Teach Africa

In 2006, the World Affairs Council, in cooperation with the Africa Society of the National Summit on Africa ( www.africasummit.org ), and Portland State University's Office of International Affairs launched its Teach the World Educator Conference and Youth Forum Series with the Teach Africa Reception for Superintendents and Principals in October of 2006.

This “kick off” reception was followed in December of 2006 by the Teach Africa Conference for K-12 Educators. This highly successful event was followed in 2007 by the Teach Africa Youth Forum. Videos of the keynote addresses and breakout sessions from the conference and youth forum were made so that the learning experienced by a privileged few could be shared school, district and statewide.

We hope to sustain the incredible wealth of information presented about Africa for use as both a classroom tool and for your own edification about this vast continent. In addition our plans are to use this page to maintain a network of contact between both teachers and students who had the good fortune to attend.

Teach Africa Conference for K-12 Educators

Conference Videos

The Educators Conference Keynote will bring you the words of Senator Avel Gordly, PSU Black Studies Professor Kofi Agorsah, and Kingdom of Lesotho Ambassador, Her Excellency Molelekeng E. Rapolaki.

The session topics you can access for the conference are as follows:

• African Languages


• Botswana – Alive in the Classroom with Oregon Geographic Alliance Fulbright Exchange teacher Chris Highfield


• Introduction to Africa as a Geographical/Cultural Entity & Links to America with PSU Black Studies Professor Kofi Agorsah


• Women & the Family Panel


• African Children's Literature - A Vehicle to Understanding with Fulbright Exchange Teachers

Teach Africa Youth Forum

The Teach Africa Youth Forum involved 500 middle and high school students from Oregon and SW Washington. Students came as delegations of ten with a mission to learn about Africa and return to their schools with an Africa Action Plan to share. The event for K-12 Educators was held the previous year.

Youth Forum Videos

The Youth Forum Keynote features a panel that includes the Ambassador from the Republic of Malawi, Her Excellency Hawa Ndilowe, Executive Director of the Discovery Channel’s Global Education Partnership, Dr. Gail Ifshin and Wayne Blackwelder, Regional Manager for the Seattle Peace Corps.

The session topics you can access for the Youth Forum are as follows:

• Advocating for Change in Africa with Jubliee USA & Bread for the World


• Through African Eyes with PSU ICSP students from Africa


• Africa is not a Country with Grace Kuto & Chata Addy


• Trade and Economics panel with Ambassador Ndilowe


• Africa in Transition with teacher Lisa Iverson