Africa Up Close

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

MONDAY, JUNE 10th, 2013
Tyranny of Consensus – a Reception with Author Janne E. Nolan
Hosted by: The Stimson Center
Location:The Stimson Center
1111 19th Street Northwest, 12th Floor, Washington D.C., DC 20036
Time: 5:00pm – 6:30pm
Summary: In ‘Tyranny of Consensus,’ Nolan examines three cases-the Islamic Revolution in Iran, the proxy war with the Soviet Union in Afghanistan, and the 1998 embassy bombings in East Africa-to find the limitations of American Policy-makers in understanding some of the important developments around the world. Assisted by working group of senior practitioners and policy experts, Nolan finds that it is often the impulse to protect the already arrived at policy consensus that is to blame for failure. Without access to informed discourse or a functioning ‘marketplace of ideas,’ policy-makers can find themselves unable or unwilling to seriously consider possible correctives even to obviously flawed strategies.
For more information or to RSVP, please visit: http://www.stimson.org/events/tyranny-of-consensus-a-reception-with-author-janne-e-nolan/

TransAfrica and Busboys and Poets Present: Horace Campbell Discussing His Book ‘Global NATO and the Catastrophic Failure in Libya: Lessons for Africa in the Forging of African Unity’
Hosted by: TransAfrica
Location: Busboys and Poets @ 5^th and K
1025 5th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20009, Cullen Room
Time: 6:30pm – 8:00pm
Summary: In this incisive account, scholar Horace Campbell investigates the political and economic crises of the early twenty-first century through the prism of NATO’s intervention in Libya. He traces the origins of the conflict, situates it in the broader context of the Arab Spring uprisings, and explains the expanded role of a post-Cold War NATO. This military organization, he argues, is the instrument through which the capitalist class of North America and Europe seeks to impose its political will on the rest of the world, however warped by the increasingly outmoded neoliberal form of capitalism. The intervention in Libya—characterized by bombing campaigns, military information operations, third party countries, and private contractors—exemplifies this new model.
For more information or to RSVP, please visit: http://transafrica.org/events/2013/6/10/transafrica-and-busboys-and-poets-present-horace-campbell-di.html

TUESDAY, JUNE 11th, 2013
Dissertation Proposal Defense: Fatima Hadji – Social Mobilization in Morocco: February 20 movement, Local Tansikiyats, and the Struggle for Real Change?
Hosted by: GMU School for Conflict Analysis & Resolution
Location: George Mason University – Arlington Campus
3351 Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22201
Truland Building, 7th Floor Conference Room
Time: 10:00am – 12:00pm
Summary: The recent overthrow of regimes in Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya has not resulted in similar outcomes in neighboring Morocco. While the regime has successfully avoided substantial change through limited reforms and various means of manipulation and repression, the February 20 movement has remained active and represents an innovative type of politics. In order to understand this movement it is necessary to examine the innovative local organizing structures (known as Tansikiyats). The emergence of local Tansikiyats of the February 20 movement constitutes a new phenomenon that merits explanation.
For more information or to RSVP, please visit: http://scar.gmu.edu/event/dissertation-proposal-defense-fatima-hadji-social-mobilization-morocco-february-20-movement-lo
 
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12th, 2013
Hearing- Modernizing U.S. International Food Aid: Reaching More for Less
Hosted by: House Committee on Foreign Affairs
Location: House Committee on Foreign Affairs
2172 House Rayburn Office Building Washington, DC 20515
Time: 10:00am
Summary:
The Honorable Andrew Natsios
Executive Professor
The George H.W. Bush School of Government and Public Service
Texas A&M University
(Former Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development)

The Honorable Dan Glickman
Executive Director
Aspen Institute Congressional Program
(Former Secretary of Agriculture)
For more information or to RSVP, please visit: http://foreignaffairs.house.gov/hearing/hearing-modernizing-us-international-food-aid-reaching-more-less

Civil Society and the Quest for Democracy in Uganda: Threats and Opportunities
Hosted by: National Endowment for Democracy
Location: National Endowment for Democracy
1025 F Street NW, Suite 800, Washington, D.C. 20004
Time: 12:00pm – 2:00pm
Summary: Fifty years after independence, genuine democracy continues to elude Uganda. After decades of brutal dictatorships and autocratic rule, current president Yoweri Museveni restored the world’s hope for peace and prosperity when he took power in January 1986 and embarked on a series of political and economic reforms.

Today, twenty-six years later, Uganda once again faces a restrictive political environment, flawed electoral processes, and an apathetic citizenry. At the same time, over the past five years, a cross-section of civil society organizations has led the effort to mobilize greater civic participation in political accountability processes.

In his presentation, Frank Rusa Nyakaana will explore the opportunities and challenges faced by Ugandan civil society groups in their struggle for political accountability. He will offer his perspectives on the way forward, as well as recommendations for international development practitioners, civil society, and the Ugandan government.
For more information or to RSVP, please visit: http://ned.org/events/civil-society-and-the-quest-for-democracy-in-uganda-threats-and-opportunities

Subcommittee Hearing: American NGOs Under Attack in Morsi’s Egypt
Hosted by: House Subcommittee on Middle East and North Africa
Location: 2172 House Rayburn Office Building Washington, DC 20515
Time: 1:00pm
Summary:
The Honorable Lorne W. Craner
President
International Republican Institute
(Former Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor)

Mr. Charles W. Dunne
Director
Middle East and North Africa
Freedom House

Ms. Joyce Barnathan
President
International Center for Journalists

Mr. Kenneth Wollack
President
National Democratic Institute
For more information or to RSVP, please visit: http://foreignaffairs.house.gov/hearing/subcommittee-hearing-american-ngos-under-attack-morsi%E2%80%99s-egypt

Lessons Learned from Kenya’s 2013 Poll: A Conversation with IEBC Chairman Hassan
Hosted by: International Foundation for Electoral Systems
Location: International Foundation for Electoral Systems
1850 K Street, NW, 5th Floor Washington, DC
Fifth Floor
Time: 2:00pm
Summary: Kenya’s March 4th election ushered in the first elected government under the country’s new constitution. The election was widely regarded as credible and peaceful and, in the end, Uhuru Kenyatta was elected president by a narrow margin of 50.07 percent of the vote. Since 2011, the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) has provided a range of technical assistance to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) in support of the polls.

While the election was widely considered to be free and fair, there were a number of challenges that the IEBC encountered, including problems with the introduction of new election technology. The IEBC is now undertaking a thorough lessons learned process with the help of IFES, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and other election stakeholders.

As the IEBC begins this period of reflection on what went right, what went wrong and how this knowledge can strengthen the management of future elections, please join us for an interactive discussion on this topic.
For more information, please visit: http://www.ifes.org/Content/Events/2013/Lessons-Learned-from-Kenyas-2013-Poll-A-Conversation-with-IEBC-Chairman-Hassan.aspx

FRIDAY, JUNE 14th, 2013
Current Challenges to Christian-Muslim Relations in Egypt
Hosted by: US Institute of Peace
Location: US Institute of Peace
2301 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, D.C.
Time: 10:00am – 12:00pm
Summary: After decades of authoritarian rule, Egypt’s transition to democracy is tackling incredible challenges including political, social and economic reform, infrastructural development, and the ongoing religious sectarianism. During Hosni Mubarak’s rule, Christian-Muslim relationships could be described as passively tolerant for the sake of maintaining national unity and harmony. However, since the revolution and the election of the President Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood party, extremist narratives have surfaced causing conflicts between Muslims and Christians. What challenges do religious leaders and their communities face in the current democratic transition? What steps have religious leaders taken to curtail extremist narratives?

Speakers will include Dr. Mohamed Ali Goma’a, Dr. Mouneer Hanna Anis, and Dr. Qamar-ul Huda.
For more information or to RSVP, please visit: http://www.usip.org/events/current-challenges-christian-muslim-relations-in-egypt