Young People and the Realities of Building a Career in East Africa

Help to Help: Beyond the Scholarship

Young people are frequently discussed in conversations about education, employment and the future of work, yet their own perspectives are still too often missing. Beyond the Scholarship brings those experiences into the room.

Join us for a candid conversation with young people, employers, partners and leaders across sectors on what it really takes to move from education into working life in East Africa, from first opportunities and professional networks to employer expectations and the realities graduates face.

Beyond the conversation, the event is a chance to meet others working across education, employment, business and East Africa, exchange perspectives and build relevant new connections.

Program10:00 Arrival, coffee & networking

10:45 Word from a Help to Help Alumn

11:00 Panel discussion

12:00 Networking lunch

13:00 Close

Meet the panel

Linley Chiwona-Karltun is a researcher and Associate Professor at the Division of Rural Development at SLU - Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. From beginnings in rural Africa to global research arenas, education has been her compass. Linley weaves indigenous knowledge into global dialogues and connects research and practice to advance agrifood systems, nutrition, gender equality and equitable livelihoods.

Shori Zand is a social entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist who came to Sweden from Iran and has built an impressive career in Swedish business. She founded and built Avesina Healthcare into a successful healthcare group with more than 1,400 employees, and has been actively engaged in issues relating to entrepreneurship, leadership, gender equality, and integration. Today, she also dedicates her time to the Shori Zand Foundation, which works to create a more inclusive and equitable society where all children and young people have the opportunity to develop, grow, and reach their full potential, regardless of their background.

Stanley Nyoni grew up in Zimbabwe, where a whole village came together to pay for and support his education, and he has spent his career giving back in the same spirit. As a faculty member of the Ubuntu Lab, he helps young people build their own businesses that create jobs for themselves and others, and he mentors many young people who see him as proof that education can lead to a successful career without giving up your values. Stanley coaches executives on their careers, especially people from minority backgrounds in large organisations such as banks, and he sits on the boards of several NGOs. His main work is building communities through sustainability leadership programmes, which he has run as a facilitator and coach in countries across four continents.

Meet the moderator

Rut "Ruthie" Semere is raised and based in Stockholm, with roots in the highlands of Eritrea. A trained civil economist with a Master's in International Management from King's College London, she spent a decade in London building a global career in media and business development with NBC Universal, Discovery and National Geographic. Today she runs Semere & Co as a Business Developer, Speaker and Executive Leadership Coach, hosts the Zanta podcast and co-founded Women of Color in Biz, a business network for women of color.

RSVP by November 6th