The annual SDGs summit was organized by the Copperbelt University Debate Society. The conference took place at the CBU school of medicine Ndola Campus near the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium. The SDG Summit took place on 22nd and 23rd July 2022. The SDG Summit was supported by ZANACO, Liquid Telecom, Prudential Insurance, Hungry Lion, Diamond TV, and many others. MerakiLabs went to attend the event on its second day. Others in attendance were other institutions from various sectors of higher education and general education.
MerakiLabs representatives that were in attendance included, Ernest Kapesa [CEO]; Kapembwa Kangali [RDL]; Akebu Simasiku [CLL]; Waza Nyirenda [CLVL]; Charles Mukwila [ME]; Catherine Lukoma [Member];
Upon arrival at the event, MerakiLabs members participated in the various conversations and presentations with regard to the United Nations SDGs that are supposed to be achieved by the year 2030. This is a task of the Government of the Republic of Zambia in conjunction with both public and private organizations and the citizens are mandated to tackle it. The conversations were done in several breakaway situation rooms where distinct speakers facilitated the conversations. With every breakaway session, there were short presentations that followed and were done when all groups reconvened in the main venue.
MerakiLabs CEO Ernest Kapesa was given five minutes to introduce MerakiLabs and give a short statement of what MerakiLabs is all about and the Model they Operate with. This was done diligently and the event continued.
Towards the end of the session was a networking session. This was an opportunity in which the MerakiLabs members had the chance to network with different personnel from other organizations. This was an enlightening session as a lot of information was exchanged.
The SDGs are a very important aspect of the development of Zambia in all aspects of the country’s sector. At MerakiLabs it is important that the SDGs are part of our goals, objectives, and activities we venture in. This is subject to the various departments and every member to review the SDGs on the UN Web resources. As MerakiLabs we are definitely joining the plight of uptaking the SDGs that we can play a role in as an organization.
Prepared by: Kapembwa Kangali [Research and Development Lead] Date: 24th July 2022.