Theme: What's Next!

These are unprecedented times with the pandemic, war, geopolitical realignments, and climate change. The crisis ball has been set rolling and it feels as if there is no stopping it. We barely seem to catch our breath before another crisis hits us. What can we as individuals and a community do to illuminate our purpose, have clarity in our vision and regain balance in this dynamic new normal. Like the black swan theory, the rarity and extreme impact of what we are experiencing makes us wonder ‘What’s Next!’.

We debated a lot on whether What’s Next should be followed by a ‘?’ or an ‘!’.

The ! had a lot going for it. Whereas the question mark is an interrogation, a question; the exclamation indicated Hope. It embodies excitement, emergency, emphasis, surprise and strong emotion, all what is needed in these testing times.

For this edition we have touched upon different subjects that impact us - the economy, healthcare, climate change, human rights, and identity. This is about opening our minds to different perspectives, observing what’s going on and trying to make sense of what is underlying this economic and emotional rollercoaster ride that we all are on.

In this What’s Next! journey, let us not walk alone.

Trianon Convention Centre
Trianon
Trianon, Plaines Wilhems, ---
Mauritius

Ali Mansoor

Unreconstructed Economist

ALI MANSOOR is an Adviser to the Deputy Prime Minister of Mauritius and Chairman of the RMCE. He has been an Assistant Director at the IMF, Financial Secretary in Mauritius, Chair of the Global Forum for Migration and Development, CEO of the COMESA Clearing House, Lead Economist at the World Bank and worked at the IMF Independent Evaluation Office and the EU Directorate for Development. He has written on resilience to natural disasters, regional integration, privatization, migration, fiscal decentralization, and capacity development.

Anne Gaëlle (ANNEGA)

Singer/ Songwriter/ Composer/ Performer

ANNEGA, short for ANNE-GAËLLE, is the island girl. An artist who owes her success to a unique, refreshing and out-going personality. Referred to as “The Mauritian Pop Star” she has conquered the hearts of many with her debut album ‘REMEMBER ME’ which gathers some of our favourite tunes to date namely, Remember Me, Nou Ale and Nou ti Zil. ANNEGA is also known for her creative and inspiring music videos like Sweet While, Nou Ale and Home which showcase the beauty and richness of her island, Mauritius. She tells us a story – hers – on a pop/world rhythm, which we can easily connect to, making her songs ever more special and unique.

Devina Lobine

Bio Scientist

DEVINA LOBINE is an enthusiastic bio-scientist. Her research interest is centered on ethno-pharmacology, drug discovery and development on non-communicable diseases. She holds a degree in Agricultural Biotechnology and PhD in the field of Natural Products. Devina has several years of practical and applied experience in various fields of life sciences and has authored/co-authored over 60 publications. She was awarded the 2020 Sub-Saharan Africa Young Talents-L'Oreal-UNESCO for Women in Science prize for her research work. As Science leader, Devina is passionately engaged on numerous projects and activities related to STEM agenda.

Hélène Echevin

CEO of C-Care group

HÉLÈNE ECHEVIN is the CEO of C-Care group, and the Executive Chairperson of C-Care (Mauritius) Ltd. She has played a key role in developing the healthcare sector and leading the operational excellence journey. She has extensive experience in operations and project management at the corporate level working for Eclosia Group and Harel Mallac Group for 22 years. She was the first lady President of Mauritius Chamber of Commerce and Industry. She holds a degree in Engineering from Polytech Engineering School, Montpellier, France and followed a Management Executive Program at INSEAD. She has directorships in Public Interest Entities: SUN Limited and CIEL Textile Limited.

Mickaël Apaya

Manager of Transitions

MICKAËL APAYA is recently the officer in charge for Low Carbon & Circular Economy strategies at Cap Business Indian Ocean, the private regional organisation regrouping chambers of commerce and industry as well as professional organisations. Over the past 10 years, he was the Head of Sustainability and Inclusive Growth cluster of Business Mauritius. He has developed the Programme National d’Efficacité Energétique, the SUNREF Mauritius III credit line and the SigneNatir pledge. He holds a Master of Sciences in Energy and Environment from EPF Engineers School (Sceaux, France) and a Baccalauréat in Engineering Sciences (Saint-Denis, La Réunion).

Shirin Aumeeruddy-Cziffra

of counsel

For four decades, SHIRIN AUMEERUDDY-CZIFFRA has been deeply committed in the struggle to promote, protect and defend Human Rights. She was the first African and first woman who, along with 19 other women, sent in 1977 a communication to the United Nations Human Rights Committee (UNHRC) against her own country when discriminatory laws had been passed curbing the rights of women citizens to live with a foreign husband in their natal country. The UNHRC gave its positive views in 1981. She has now international recognition for all her human rights activities especially in favour of women’s and children’s rights.

Vaco Baissac

Peintre Créole de l'île Maurice

Born in Mauritius in 1940, renowned Mauritian artist VACO BAISSAC had his first exhibition at the young age of 18 and by 20 years he had his first international exhibition at Reunion Island. His initial years were under the tutelage of Serge Constantin and Siegfried Sammer. After studying art in Brussels and Paris, Vaco moved to Africa for 20 years returning finally to his native isle to pursue his passion. Vaco opened a studio to share his passion of art with adults and children. He has been commissioned to paint large paintings and murals for the islands principle establishments as well as exhibiting his own work along with his students. Vaco has represented Mauritius at important international exhibitions with his aesthetic metaphors of islands, sun and light and continues to work on many large art projects for the private and public sector locally as well as internationally.

William Rasoanaivo (POV)

Editorial Artist

WILLIAM RASOANAIVO, famously known as Pov, was born in Antananarivo, Madagascar, on January 12, 1975. A self-taught cartoonist, he perfected his craft by copying comic books and reading satirical cartoons. He began his professional career in 1997 in the daily Midi Madagasikara. Journalism training in Berlin and Cardiff shaped his way of drawing in the press. In 2006, he settled in Mauritius where his drawings were published in the local press, mainly in the daily newspaper l'Express but also internationally (Madagascar, Jeune Afrique, Le Monde). His press cartoons have earned him international prizes and recognition, including the RFI/RSF Prize, a World Press Cartoon Award, among others. Also, a comic artist, he regularly publishes graphic novels.

Yuv Sungkur

Youth Climate Advocate

YUV SUNGKUR is a Mauritian youth climate advocate. He is passionate about climate change issues and fighting its impact on Small Islands Developing States. In parallel to his master’s degree in Global Environmental Governance, Yuv spoke and participated in various international summits and conferences, such as the 16th United Nations Climate Change Conference of Youth (COY16), held in Glasgow, and the Transforming Education Pre-Summit in Paris. He is also the president and co-founder of a youth-led local humanitarian NGO: Food Water Hygiene (FWH) Mauritius. His NGO seeks to support the population in need by providing them with basic necessities.