Theme: Touching The Stars

“Stitching the social fabric for a sustainable community”

How to navigate the dense, saturated, unhappy world, lacking positive vibrations? How do we touch stars in the midst of the near-catastrophic world we live in?
Is the future always far from our reach? And how to unlock it? (unlocking it means unlocking the potential of the community, creating ways to close the gap on inequality?) - Is the technological revolution the tool to solve most of these issues?
To answer these questions and start addressing the so-called challenges of the 21st century, we propose the poetic theme: “Touching the Stars”

The theme attempts to explore how the global pandemic has exposed and exacerbated existing social and environmental issues, and how we can use this crisis as an opportunity to build a more sustainable and equitable tomorrow. The event will delve into the big challenges of the 21st century, focusing on the economic impact of the pandemic on vulnerable communities, the intersection of public health and environmental sustainability, and the role of technology and innovation in driving progress toward a more sustainable social fabric yet at large the world. Additionally, it will also encourage discussions on how we can use this moment of disruption as a catalyst for positive changes, focusing on the big challenges of the 21st century.

The event will inspire and challenge the audience to think about how we can overcome these challenges, reimagine our relationship with the planet in the context of the "new normal" and work towards a more equitable and sustainable future.

We believe humans have the capability to overcome all these challenges and unlock prosperity and well-being for us all - plus nature and all other living organisms within, let's “touch the stars together”.

Academia BAI
Av. Pedro de Castro Van-Dúnem Loy
Morro Bento
Luanda, Luanda, B2016
Angola

Alexandra Loras

Writer + Consul

Born in France, on the outskirts of Paris, into an unconventional family, with Christian, Muslim and Jewish influences, of a French mother and Gambian father. Master in Media Management from the most prestigious school of political sciences in France, Sciences Po. Lives in Brazil since 2012, where holds the position of French consul. In her professional activities, she addresses urgent and sensitive topics, such as ESG, diversity, ageism and sexism, with the aim of creating more diverse, responsible, inclusive, creative, innovative and, consequently, profitable work environments, impacting more than 20,000 people. people from the 57 countries she visited.

Augusto Firmino

Computer Engineer

Born in Rangel, raised in Cazenga, Hoji ya Henda, trained in engineering Informatics at the Technical University of Angola. Worked at the Ministry of Energy and Water, TPA (Public Television of Angola). In 2016, he founded INOKRI and KRUKUTEKA, innovative solutions focused on the national market, the following year ARREIOU an application for consulting prices of products in the supermarkets, then he created Qualificar aimed at training staff and offering products on the national training market. Also known for his involvement in the SÓCIA project, a startup focused on sharing information about products and opportunities in the formal and informal market, offering users greater purchasing power, especially families with low income.

Benjamin Mbakassy

Teacher + Writer

Benjamin has 11 years of experience in academia having started as an assistant at the Methodist University of Angola, today he is a professor and a researcher in the area of business ethics, and he is currently in the research phase for his Ph.D. in Management at the University of Beira Interior (Portugal). Collaborates with the Social Innovation and Incubation Center of the Catholic University of Angola, SEIVA - a non-profit association for agribusiness and entrepreneurship in the areas of research and innovation, and at the Honorary Consulate of Austria in Angola. He is the winner of the Dst-Angola/Camões 2021 award with his book Eutópsia, to date he has published more than a hundred articles.

Daniela Djaló

Biomedical Sciences

Born in Portugal, trained in biomedical sciences. She is the mother of two children, and it was through the experience of motherhood that she redirected her gaze in terms of her skills and competences. It is now specialised in breastfeeding, providing clinical assistance to mothers and babies who are having breastfeeding difficulties.

Desta Haile

Educator + Consultant

Is an award-winning British-Eritrean writer, educator, and consultant specialised in intercultural communication, social justice and the performing arts. She holds an MA in Black British Writing from Goldsmiths, University of London, and is currently the Deputy Director of the Royal African Society. Her creative career has helped her visit over 80 countries. Awarded a BOZAR grant for its innovation, developing workshops and learning materials for events like Africa Utopia at Southbank Centre, London and Afropolitan Festival, Brussels. In 2020, she co-founded the first language event that centres Black women: Sisters Only Language Summit, and also composed the UNESCO Green Citizens campaign song.

Eneida Tavares

Product Designer

Born in Portugal, Barreiro, graduated in Product Design at ESAD.CR. Lives and works in Caldas da Rainha in her own studio. She participated in several collective exhibitions in Europe, Brazil and Cape Verde. Has collaborated with brands in the field of Product Design and in collaborative cultural production projects. The investigation of transits between Portugal and their countries of origin, Angola and Cape Verde, based on materials, craft techniques and other rituals, is a permanent exercise in her work.

Heróide Dos Prazeres

Singer

From a very early age, she discovered a passion for dance and music, having as mentors some of the great names of kuduro (popular Angolan music of the new generation) such as "Noite e Dia", "Titica" and the late "Própria Lixa". She was also a revelation in some of the dance and music competitions, winner of Estrelas de Angola in 2015, and won the 2020 Luanda Song Festival with the best voice and the song grand prize, and other national awards. In 2021 she was selected to be part of the permanent caravan of EXPO DUBAI 2020 making more than 200 appearances on stage.

Jessé Manuel

Photographer + Civil Engineering

Passionate about photography, which he has been part of since 2012, exploring cultural and environmental themes, which lead him to explore the various aspects of this vast Angola. His photographic work has drawn attention inside and outside Angola, with emphasis on his participation in the exploration expedition of the Okavango Basin by National Geographic, participation in exhibitions (national and international), recognized with some awards. Documented several projects, produced a video for Destination TV (Wonderful Places) featured on Amazon Prime and CBS LA. He works on the production of a photographic book about the province of Namibe.

Kahina Ferreira

Arquitecto + Urbanista

A Sagittarius born in 1986, Kahina Mikanda Quimbangala Ferreira is an Architect and urban planner from the Methodist University of Angola since 2014, specialising in sustainable interior design, with a mini MBA in Marketing. He founded the company Master Plan Angola, mentor of the Café do Arquitecto event, International Jury at Inspireli, was Director of the Angola Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. He is also an enthusiast, composer and author of the book “Guide for Architecture Students”

Marco Romero

Aerospace Engineer

Born in Luanda, Marco Filipe Menezes Romero has a master's degree in Space and Scientific Systems Engineering in Solar System Exploration, an Executive postgraduate degree in Space Commercialization, as well as a degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the Air Force Academy. Lecturer and university researcher at ISPTEC. He is a member of the National Space Program team, specialising in Navigation Support and Ballistics. He created the Space Applications and Services section of the Space Sciences and Applied Research Department and served in the Project Management Department. Developed the Space Education and Dissemination Program in several countries. In his professional repertoire he has several awards and recognition for his work and contribution in the scientific and spatial field.

Neusa Colsoul

Computer Engineer

Computer Engineer graduated from Gregório Semedo University and a business catalyst. Angolan, born in Luanda, currently serves as Chairman of the Management Board of Intellectus – Training and Management. She dreamed of becoming an oceanographer, but when that was not possible, she used her passion for people and technology, which led her to explore other areas and pursue new dreams. In a journey of more than ten years, amid many struggles, joys, and tears, together with her husband and other people, she created Okayula Tech, a company focused on the technological area, made up of young Angolans.

Peter Paris

Telecommunications Technician

Born in Luanda-Maianga, telecommunications technician specialising in electronics at the National Telecommunications Institute (ITEL). He founded the first community laboratory in Luanda and has been a member of the Angolan association of inventors and innovators since 2009, founder of Startup Kandengue Cientista and other initiatives such as Clube TICS, National Competition for Creation and Rocket Launch (CNFL-1). Mentor of several community development initiatives in Angola, Ambassador of Space Education, promoter of actions related to Space Education since 2017, in partnership with GGPEN, a body attached to the Ministry of Telecommunications, Information Technologies and Social Communication. Young Ambassador of Peace in Angola, by YSPangola (Young Student for Peace).

Ricardo Almeida

Computer Engineer

Passionate about technology and computers for as long as he can remember, Ricardo is a gamer on loan from the business world. A long-time dreamer and computer engineer by training, driven by critical thinking, throughout his 20 years of professional career he has acted as a "problem solver". Pioneer in 3D Construction Printing in Angola and mentor of the Power2Build project. A startup that aims to revolutionise construction in Angola, printing homes faster, more economically, and with better quality.

Ricardo Alves

DJ + Productor

He started playing in 1995 on the now extinct FM stereo radio, his talent took him to various spaces and clubs (in the national and international arena), passing through more than 15 countries, five continents, from Africa, America (South and North) , Europe and Asia, with more than 27 years promoting electronic music. On his repertoire is recorded several compilations of mixes, an album of originals from the Kamutupu project and many others. His belief in creating beats and playing in clubs around the world, broadcast on Mix FM radio programs in Angola and RadioMix on RDP Africa in Portugal. He is the founder of Move Entertainment, designed to represent DJs and singers.

Sara Marilyn

Biohacker + Atleta

Dr. Sara Marilyn Pereira de Jesus, postgraduate in Integrative and Functional Medicine, Mother, Retreat Facilitator, Biohacker and Athlete. She believes that a better world is possible through inner change. After finishing the Integrated Master in Dental Medicine in 2014, her inborn enthusiasm led her on a transformative journey of self-knowledge through 40 countries where she deepened several ancestral techniques for optimising mental and physical health. Founder of Prannaceia – Pioneer and unique entity of retreats and health and well-being in Angola that has 27 retreats in Angola, Portugal, and São Tomé and Príncipe.