Cities of the Future: An Evening with Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, Mayor of Freetown, Sierra Leone

Join John N. Friedman, Vascellaro Family Dean of the Thomas J. Watson Jr. School of International and Public Affairs, for the inaugural Walter Family Lecture, featuring Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr. Over the next 50 years, African cities will drive much of the world’s population growth. How can these rapidly growing cities of the future provide broad-based opportunities for human development in a way that is environmentally resilient and inclusively governed? Join us for a conversation with the Honorable Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, Mayor of Freetown, Sierra Leone, to learn about her approach translating data into practical urban policy, building coalitions in resource-constrained settings, and aligning climate resilience with job creation. The Walter Family Lecture was established in 2025 through a generous gift made by the Walter Family Foundation to center the experiences and advancement of women in international and public affairs. Lectures are open to all members of the Brown community.