ARDN to Host Africa: Open for Business summit, Honor Jackie Joyner-Kersee

The Webster University community is invited to the next African Renaissance and Diaspora Network (ARDN) virtual summit, "Africa: Open for Business," on Wednesday, Sept. 22, during the UN General Assembly.

Presented in partnership with UN Habitat, UNFPA, UN Women, UNDP and the governments of Costa Rica and Ethiopia, the event will see African leaders discuss what is being done to inspire and empower women to take leadership roles in the private and public sectors, and in the climate change dialogue.

During the Sept. 22 summit, leaders from Africa and the African diaspora will dialogue with presidents, prime ministers, industry leaders and young leaders on the challenge of climate change and its impact on the empowerment of women, health and business.

Register for the event through ARDN here.

Honoring Jackie Joyner-Kersee

As part of ARDN awards during the summit, the organization will honor Jackie Joyner-Kersee, the Olympic legend and philanthropist who was Webster's 2021 commencement speaker, honorary Doctor of Humane Letters recipient, and 2019 Champion for All honoree. Joyner-Kersee was nominated for the ARDN Sports and Philanthropy Award by Webster in recognition of her accomplishments and efforts children's education, racial equality and women's rights.

ARDN and Webster University

Webster University has been a partner with ARDN since 2017, when the two organizations signed an MOU to collaborate on awareness campaigns affiliated with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Webster University Chancellor Elizabeth (Beth) J. Stroble is co-chair of the ARDN’s higher education initiative.

Red Card Pledge

One partnership initiative among the organizations is the Red Card initative to raise the awareness of the damaging effects of violence and discrimination against women in all its forms. The goal of the Red Card campaign is to achieve 1 million signatures on the pledge to end such actions by the November 2022 FIFA World Cup Tournament in Qatar, using the raising of the red card as a universal symbol in sport. 

Anyone can learn more about the Red Card and add their signature at www.redcardpledge.com, then share on social media to raise awareness.