Africa Up Close

MONDAY, MARCH 25, 2013
Islam in Africa: Trends and Policy Implications
Hosted by: Center for Strategic and International Studies
Location: Center for Strategic and International Studies, B1 Conference Center
1800 K Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20006
Time: 9:00am – 3:00pm
Summary: This conference will explore key trends in African Islam and examine how these trends and other new influences are shaping Muslim communities and their engagement in politics and public life. Guest speakers will discuss new dynamics within Islam in Africa, how Muslim groups organize themselves, how they relate to the state, each other and the broader society, the political and social issues around which they mobilize and engage, and how African governments are responding to their activities. U.S. policymakers have focused on Islam in Africa largely through the prism of security and violent extremist groups. This conference will examine those issues but place them within a much broader discussion of regional trends and dynamics.
For more information, please visit: http://csis.org/event/islam-africa-trends-and-policy-implications

Fairfax: Fambul Tok (Family Talk) – Free Documentary Film Screening
Hosted by: George Mason University – School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution
Location: George Mason University – Arlington Campus, Research 1
3301 Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22201
Time: 7:30pm – 9:30pm
Summary: Victims and perpetrators of Sierra Leone’s brutal civil war come together for the first time in an unprecedented program of tradition-based truth-telling and forgiveness ceremonies. Through reviving their ancient practice of fambul tok (family talk), Sierra Leoneans are building sustainable peace at the grass-roots level — succeeding where the international community’s post-conflict efforts failed. Filled with lessons for the West, this film explores the depths of a culture that believes that true justice lies in redemption and healing for individuals — and that forgiveness is the surest path to restoring dignity and building strong communities.
For more information, please visit: http://scar.gmu.edu/event/fairfax-fambul-tok-family-talk-free-documentary-film-screening

TUESDAY, MARCH 26, 2013
The Kampala Convention on Internal Displacement in Africa: A Human Rights Milestone
Hosted by: Brookings Institution
Location: Brookings Institution, Falk Auditorium
1775 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, D.C. 20036
Time: 2:00pm – 3:30pm
Summary: On December 6, 2012, the world’s first regional treaty on internal displacement came into effect. The African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa, known as the Kampala Convention, breaks new ground in articulating the rights of internally displaced persons (IDPs), and the responsibilities of states, regional organizations, and other actors to uphold them. With almost ten million people internally displaced across twenty-one sub-Saharan African states, the continent is home to one third of the world’s IDPs. Hopes are high that the Kampala Convention will make a concrete contribution to improving the wellbeing of IDPs across Africa, but this depends on the effective implementation of the Convention. How will African states, civil society organizations, and their international supporters respond to this challenge?

On March 26, the Brookings-LSE Project on Internal Displacement will host a discussion on this landmark achievement, its implications for IDP protection in Africa, and strategies to support the effective implementation of the agreement. Panelists will include Chaloka Beyani, UN special rapporteur on the human rights of IDPs and co-director of the Brookings-LSE Project on Internal Displacement; Niels Harild, lead social development specialist (displacement) with the World Bank; and Andrea Lari, director of programs at Refugees International. Megan Bradley, fellow with the Brookings-LSE Project on Internal Displacement, will moderate and provide introductory remarks.
For more information or to RSVP, please visit: http://www.brookings.edu/events/2013/03/26-kampala-convention?rssid=UpcomingEvents&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+BrookingsRSS%2Ftopfeeds%2FUpcomingEvents+%28Brookings+Upcoming+Events%29

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2013
Deficit in Social Trust: A Paradox in Ghana’s Democratic Development
Hosted by: John Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies
Location: Johns Hopkins SAIS – Bernstein-Offit Building, 736
1717 Massachusetts Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036
Time: 12:30pm – 2:00pm
Summary: Richard Asante, Mellon Postdoctoral Fellow at Northwestern University’s Program of African Studies, will discuss this topic.
For more information or to RSVP, please visit: http://sais-jhu.edu/events/2013-03-27-123000-2013-03-27-140000/deficit-social-trust-paradox-ghana%E2%80%99s-democratic

Bridging the Gap between Domestic and Foreign Affairs: Improving the Quality of Life of African Immigrants in the United States
Hosted by: John Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies
Location: Johns Hopkins SAIS – Bernstein-Offit Building, 500
1717 Massachusetts Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036
Time: 1:00pm – 2:00pm
Summary: Ngozi Nmezi, executive director of Washington, D.C. Mayor Vincent Grays Office on African Affairs, will discuss this topic. Note: SAIS will also host a live webcast available here at the time of the event.
For more information or to RSVP, please visit: http://sais-jhu.edu/events/2013-03-27-130000-2013-03-27-140000/bridging-gap-between-domestic-and-foreign-affairs

French Foreign Policy and the Intervention in Mali
Hosted by: George Washington University Elliott School of International Affairs
Location: Elliott School of International Affairs, Voesar Conference Room
1957 E Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20052
Time: 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Summary: Erwan Lagadec, Adjunct Professor of International Affairs, Elliott School of International Affairs, GW
PEERS invites you to a brown bag discussion with Erwan Lagadec on the implications of the intervention in Mali on France’s foreign policy.
For more information or to RSVP, please visit: http://www.elliottschool.org/events/calendar.cfm?fuseaction=ViewMonthDetail&yr=2013&mon=3#2058

THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2013
Algeria between Reforms and Stability
Hosted by: John Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies
Location: Johns Hopkins SAIS – Rome Building
1619 Massachusetts Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006
Time: 4:00pm – 5:30pm
Summary: I. William Zartman, SAIS professor emeritus, and Eammon Gearon, professional lecturer in the SAIS African Studies Program, will discuss this topic.
For more information or to RSVP, please visit: http://sais-jhu.edu/events/2013-03-28-160000-2013-03-28-173000/algeria-between-reforms-and-stability-0

FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 2013
Consolidating Democratic Gains, Promoting African Prosperity
Hosted by: US Institute of Peace
Location: US Institute of Peace
2301 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20037
Time: 9:00am – 10:30pm
Summary: Sierra Leone, Senegal, Malawi and Cape Verde all have made significant progress toward promoting democratic reform. These four countries’ heads of state will share the stage at the United States Institute of Peace for an important conversation on the link between good governance and increasing prosperity in their countries and across Africa. Among the topics for discussion will be promoting democracy, transparency, economic advancement, their countries’ roles as regional leaders, and how partnering with organizations like the Millennium Challenge Corporation has helped motivate and sustain democratic reforms.
PLEASE NOTE: Registration will begin at 8:15am, seating is first come first served with overflow space available. The program will begin promptly at 9:00am; all guests must be seated by 8:45am.
Panelists:

Macky Sall
President of Senegal

Dr. Joyce Banda
President of Malawi

Jose Pereira Neves
Prime Minister of Cape Verde

Jim Marshall
Introductions
President, U.S. Institute of Peace

Johnnie Carson
Moderator
Assistant Secretary for African Affairs, Department of State