Phoenix Project leader invited to Duke of Cambridge event

The leader of Cardiff University’s high-profile Phoenix Project has been invited to a special reception with the Duke of Cambridge to celebrate UK-Namibia relations.

Professor Judith Hall will attend the event in the Namibian capital Windhoek alongside key figures from sectors including conservation, British business, representatives of the Namibian government and mental health activists.

The Phoenix Project works with the University of Namibia to reduce poverty, promote health and support the environment.

Professor Hall, who is also the founder of the Mothers of Africa charity, said: “I’m delighted that the fantastic work of the Phoenix Project is being recognised in this way.

“Many, many colleagues in Wales and Namibia have worked extremely hard to make the project a success and we’ve made a huge difference to many lives already.

The reception on Tuesday 25 September is being hosted by the British High Commissioner to Namibia, Kate Airey OBE, who was in Cardiff recently when University of Namibia Vice-Chancellor Professor Lazarus Hangula received an honorary fellowship from Cardiff University.

Ms Airey tweeted: “Absolutely delighted to be welcoming HRH Prince William to Namibia next week. This will be the first official Royal visit since 1991 and a great opportunity to strengthen ties between two Commonwealth partners.”

Highlights of the Phoenix Project’s work in Namibia include:

• educating doctors and nurses to look after the sickest of patients during operations,
• creating a vibrant, successful software sector,
• supporting national culture and languages,
• enabling the police and ambulance services to save lives in road traffic collisions.

The Duke of Cambridge’s visit to Namibia on 24 and 25 September is part of a private working trip to Africa in his capacity as President of conservation umbrella group United for Wildlife and Patron of conservation organisation Tusk.

He will also visit Tanzania and Kenya on the trip, ahead of the 2018 Illegal Wildlife Trade Conference in London on 11 and 12 October 2018.

The aim of the conference is to strengthen international partnerships across borders and beyond government. It will focus on three key themes: tackling illegal wildlife trade as an organised crime, building coalitions and closing markets.