African Diplomatic Forum 2009: “Transitions & Transformation in Africa: The Cases of Ghana, Guinea, Kenya and Rwanda”

Date: Friday, November 20, 2009
Time: 1:00-6:00pm
Location: Columbia Law School, Jerome Green Hall, Room 106
 
The African Diplomatic Forum (ADF) is an annual conference that
gathers African diplomats, academics, students and activists to
discuss the continent’s interests and role in international affairs.
 
The ADF includes two topic-specific panels featuring African diplomats and experts on African affairs:
 
Panel I: “Political and Economic Development and the Question of
Transfers of Power: The Cases of Ghana, Kenya and Rwanda”
This panel seeks to discuss the impact of political and economic
development on transfers of power in Ghana, Kenya, and Rwanda. These three countries have been selected in order to generate insights on different circumstances and to ask what lessons can be shared more
broadly on the African continent. This panel will combine expertise on
African political institutions and political economy to tie together
the cases of Ghana, Kenya and Rwanda and broadly on the topic of
transfers of power.
 
Panel II: “Military Rule, Human Rights Abuses and Elections: Guinea’s
Quest for a Peaceful Transition”
With the recent political unrest and human rights abuses in Guinea,
there has been much debate about whether this situation warrants
international or regional intervention. This panel will seek to
combine panelists’ regional expertise and understanding of issues of
political transitions to provide a unique and comprehensive point of
view from which to discuss the regional implications of Guinea’s
political transition, and the ways in which to ensure that this
process culminates in the most beneficial and peaceful outcomes to
all.
 
Co-sponsored by the  Columbia University Institute of African
Studies, the Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs Pan-African Network and the African Law Student Association.

For more information, please visit:
http://ias.columbia.edu/events/eventsf09.html#afridiplo

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