and RTO sectors. His expertise spans innovation management, technology commercialization, and development strategies. He has served on several national and international boards and committees, including the South African Presidential Commission on the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the UNDP South Africa Programme Board, and the National Advisory Council on Innovation. He is a fellow of the South African Academy of Science and a member of the Institute of Directors South Africa.
Accommodation
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Above $70 Per Night
Strathmore University at a Glance
Get In Touch With Us!
Phone
+254 796 050 148.
bedocare@strathmore.edu
Address
Ole Sangale Rd, off Langata Road, in Madaraka Estate
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