Upcoming Forum Programs
The Forum collaborates with Colby College's Goldfarb Center for Public Affairs, the Margaret Chase Smith Library, and various other community organizations to bring informed and stimulating programs to the Waterville micropolitan region. In addition to our monthly luncheon talks, each year we strive to bring one of our speaker programs to a local high school to engage students in global affairs. The Forum hosts a larger, summer event - the Linda Cotter Speaker Series - where we bring a nationally recognized expert in global affairs to keynote an evening addressing a global issue.
Up Next:
Date & Time: Wednesday, January 15th, Noon / Where: Chace Forum, 9 Main St.
Pandit Mami
the DavisConnects Advisor for International Policy, Government, and Consulting at Colby College, to speak on Sub-Saharan governance
Pandit Mami graduated from Colby College as a distinguished Davis Scholar with a Bachelor of Arts in Government and later became one of the first international recipients of Marquette University’s prestigious Trinity Fellowship, earning a Master of International Affairs. Today, he serves as the DavisConnects advisor for International Policy, Government, and Consulting at Colby, guiding students in pursuing impactful policy and global advocacy careers.
Pandit is a proud Sierra Leonean who has dedicated his career to empowering communities and advancing equitable access to education and economic opportunities. As CEO and founder of the NGOYEAA Back to School Foundation, Pandit has led groundbreaking educational initiatives, supporting vulnerable youth in Sierra Leone in staying in school and building resilient futures. As the Foreign and Diaspora Lab Research Lead at the Africa Center for Strategic Progress, Pandit’s published works advocate for African-led policy initiatives by challenging colonial legacies and promoting grassroots democratic reforms across sub-Saharan Africa.
Pandit’s journey spans continents—Sierra Leone, Vietnam, Singapore, the Middle East, and the U.S.—giving him a rich, first-hand understanding of diverse sociopolitical landscapes. His global influence is recognized through prestigious roles, including serving as Sierra Leone’s youth ambassador to the One Young World Summit and participating in the Slavery Youth Debate at the British House of Commons.
Follow this link to read Mami’s recently published article titled “Social Policy in Sub-Saharan Africa and Colonial Institutional Legacies.”
Unless otherwise noted, MMGF lunch-time speaker events are held at the Chace Community Forum at 9 Main Street, downtown Waterville and are free and open to the general public. Lunch is available to order in advance. Closer to the event, you will be able to place your lunch order ($16 each) via this site.
Stay in touch with MMGF
Use the form below to subscribe to the MMGF e-newsletter to stay in touch with our organization and learn about upcoming events and community-wide opportunities to stay engaged with global affairs. If you have a direct inquiry, please contact us at midmaineglobalforum@gmail.com.