Reflections on The Age of Africa Symposium at the Munk School
by Sheri Blades, Principal Sheri Blades Consulting
Reflection written by Sheri Blades, Principal of the Sheri Blades Consulting
The 2025 THE AGE OF AFRICA Symposium at the Munk School wasn’t just another event, it was an experience. From the moment I walked into the building, I could feel that this wasn’t going to be a typical day of panel talks and polite applause. The conversations were deep, ambitious, and sometimes even uncomfortable in all the right ways. They pushed us to challenge assumptions, reimagine relationships, and step into a future where Africa and Canada work together not just as allies, but as real partners.
I’ve been fortunate to be part of this journey from the beginning, moderating the very first symposium at the Toronto Global Forum in 2022, then seeing it grow into a powerful half-day at the Munk School in 2024, and now this, a full-day gathering that felt like a milestone. What made this year different wasn’t just the size, but the energy. The mix of roundtables, fireside chats, and thoughtful facilitation gave space for genuine dialogue. As someone who had the chance to facilitate one of the roundtable sessions on diplomacy, I was struck by how prepared and passionate the participants were. These weren’t just theoretical conversations, we were grappling with real-world questions about how Canada and Africa can show up for each other in meaningful ways.
The day before the main event, we had two standout roundtables, one focused on diplomatic engagement, the other on trade. The takeaway was clear: it’s time for Canada to move past symbolism and get serious about strate gic, influence-driven partnerships. And when it comes to trade, we need to stop seeing Africa as just a source of raw materials. The conversations invited us to think bigger, about co-creation, innovation, digital economies, infrastructure, and agriculture as shared opportunities.
By the time the symposium officially opened, the to ne was already set: Africa isn’t emerging, it’s shaping the future. The opening remarks captured this beautifully, framing Africa as a central player in the global order and issuing a challenge to Canada: adapt, engage, and show up with intention.One moment that really stayed with me was hearing from Ambassador Bob Rae. As a kid, I remember seeing him on the news, a familiar name in the background of Canadian politics. But listening to him speak at the symposium, offering both sobering realities and strategic possibilities, reminded me how powerful it is when experience meets evolving vision.
The fireside chats were something else. No scripts, no surface-level soundbites, just honest, layered conversations. I found myself nodding along, challenged by new perspectives, and scribbling down quotes to sit with later. A few highlights were Fenohasina Maret and David Harlley cutting through the noise around investment by pointing out it’s not about lacking capital, but about the stories we tell ourselves about risk. Then there was Prof. Lesley Warren’s session on energy and equity, which didn’t shy away from tough questions about extraction and industrialization. And the final fireside with Dr. Jill Humphries, Melvin Foote, and Helen Tewolde hit hard, calling out the outdated, often one-dimensional narrative of Africa in Canadian discourse, and spotlighting the diaspora’s role in reframing it.
But if I had to choose the most memorable moment, it might just be the opening fireside with Air Canada leadership. It was so grounded. Talking about something as tangible as flight routes might not sound flashy, but the implications were huge, connecting people, ideas, and markets in ways that are deeply human and deeply strategic. It reminded me that diplomacy isn’t just negotiated in boardrooms, it’s lived in the everyday.
The message across the entire day rang clear: Canada-Africa relations can’t be built on good intentions alone. We need strategy, courage, and above all, respect. Africa isn’t a challenge to solve, it’s a collaborator to build with. And sitting in that space, surrounded by thinkers, doers, and bridge-builders, I kept thinking: this isn’t just about policy or trade deals. It’s about imagination. What could the future look like if we truly moved together?
I left the symposium not just inspired, but accountable, to keep asking questions, to keep pushing the conversation forward, and to be part of shaping the story, not just watching it unfold.
