Access to and sharing of knowledge are fundamental pillars without which neither freedom, nor equality, nor even democracy are possible.

Our world is faced with vital challenges: climatic, social, health, democratic and digital. The social and territorial fractures in Senegalese society have intensified in recent years, particularly with the health crisis, which has increased the vulnerability of whole sections of the population. Lack of education and fake news are fuelling inequality, radicalism and the conflicts of tomorrow. Debate and critical thinking are impoverished, and with them an unprecedented destruction of confidence in democracy. Young people lack opportunities, the means to train and participate actively in society.

It's urgent. Urgency to build a society where everyone has access to reliable information, quality training and a diversified cultural offering. We urgently need to build a truly learning society, where people of all ages and all social backgrounds can acquire new skills and knowledge. This fight for knowledge is, of course, a fight for the emancipation and dignity of the most vulnerable. But it is also a battle for social cohesion, for the promotion of a more enlightened and peaceful public debate, for the constitution of a stronger, more creative and resilient society in the face of the challenges of our world.

These first Kajou Talks will bring together leading players from the economic, social and educational spheres, who will come together with participants to think about ways of shaping a society where everyone can learn, invent, create and enlighten themselves, in order to enlighten the world in return.

4pm - 5pm
Welcoming the public
and co-creation around the "Fresco for a learning society