The following is a listing of events taking place in the UK and overseas this month. For further information, please contact the organisers directly.

1-2 July - Annual Employment Law Conference, London

The CIPD Annual Employment Law Conference on 1 July provides all the relevant, expert information you need to ensure you are completely up to date with changing legislation and emerging case law.

Join us in London to get up to speed so you can return to work with practical know how and guidance. Also, the Restructuring and Downsizing Focus Day on 2 July will concentrate on the legal aspects of restructuring and the challenges faced by employers, as well as firsthand accounts from HR practitioners. Book your place at the CIPD Annual Law Conference and you will also be able to purchase your place at the Restructuring and Downsizing Focus Day. Being held on 2 July, this is your opportunity to hear from leading lawyers and HR practitioners on dealing with the challenges of restructuring, outsourcing and managing redundancies.

www.cipd.co.uk

Ballet Black is a neo-classical ballet company with eight critically acclaimed sell-out seasons to its credit. Inspirational and innovative, it strives to honour the traditions of classical ballet while breaking new ground with cutting edge choreography.

Ballet Black is now an essential part of the classical ballet landscape, the perfect showcase for dancers of black and Asian descent, as well as a wonderful platform for choreographers, established and new. Not surprisingly, Ballet Black attracts dancers, choreographers and designers from around the world. In recent years, the company has worked with Richard Alston, Shobana Jeyasingh and Liam Scarlett; this time there will be new works from choreographers including Martin Lawrance, Antonia Franceschi and Will Tuckett. 7:30 pm £12.50 - £16.50. Concs: £2 off.

www.hackneyempire.co.uk

GM crops & inorganic fertilizers versus organics and 'natural' farming. 11.00 – 12.00. Speakers include Boma Anga, Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research (CGIAR); Chair of Nepad’s Pan-African Cassava Initiative, and Cassava Agro Industries of Nigeria; Michael Gale, John Innes Foundation Research Fellow and member of Science Council of the CGIAR, Peter Hazell, Visiting Professor, Imperial College London and Camilla Toulmin, Director, International Institute for Environment & Development (IEED).

There is a new determination, and increased funding, to promote for science-based agricultural development in Africa. But why are spending and commitment so sluggish? Is this because "He that complies against his will is of his own opinion still"? Many African leaders, now under pressure to respond to the growing demand for fertilisers, irrigation and modern plant breeding, harbour deep doubts about these - as do some opinion-forming NGOs. Do the physical crises of African agriculture – food output per head lower than in the 1960s, soil erosion and nutrient loss, water scarcity – require 'organic', low-input, farming with minimal modern inputs, or science-based, yet conservation-sensitive, farm development and research?

Entry to these expert meetings is restricted. Experts and interested individuals should apply via Tighisti Amare at  tamare@chathamhouse.org.uk stating your name and affiliation. Only receipt of a confirmation email from Chatham House allows entry to meetings.

We are witnessing rapid development in Internet-based ecommerce and epayment solutions, exploiting traditional business concepts in innovative ways.

ICEP'09 Conference with gather researchers and executives from all over the world to discuss the latest developments in ecommerce and in epayments solutions. Speakers are invited from academic institutions and leading innovative companies to debate the most crucial contemporary issues related to epayments and ecommerce. Over a hundred advanced papers will be presented and discussed. The conference will also provide an opportunity for ecommerce and epayments companies to exhibit their state-of-the-art services and products. This unique networking will take place in the imperial city of Marrakech. The Conference will provide an opportunity to academics and researchers to present to and share with other colleagues from all over the world their findings on the topics, researchers to meet decision makers, vendors and specialists players at all levels to meet and discuss business opportunities, and companies with offers on the conference topics to exhibit their solutions/products to other specialties and to the end users through an exhibition.

http://www.icep.educasphere.com/

If oil and gas in Africa is your business, then Africa Energy Week is your opportunity to meet everyone who matters, gathered in the beautiful city of Cape Town for four days of business, networking, negotiations & showcasing all major oil and gas projects.

Africa Energy Week Exhibition is the perfect opportunity to showcase products and services to industry decision-makers and an array of potential investors who will be in constant flux throughout the Exhibition. Welcome ministers, executives from state oil companies, exploration and services companies onto your stand; they will all be there wanting to meet with you and see what your products and services can do for them.

http://www.cwcaew.com/exhibition/index.aspx

The Africa Business Forum 2009 will be held in London on 6th -7th July prior to the 35th G8 Summit in Italy. It will be chaired by Paul Skinner, Chairman of Rio Tinto and the Commonwealth Business Council (CBC). This annual event enables business and government leaders to jointly assess progress in promoting growth and development in Africa, and take steps to meet emerging challenges.

The central theme of the 2009 Forum will be Sustaining Growth in the New Global Environment and will address how business and government can best address the challenge of sustaining growth in the new global economic environment. The Forum will focus on the practical partnerships which business is taking on job creation, enterprise, trade, investment and good governance across the continent, and discuss how we can strengthen capital flows and trade. For information click here

A hilarious night of comedy featuring comedy giants Dibi, Felix Dexter, Leo Muhammad, Glenda Jaxson, hilarious young comic Babatunde and surprise guests. Hosted by Dibi & Rollo! That's right! Dibi AND Choice Fm’s Rollo. Didn't you know they were the same person? See Wayne Dibi Rollins as you’ve never seen him before......Steppin outa da frock! ...Fresh out from his tour de force comic performances in the smash comedy Dis Shoodbe On TV!

Book early and bring a hanky...you will be crying with laughter! Venue: Main House. Price(s): £15, Concs £2 off, Friends £3 off, CAN £2.50 off. £17.50 on the door (No Concs) http://www.hackneyempire.co.uk

Written and directed by Lara Foot Newton. In a remote and impoverished village in the Karoo, a young girl, Thozama, struggles to survive. A violent, terrifying incident and a chance encounter with an escaped moose change her life for ever.

A story of pain, redemption and hope, combining traditional African story-telling and magical realism. Winner of 14 top South African awards, including Best New South African Play and Best Production.

Building on the success of the last conference in Nigeria, the 3rd GBC Corporate Africa Partnerships for Prevention & Care Africa Health Conference and forum will be held from 12th – 14th July 2009, with the full support of the Kenyan Health Ministry and the National Business Coalition against HIV/AIDS. The conference provides a platform for delegates from a cross section of stakeholders – public sector, private sector, medical health, government, national and international health agencies and NGOs – working to empower communities and increase capacity in international healthcare. Discussion and presentations will be focused upon how private public partnerships in health and Medicare can be exploited to maximize prevention against HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria.

The III GBC Corporate Africa Partnerships for Prevention and Care Africa Health Conference will encompass an exhibition, featuring the latest technologies and innovations in HIV/AIDS TV and Malaria with dedicated workshops and seminars that explores the key technologies, policies and applications which are required to drive Africa’s Healthcare sector to realize optimum prevention and care.

http://www.mbendi.com/corpafrica/events/e5ua.htm

The Migration and Remittances team of the Development Economics and Prospects Group (DEPG) of the World Bank is organizing an International Conference on Diaspora and Development. The Diaspora of developing countries can be a potent force for development for their countries of origin, through remittances, but more importantly, through the promotion of trade, investments, knowledge and technology transfers. The conference aims to consolidate research and evidence on these issues with a view to formulating policies in both sending and receiving countries.

The program committee invites economists (and non-economists as well) and policy makers to submit proposals for papers on related themes. Topics will include but are not limited to: Demographic trends that will influence the destination and composition of the diasporas from developing countries; Diaspora's economic and non-economic contributions to development through trade, investment, transfer of technology, skill transfer, institution building; Policies that deepen the Diaspora’s contribution to the development of the country of origin. For example, do Diaspora bonds actually help mobilize financing for development? Does dual citizenship deepen the Diaspora’s ties to the country of origin? Ms. Sonia Plaza at splaza@worldbank.org.

IIR industry-leading global Prepaid Mobile event is now in its 12th year. This event is the premier meeting point for prepaid professionals from across the globe. Attracting over 85% mobile operator attendance in 2008, Prepaid Mobile provides excellent networking opportunities and an innovative and informal knowledge sharing environment.

According to Fierce Wireless "data shows a growth rate of 14 percent for 2009 in the prepaid market, compared with 4 percent for postpaid." In the current economic climate, consumers need to have increased control over the costs of mobile telephony so understanding how to develop the right propositions to increase loyalty and customer acquisition will be central to the four-day conference programme. The event will provide targeted and valuable business information on everything that you need to know about Prepaid. This includes commercial issues such as pricing, top-up strategies and marketing to technical matters such as IN functionalities and Value Added Services.
http://www.iir-events.com/IIR-conf/Telecoms/EventView.aspx?EventID=2299

I'm Every Woman'. The IPM Durban Coastal Branch is pleased to announce that Easy Holidays and Radox have come on board as our co-sponsors for the Women’s Convention to be held at the ICC, Durban.

Inspirational speakers, fantastic lucky draw prizes - holidays away, goodie bags, team building, networking, entertainment, superb seated lunch, networking and much much more!! Miss South Africa, Tatum Keshwar, will be one of our guest speakers along with a line-up of other inspiring speakers.
www.ipm.co.za

Brutal, poetic and ultimately devastating, Cross Road Blues recreates one of the most compelling myths in American music: Robert Johnson’s alleged pact with the devil, hatched out at a crossroads one dark Mississippi midnight.

Previously performed as a fringe two-hander, receiving five-star reviews and sell out crowds, the play has now been reinvented on a Wagnerian scale. The addition of an expansive choral score, performed by a twenty-voice choir accompanied by a six-piece acoustic blues ensemble, promises to make this a unique and truly frightening piece of theatre. Venue: Main House. Price(s): £14.50, Concs £2 off, Friends £3 off, CAN £2.50 off.
http://www.hackneyempire.co.uk

The StareheFuture Appeal in collaboration with NETWORKING4PROFESSIONALS (N4P) invites you to an elegant fundraising dinner to be held at the stunning Glaziers' Hall in central London on Saturday 18th July. The event will have a Kenyan style 'Mbuzi' theme to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Starehe Boys' Centre and to launch the StareheFuture Appeal in the UK. The invitation is open to anyone with an interest in supporting this worthy cause (not just Starehe Boys)! The event will be an elegant fundraising dinner with a Kenyan style 'Mbuzi' theme to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Starehe Boys' Centre and to launch the StareheFuture Appeal in the UK.

The StareheFuture Appeal is a three year appeal aiming to raise £10m to secure the short and long-term futures of two remarkable schools in Kenya – Starehe Boys' Centre and Starehe Girls' Centre. The Starehe schools are more than just extraordinary schools; they are an instrument for positive change and development committed to transforming the lives of bright and disadvantaged children in Kenya. The alumni of Starehe are already active both nationally and internationally as leaders and influencers in the medical, legal and financial fields as well as NGO's and government posts; living proof that Starehe can help reverse poverty in less than a generation. Admission is by tickets only, and there will be limited places due to limited capacity as designated.
www.starehe.org

Ra! Productions in association with Afrikan Image Ltd are putting together a fashion extravaganza to showcase African inspired designs like never before.

The theme for this year's Kouture Afrika UK show is "Transitions". From traditional to contemporary designs, this is a celebration of African designs as it transformed through the times, the changes, the staples, the adaptations, a celebration of the beauty from the continent as seen through the eyes of her fashion designers.
The Barbican Exhibition Hall

Showcasing in London the best landed properties and most active businesses trading in Nigeria today.

Thousands of Nigerians living overseas do have a very strong desire to own houses or property of their own in their motherland, Nigeria. They all do dream of coming back home someday and moving into a house which wholly belongs to them. They dream of investing, big-time, in Nigerian businesses that offer good yield. The event will also feature a two-day seminar session in which international real estate, investment and property experts will brain-storm and exchange ideas on Nigeria’s current fastest growing economic branch: The property and investment market. The seminar has been designed to cover all aspects of investment property buying, managing and financing your property in Nigeria and UK.
http://afes-intl.co.uk/about_nps_show.html

MIS Training Institute EMEA is delighted to invite you & representatives from your organisation to attend this unique international conference, 4th Annual Audit, Risk & Governance Africa Conference 2009. The conference will take place at the beautiful Speke Resort & Conference Centre, Munyonyo, on the shores of Lake Victoria, Uganda.
Traditionally opened by the Honourable Minister for Finance of the hosting country, this event is now well-established as Africa’s premier event for chief audit executives, finance directors, fraud prevention & anti-corruption professionals to exchange dialogue with auditor generals, ministers of finance, business leaders & the inter-governmental community from across Africa. Key discussions will focus around a practical & interactive learning format: 20th July Enterprise Risk Management – New Workshop! 21st July Fraud & Corruption Summit 2009, 22nd & 23rd July Audit, Risk & Governance Africa Conference 2009. Now in the fourth year, the 2009 conference will provide the ultimate forum to develop 'best practice' audit capacity & strengthen governance frameworks to combat corruption & achieve full accountability across business & government, turn audit, risk & governance professionals towards progressing national development by developing professional skills, ethics & frameworks in this area.

Following the tremendous success of the inaugural event, IIR will again deliver a comprehensive learning experience; offering end-to-end best practice case studies and facilitating high quality discussion and networking opportunities for professionals involved in the mobile payments industry across Africa.

The programme will comprise a variety of session formats. Through workshops, case studies, interactive panel and ALL NEW ‘Trouble Shooting’ round table discussions, delegates will learn how to confidently and successfully develop business models appropriate to specific market and cultural characteristics including Microfinance, Mobile Money Transfer, Mobile Banking & Payment Models, promote and assure the security of mobile payment services to maximise usage and protect revenues and manage the risk of mobile banking technologies in developing markets. Click here to request a brochure and registration form.

Why build a Leadership Pipeline? No matter what the future strategy is for your business, success will rely on flawless execution. And -in turn -flawless execution will largely depend on your organisation's ability to identify and prepare the best possible leaders for tomorrow.

It is therefore not surprising that more and more organisations are executing talent management strategies to close the leadership gap and have leaders in place and ready to drive results. A robust pipeline encourages promotion from within (which is less risky) and demonstrates to employees with potential that companies support a "grow your own" strategy. A strong pipeline is an integrated approach that must be supported by senior management. It is not a single programme or tool, rather it's a process that provides both the right quantity and quality of leaders in time to step up and meet pressing business challenges. A sound leadership pipeline strategy ensures that assessment and development processes are relevant, just in time, and integrated. Presenter: Mr. David Conradie, Director and Leader of the Talent and Leadership, Deloitte Consulting.
www.ipm.co.za

The Invest in Africa - Build Africa Conference and Exhibition will provide you with a one-stop-shop (start to finish process) on how to invest in the African real estate market and stock markets. Exhibitors will be present to explain the process of purchasing, developing and managing your property and other investments. In addition, there will be consultations on how best to perform these processes away from home. There will be experts and professionals to offer advice on Legal issues, Property Management, Maintenance costs, Sale process, Transaction periods etc

During the event, attendees will be able to speak directly to developers, mortgage companies, government officials, estate agents, property surveyors, valuers, conveyancers, stockbrokers, bankers and other real estate and finance professionals. There will also be seminars educating attendees about the process of buying land and property in Africa; finding a good estate agent to manage your property; developing property; getting a mortgage and hot sectors to invest in. You will also learn of the various investment options available in African markets.
http://www.investin-africa.com

The Careers in Africa Summit in Johannesburg connects high calibre graduates and professionals seeking outstanding career opportunities with the world’s best companies operating across Africa. In 2009 we are extending our highly successful service to companies looking to recruit Africans working or studying in South Africa and across the SADC region, who are looking for a career move across the Continent. This is the first initiative of its kind in South Africa and our first event in Africa. To apply, please visit our website  www.globalcareercompany.com

This display of portraits of women over the age of 100 from the island of Dominica, including the world’s oldest woman Ma Pampo who was 126 years old when she was drawn. Accompanying the portraits are stories recorded by the artist, as she and the women elders got to know one another during the drawing process.

The display builds a bridge for the viewer between the ten women portrayed, and their mothers and grandmothers, who were enslaved and whose stories were never recorded. Living Ancestors is an acknowledgement and celebration of an enduring female lineage of resilience and resistance. Artist and feminist activist Gabrielle Le Roux creates travelling exhibitions of portraits and stories which raise awareness about social issues and pay tribute to people whose social contribution goes unrecognised because of their gender, race, class or sexual orientation. To accompany the display, a series of events are organised: Dance the quadrille, Stories from Dominica, Gallery tour by artist Gabrielle Le Roux, etc. 6 pm Museum of London Docklands, West India Quay, London E14 4AL. For details of events, click here
www.museumindocklands.org.uk

Afrikan Djeli Cultural Institute presents its first 1st Annual Atlanta African Dance & Drum Festival. The wonderful city of Atlanta will be home for this great dance and drum festival. Whether you like Djembe orchestra dance from Guinea or Mali or Ivory Coast, Senegalese dance or Nigerian/Orisa dance, you will enjoy this Festival as well.

Also, if you play or have an interest in Djembe, Dununba, Sangban or Kenkeni, this Festival is for you as well. There will be drum classes for music from Guinea, Mali and Ivory Coast. There will also be a drum class for the rhythm Dununba. Did you know this rhythm has over 30 variations? A few will be taught here!!!! Dancers. Our focus on the music is, in great part, for you!! There are not enough drummers that know the music. So, at this Festival, we plan to teach and play some of the best music around - in full stereo! If you have an interested in attending the Festival, please visit www.AADDF.org to submit your contact info. This info will be used only to keep you posted on Festival schedule, venue and pricing. Or, you call/send text to 404.753.8933 or send an email to aiyetoro@AfrikanDjeli.com.

PLEASE NOTE: ReConnect Africa accepts no responsibility for any of the events described above and/or any dealings with the event organisers.

To notify us of your event and discuss advertising and marketing options, please contact us at: editor@reconnectafrica.com