We are partnering with Academia because we know Law schools play a critical role in positively intervening in the criminal justice system by educating students on its inequities, as well as equipping students with the practical experience necessary to create real change. Colleges of law play a critical role in criminal justice reform and the most important part is educating students on the realities of criminal law this conference offers first-hand interaction, with those impacted by the system and the right holders and duty bearers in the criminal justice system offering an unparalleled learning experience for the students.

Beyond employing people. Beyond developing products and services. Beyond satisfying customers. Corporations play a broader role in society - one that includes helping solve some of the world's greatest challenges. Income inequality and workforce development are among the most pressing concerns we face today and one that has the largest impact on the world. We invite corporations to make social efforts at the Beyond the Bars Africa conference, where we believe we can make the greatest positive impact. For a purposeful strategy, we can collaboratively be on a mission to be a force for good. Making the world a better, more sustainable place by empowering people and innovating products that speak to the people.

Across different faith traditions, there exists a shared belief in the individual's dignity and the potential of that individual to redeem themselves. For those who have been isolated and alienated (as is the nature of incarceration), the opportunity for identity transformation, to be a valued part of something bigger than themselves, is life-changing. It is a chance to be defined not by their biggest mistakes, but rather by who they can become and how they show up in their community. We are offering an opportunity to Faith-Based organizations at the Beyond the Bars conference to offer direct services to address basic needs, connect the individuals impacted with resource agencies, offer educational seminars and workshops, and advocate for people's rights on multiple platforms.

Governments and NGOs have identified many policies and practices which in our experience, would improve the success of the efforts to alleviate poverty. Many of these policies will be discussed at the conference, and we hope the collaborative approach will be more successful than previous efforts. The Beyond the Bars conference will create an opportunity for the civil society organizations present to establish ways they can broaden and deepen their contribution to achieving sustainable development goals including poverty alleviation and, most importantly, the criminalization of poverty.