The Africa Christian Professionals Forum (ACPF) has revised posters of its speakers list for the upcoming Pan-African Conference on Family Values (PACFV2025) in Nairobi after facing backlash.
In an earlier announcement, the forum had announced an all-white panel, meant to hold discussions on African matters.
The exclusion of African voices in a supposedly Pan-African space triggered online outrage, with many calling it tone-deaf and a show of neo-colonial attitudes.
Consequently, ACPF has on Monday, May 12, issued a public clarification over the released speaker’s list for the Pan-African Conference on Family Values.
It has acknowledged the uproar on social media and concerns from civil society, explaining that the majority of its speakers, three-quarters, are African leaders drawn from diverse sectors across the continent.
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Representation from African Professionals
According to the forum, the majority of the final panel, three-quarters of speakers, are African professionals, religious leaders, and government officials, including representatives from the Government of Kenya, the conference host.
“Careful attention has been given to gender balance to ensure inclusive and diverse representation of both men and women,” the statement said.
The organisation also defended the inclusion of speakers from Europe, the U.S., and other global regions, describing them as “friends and partners” who share a common vision on defending life, the family unit, and cultural heritage.
“Their participation reflects our broader commitment to building global solidarity around these universal principles while keeping Africa firmly at the centre of this important discourse,” ACPF noted.
However, some activists have remained sceptical and are calling for transparency in the final speaker list and agenda.
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Explanation of the All white Poster
According to the forum, the circulated poster was only one among many that had been published in planning for the conference.
“The Africa Christian Professionals Forum (ACPF) wishes to address and clarify the misinformation currently circulating concerning a previous provisional flyer that listed speakers drawn from other regions.
“We urge the public and our partners to avoid being misled by such claims. The flyer in question was only one among several provisional drafts prepared in the course of planning for the Pan-African conference on Family Values,” stated the forum.
Moreover, the organisation has explained that it brings together stakeholders and professionals from various locations in the world.
“ACPF brings together stakeholders, professionals, like-minded individuals from diverse Christian denominations, professional bodies, allied partners, and friends from around the world,” added the statement.
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