Harvard Alumni Summit: Middle East and Africa

The first “Harvard Alumni Summit: Middle East and Africa” was hosted at the recently inaugurated Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo on January 16–18, 2026. Weatherhead Center Director Melani Cammett and Executive Director Erin Goodman attended the multiday conference and spoke at multiple panels and events alongside 200+ attendees from some thirty countries. 

The summit brought together Harvard alumni, regional leaders, business executives, innovators, and change makers from across the Middle East, Africa, and the rest of the world. The event celebrated innovation, collaboration, and sustainable impact by connecting ideas across regions to shape the future of health, education, and the digital economy. Twelve Harvard clubs from the Middle East and Africa cosponsored the summit. 

Preceding the summit, on Thursday, January 15, the Weatherhead Center hosted a dinner that brought together club leaders from Egypt, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, and Turkey. The private dinner featured a discussion with special guest H.E. Ambassador Tamim Khallaf, spokesperson for the Egyptian foreign ministry and former Weatherhead fellow (2008–2009).  

On Friday, January 16, following Vice Provost Mark Elliott’s address to the more than two hundred alums in attendance, Director Melani Cammett discussed the activities and goals of the Weatherhead Center in a panel moderated by Executive Director Erin Goodman. Other Harvard centers represented on the panel included the Center for Middle Eastern Studies, the Center for African Studies, and the Center for International Development.  

On Saturday, January 17, Melani Cammett presented a keynote address titled “Power, Policy & AI” with a focus on the Middle East. Her remarks contextualized a panel that followed with thought leaders discussing the topic of AI and the public sector.  

We are grateful to have attended this inspiring event, and extend special thanks to everyone who put together this summit.