Fred Swaniker

There can be no better way to launch ZiMUN 2019 ‘A World In Crisis’ than having Fred Swaniker address delegates. As the founder of the African Leadership University whose slogan is ‘be the change you seek’, he has some insight into how, as individuals, we can bring about a positive change at a time when the world’s crises seem to result in arguments and deadlock. Mr Swaniker was recognized by US President Obama in 2010 and again in 2013 for his work in developing Africa’s future leaders. He has been recognised as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum, by Forbes Magazine as one of the top ten young ‘power men’ in Africa, and by Echoing Green as one of the fifteen ‘best emerging social entrepreneurs in the world’. He is a Fellow of the Aspen Institute’s Global Leadership Network and was a TED Fellow in 2009. Mr Swaniker began his professional career as a consultant with McKinsey and Company and has an MBA from Stanford Business School, where he was named an Arjay Miller Scholar, a distinction awarded to the top 10% of each graduating class at the business school. He was born in Ghana but has lived and worked in about 10 different African countries.

Mr Swaniker is deeply passionate about Africa and believes that the missing ingredient on the continent is good leadership. In line with this, Mr Swaniker founded the African Leadership ‘Group’—an ecosystem of organizations that includes African Leadership Academy, African Leadership Network, Africa Advisory Group, and of course, African Leadership University.

Ammara Brown

Requiring no introduction, the immensely talented Ammara Brown joins ZiMUN in 2019 bringing a message of perseverance, dedication and purpose. Her successful career has seen Ammara topping charts and serving as a role model for young people in Zimbabwe and beyond.