YFOCAR will be a three-day conference held from April 24th to the 26th at Yale University to discuss contemporary and historical aspects of the relationship between China and Africa.

YFOCAR will feature a full schedule of events including panels, keynote addresses, discussion seminars, debates, film screenings, and concerts. These events will seek to create an open dialogue to strengthen cross-cultural ties, encourage mutual understanding, and set the stage for long-standing respect between China and the African continent. To that end, we will bring leaders in political, economic and cultural fields to discuss a variety of topics including International Global Effects of the China-Africa Partnerships; Energy, Environment & Global Politics; Darfur & Other Crisis Regions; and Africans Living in China.

YFOCAR invites open-minded scholars, students, and young professionals who are interested in the discussion of China-Africa relations to come participate. Attendees will leave the conference with a more comprehensive understanding of Chinese and African issues and will be better equipped to contribute to the development and study of this important relationship.

The registration form for the conference is available on the YFOCAR website, www.yale.edu/yfocar. Attendees must complete their registration by April 5th at 5pm. We ask that students also provide a registration fee of $50 which should be paid via check mailed to the address provided on the website. Students will be responsible for their
transportation to and from Yale. YFOCAR will provide housing and two meals per day per attendee.

The Sixth Annual African Economic Forum
“Assets to Action: Unmasking Africa’s Diverse Resources in a Challenging Era”

–Kwame Nkrumah’s Address to the National Assembly, June 12, 1965

Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Managing Director of the World Bank and former Finance Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
Dr. George Ayittey, Economist, Activist and President of the Free Africa Foundation

Featured Speaker:
William Kamkwamba, African Leadership Academy

With Panel Discussions On:
**Agriculture: Mobilizing Africa’s Agricultural Resources
**African Private Equity: Leveraging Local Resources
**Inspirations & Innovations: Bridging the Technology Gap
**Post-Conflict Economic Development
**Tourism in Africa: A Viable Revenue Source
**Development at the Cusp: Legal Practice in Africa

The ticket prices for the African Economic Forum are as follows:
Columbia Student / Professors: $25
Columbia Alums:   $35
General Public:   $45
Tickets on sale at SIPA, 4th floor (main floor) lobby starting Monday, March 8th. On-line registration to start later this week!

This event is brought to you by the SIPA Pan-African Network, the African Business Club, and the African Law Students Association, Columbia University.

http://www.sipa.columbia.edu/aef/index.html

The Black Law Student Association, the National Black Law Journal, the
African Law Student Association  and the Civil Rights Law Society  are
facilitating a lunch panel entitled “Bring Human Rights Home”
regarding current efforts by attorneys to utilize the international
human rights framework domestically. The event will take place on
March 3rd at 12:10pm in room 105 Jerome Greene Hall. A non-pizza lunch
will be served.

 On March 11 and 12, Professor Kwame Anthony Appiah of Princeton University will deliver a pair of public lectures as our Center’s Third Annual Scholar-in-Residence. 
  
The first, entitled “Citizens of the World?: Cosmopolitanism and the Ethics of Identity,” will be delivered Wednesday, March 11, 7:30 pm at the Yeshiva University Museum, 15 W. 16th Street, New York, NY. Reception to follow. 
  
The second, entitled “Religious Identity as a Challenge to Modern Politics,” will be delivered Thursday, March 12, 6:00 pm at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, 55 Fifth Avenue (at 12^th Street), New York, NY. 
  
Professor Appiah will be available to sign books after both events. Both lectures are free and open to the public, and will allow ample time for discussion. ASL interpretation will be provided, and both venues are wheelchair accessible. 
  
Seating is limited and advanced registration is strongly advised. Please RSVP to Paula Cassidy at pcassidy@yu.edu or (212) 960-0189.

From Janaya Williams, the Public Insight Analyst for WNYC, New York Public Radio:

Our Attorney General, Eric Holder, said recently that America is “a nation of cowards” when it comes to talking about race.  The mainstream media also sometimes misses the mark when covering race or communities of color.   WNYC sees a need for better coverage and is committed to tackling these issues.  We want to involve smart people in the community to help us do a better job, so I’m contacting young people of color who might have insights on these issues to help us with this. 

We’re trying to build a “collective intelligence” to help us find the most relevant stories and angles.  When people decide to take part, they become part of a network of sources around the city helping us cover the news.  

Do you see trends and stories that aren’t being reported in the news media?  Are journalists asking the right questions?  Do you work at – or have you started – an organization that’s working to bring issues of race and ethnicity to the forefront?

The way people can get involved is by simply agreeing to be one of our news sources, and by telling us about their experiences.  This information will NOT be used for marketing, and will not be shared with anyone else besides reporters and producers in the WNYC newsroom.  The link to the online form is here: http://www.publicradio.org/applications/formbuilder/user/form_display.php?isPIJ=Y&form_code=3ed3de2725a9

LOOKING FOR PRO BONO HOURS?

THE SOCIETY FOR IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE RIGHTS AND THE AFRICAN LAW STUDENTS ASSOCATION

ARE NOW OFFERING A NEW PRO BONO OPPORTUNITY

WITH THE AFRICAN SERVICES COMMITTEE

Located conveniently on 127^th Street, within walking distance from the law school, students can fulfill pro bono requirements by doing independent research, working with staff attorneys on immigration cases, or following through with housing and other related cases.

Lots of opportunities available for however many hours you are looking to fill

Screening Sessions on March 4, 11, 25, and 31 at 4:45 p.m.

contact jjc2198 AT columbia.edu