eLearning Africa 2009: Learn, Share, Network

eLearning Africa is the most comprehensive conference on ICT for development, education and training on the Continent. Its mission is to bring people together who are actively engaged in education and in the implementation of learning technologies in schools, universities, corporate training as well as in education in the public sector. Participants are high-level decision-makers such as Ministers of Education, representatives from government agencies, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), development agencies and international organisations, senior executives from businesses, as well as practitioners from all fields of education.
Networking Across the Globe

Participant figures for the annual event have grown significantly – from 832 at the debut event in 2006 in Addis Ababa to 1502 delegates at the third conference in Accra, Ghana in May 2008. Attendees come from more than 80 countries in Africa and the wider globe – a geographic and cultural richness that is unrivalled. The strong African involvement – 80 percent of the delegates come from the Continent – makes it a truly pan-African event.

Main Facts:

• eLA is the largest gathering of eLearning and distance education professionals in Africa, enabling participants to develop multinational and cross-industry contacts and partnerships, as well as to enhance their knowledge, expertise and abilities.
• At eLearning Africa 2008, over 1500 eLearning users, newcomers, providers and experts gathered during the three conference days at the Accra International Conference Centre in Accra, Ghana. Eighty percent of the participants came from African countries. The conference programme featured the work of 315 Speakers and Chairpersons from 54 countries, addressing all forms of technology-enhanced learning and including a rich mix of themes, topics and a variety of session formats.
• Delegates are high-level policy and decision makers and practitioners from education, business and government - the three key areas driving eLearning adoption and innovation.
• The conference is held in English and French. It includes plenary sessions with world-class experts, smaller presentation and special focus sessions, practical demonstrations and debates on specific topics, as well as various informal networking opportunities where practitioners share their experiences, ideas, new information and perspectives.
• An exhibition and demonstration area accompanies the programme, where leading international eLearning manufacturers, suppliers and service providers present their latest products and services. Participants evaluated the exhibition as a critical meeting point for professional interaction within the conference.
• A full-day programme of workshops conducted by leading eLearning practitioners precedes the event. These small, intensive sessions offer attendees a unique opportunity to fine-tune their skills and acquire new ones.
• A number of special events take place alongside the conference, such as product launches, special interest group get-togethers, sponsored workshops, best practice showcases and meetings.