Keynote Speakers

Myles Wickstead, Commission for Africa

Myles Wickstead was, from early 2004 to late 2005, Head of Secretariat to the Commission for Africa (CfA). Myles has a long history of involvement with, and working in, Africa. Between 1993 and 1997 he was based in Nairobi as Head of the British DevelopmentDivision in Eastern Africa, responsible for British Government development programmes in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Having left Government service in late 2005, Myles was Chair of CONCERN UK until mid-2011; Independent Vice-Chair of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy until January 2012; and Chair of One World Media until September 2014. Myles is currently Visiting Professor (International Relations) at King’s College London and Honorary Associate Professor at the Strategy and Security Institute, University of Exeter. He is a Non-Executive Director of ‘Development Initiatives’, Advisor to ‘Hand in Hand International’ and on the Advisory Board of IPE Africa. He has written extensively on Africa, aid and development. His book ‘Aid and Development: A Brief Introduction’ was published by OUP in June 2015.

Sara Pantuliano, ODI

Sara Pantuliano is a Managing Director at the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) in London, where she has led the humanitarian team for six years. She is a political scientist with extensive experience in conflict and post-conflict contexts. Prior to ODI, Sara led UNDP Sudan’s Peace Building Unit, managed a high-profile post-conflict response in the Nuba Mountains, was an observer at the IGAD Sudan peace process and a Lecturer at the University of Dar es Salaam. She holds a PhD in Politics and is a recognised writer and public speaker on humanitarian affairs – from conflict and displacement to protection of civilians – and on crises ranging from Sudan and South Sudan to Syria and the surrounding region. She is the Managing Editor of Disasters journal and Vice-Chair of the World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council on Risk and Resilience. Sara is a Trustee of SOS Sahel, a member of the Executive Committee of IRIN News and serves on the advisory boards of Oxford University’s Refugees Studies Centre and the UN Association of the UK amongst others.