Events for the Week of March 17 – 21, 2014

Continue reading for some of the events next week in D.C. concerning Africa.

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TUESDAY, March 18, 2014
Peace and Stability in the Central African Republic
Hosted by: Brookings Institute
Location: Falk Auditorium
1775 Massachusetts Ave, NW
Washington, DC
Time: 9:30am – 11:00am
Summary: The Central African Republic has become one of the most challenging humanitarian, security and political crises on the African continent since the coup that unseated President Francois Bozizé one year ago. Violence along community and religious lines has claimed thousands of lives, and more than one million people remain displaced. Strong domestic and international efforts are needed to address the humanitarian and security crisis as well as restore state authority and consolidate peace in the country. On March 18th, the Africa Growth Initiative at Brookings will host a conversation with Archbishop Dieudonné Nzapalainga, Imam Omar Kabine Layama and Reverend Nicolas Guérékoyamé Gbangou, the Central African Republic's highest-ranking Catholic, Muslim and Protestant leaders, respectively. Their work to prevent violence and promote interreligious tolerance has won national and international praise. Brookings Senior Fellow Amadou Sy will moderate the discussion, which will include questions from the audience.

This event will be live webcast. Join the conversation on Twitter using #CARCrisis.

For more information, please visit: http://www.brookings.edu/events/2014/03/18-peace-stability-car

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WEDNESDAY, March 19, 2014
Making Foreign Direct Investment Work for Sub-Saharan Africa: Local Spillovers and Competitiveness in Global Value Chains: Local Spillovers and Competitiveness in Global Value Chains
Hosted by: The World Bank
Location: Auditorium J1-050
World Bank J Bldg
701 18th Street, NW
Washington, DC
Time: 12:30pm-2:00pm
Summary: The book presents the results of a groundbreaking study designed to address the question of spillovers from Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), drawing on detailed field research in eight countries across three sectors: agribusiness, apparel, and mining. The study presents a summary of the results of this analytical work and discusses their implications for policy makers hoping to harness the power of FDI for greater development outcomes. Speakers include Marcelo M. Giugale, Thomas Farole, Deborah Winkler, Theodore H. Moran.
For more information, please visit:http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INFOSHOP1/Resources/MakingForeignDirectInvestment.pdf

Will the New Africa be Inclusive?
Hosted by: Society for International Development
Location: DAI Boardroom
7600 Wisconsin Ave, 2nd Fl
Bethesda, MD
Time: 3:00pm-6:00pm
Summary: Moderated discussion offering diverse perspectives on whether the rapid GDP growth rates being experienced in a number of African countries will lead to an inclusive society and shared growth or further polarization between rich and poor. Panel members will explore how/whether those African countries that have gained a place in the top rank of global GDP growth over the past five years can sustain high growth and at the same time avoid a worsening split between, on the one hand, a progressively more prosperous, well-educated middle class and business community, and, on the other hand, a large mass of rural and, increasingly, urban poor who do not participate in this growth process, remain marginalized, and are trapped in poverty. Can Africa's top performers extend the benefits of growth in a way that includes the poor, creates jobs for their rapidly growing population, and delivers opportunity as well as basic needs for everyone? What are the key requirements to chart and pursue this path?

Following a welcome from DAI President Jim Boomgard, a short powerpoint presentation by DAI staff will set the stage by highlighting key facts and figures on growth and inclusion in the "New Africa" top performers. The moderator will then lead the panel in a discussion organized around a set of guiding questions. This "armchair style" discussion (no formal presentations or powerpoints) will be followed by Q&A with the audience and a wine-and-cheese reception.

For more information, please visit: http://www.sidw.org/mc/community/eventdetails.do?eventId=412904&orgId=wdcsid&recurringId=0 

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THURSDAY, March 20, 2014
A Democratic Agenda for the Congo
Hosted by: National Endowment for Democracy
Location: 1025 F Street NW
Suite 800 (8th Floor)
Washington, DC
Time: 9:00 - 2:00pm
Summary: Nearly 20 years since the start of the Congo wars, a sustainable peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is within reach. But while the coordinated efforts of the international, regional and Congolese actors have reduced some of the immediate security threats in the East, the fundamental problems of poor governance and impunity affecting the entire country also require sustained, clear and coordinated commitment. With major elections scheduled through the next three years and the Congolese government's stated intent to improve human rights and combat corruption, Congo, along with its regional and international partners, has a rare opportunity to chart a course for a more democratic society in 2014.

In light of this hopeful moment in the history of Congo, several leading international foundations and institutes will organize a one-day conference bringing together Congolese civil society leaders and key actors from international organizations focused on democracy in the DRC. Building on the 2011 conference on the root causes of instability in the DRC, this conference will provide an independent, neutral setting for representatives from the Congolese government, civil society and international partners — three actors that rarely meet together — to discuss democratic reform. In addition to complementing Endowment-funded work on mobilizing Congolese grassroots involvement in the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework, the conference will focus on viable strategies to support Congo's commitment to democratization and especially the organization of free, fair and credible elections.

For more information, please visit: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/conference-a-democratic-agenda-for-the-congo-tickets-10898613045

Political Instability in Nigeria, the Great Lakes and the Central Africa Region
Hosted by: GMU School for International Conflict Analysis and Resolution
Location: Arlington Campus - Metropolitan Building, Conf Rm 5183
3351 Fairfax Drive
Arlington, va
Time: 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Summary: Ambassador Johnnie Carson will join the S-CAR community from 7pm to 9 pm for an evening of discussion about his extensive work and experience on the African continent. Among the topics for discussion will be the Political instability in Nigeria, the Great lakes region and the Central Africa Region; Healthcare issues in Botswana and South Africa and finally the Economic hardships across the continent especially in Zimbabwe. Please join us for this exciting and enlightening event.

For more information, please visit: http://scar.gmu.edu/event/political-instability-nigeria-great-lakes-region-and-central-africa-region