Mount Kenya University (MKU) proudly celebrates the international achievement of Mary Simprose Bwakali, a student from the School of Social Sciences, who represented both the University and Kenya at the 39th Annual Meeting of the Academic Council on the United Nations System (ACUNS) held in Lisbon, Portugal, from 1–3 July 2026.
Mary presented her research paper, “Global Economic Governance and Financing for Development: Poverty and Inequality Reduction in Developing States,” which explores how international financial institutions and innovative financing mechanisms can help address poverty and inequality in developing countries. Her presentation attracted valuable feedback from leading scholars, policymakers, diplomats, and researchers from around the world.
During the three-day conference, she participated in keynote sessions, panel discussions, and networking events covering global governance, sustainable development, climate action, peace and security, artificial intelligence, human rights, international law, and the future of the United Nations. The experience enabled her to build international academic networks while gaining insights into emerging global policy and research trends.
Mary’s participation enhanced Mount Kenya University’s international visibility, showcasing the institution’s commitment to research excellence, innovation, and global engagement. The conference also strengthened her research, leadership, and communication skills, reinforcing the important role African scholars play in shaping international policy discussions and contributing solutions to global challenges.
