Pop!Tech 2006: Dangerous Ideas

Neema Mgana was the youngest of 1,000 women from around the world jointly nominated for the 2005 Nobel Peace Prize. In 2000, she co-founded an organization providing education, health and other services to over 200 children affected by HIV/AIDS in her native Tanzania. She then founded the African Regional Youth Initiative (ARYI) while a first-year graduate student in 2003. In 2006, she co-founded the Forum for Global Action.

Neema is currently a board member of several organizations, and is spearheading projects to improve health delivery in Africa, including projects developing health and education facilities in rural Africa. The most elaborate project is the “Rural Center of Excellence,” based in the village of Ipuli, Tanzania, where the first medical center and nursing and allied health training facility are being built for operation in early 2007.

Neema has received a master’s degree in international health from Loma Linda University of Health Science in the US, and a BS in health informatics from the University of Victoria in Canada. She also has certificates in humanitarian assistance and international peace studies.

www.aryi.interconnection.org