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The Challenge of Africa
The Promise of Africa - A Global Conference
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It is with great pleasure that we announce the upcoming Global Conference—The Challenge of Africa, The Promise of Africa (CAPA) to be held in February 2007. The conference will be hosted by the University of Southern California (USC) in cooperation with a coalition of organizations including the United Nations Association, the International Criminal Court Alliance, Africa-America Chamber of Commerce and Amnesty International USA, Western Region and the Art Center College of Design.
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CAPA is a visionary and historic conference that will bring together a local and international constituency including business and financial organizations, public officials, engineers, health professionals, human rights workers, students and concerned citizens. The mission is to create long-term partnerships and organizational alliances that will facilitate the global realization of Africa’s greatest potential, and to strengthen US support for this result. Ultimately, CAPA will be instrumental in fueling a shift in conscience from Africa as a continent laden with challenges to a continent rich in culture and resources, a viable global partner.
This three-day conference will be anchored by a large public event in Los Angeles featuring world-renowned speakers and musicians. This gathering will launch the conference and draw national attention to the growing and diverse constituency committed to the promise of the continent with specific attention to nations-states of sub-Saharan Africa. The conference will also feature a cultural day devoted to the celebration of the historic and artistic heritage of Africa including a film festival and a special art exhibit devoted to emerging contemporary African artists. The California African American Museum will partner with the conference in a number of these artistic endeavors.
The conference will address three main areas of focus with regard to Africa:
Human Rights and the Rule of Law
Economic Development and New Technology
Health and Humanitarian Aid
Each of these topics will be explored in break-out sessions that are designed to facilitate critical discussions, action agendas around solutions, partnerships and new strategies for realizing the development of the continent. The structure of the sessions will include an exploration of the problems being confronted, the current and potential role of international organizations including the United Nations, the role of US policy and the importance of American public opinion in accelerating solutions. Areas of special interest will be addressed, including the critical participation of women and girls in the eradication of poverty and hunger. Some sessions will benefit from cutting edge video-conferencing technology that will allow for international voices to participate more fully in these sessions. An inclusive agenda will emphasize participation from a variety of publics including the émigré community here in the United States and the unique challenges and promises that are encountered here.
CAPA will also explore new possibilities for cooperation within the arena of education. One legacy of the conference will be the establishment of an on going advocacy group and the launch of political, social and educational partnerships that work to counteract the “brain-drain”. This program will target the development of engineering and economic development programs with US and African institutions of higher learning.
We invite you and your organization to please SAVE the DATE. Your participation will help to ensure the most productive outcomes, including:
-Strengthen the US constituency to advocate on behalf of Africa
-Create, support and nurture global partnerships that support the growth of the continent
-Increase educational opportunities for primary and secondary students throughout the continent of Africa
-Advocate for responsible economic development and accountable business practices throughout the continent of Africa.
-Promote the rule of law, accountability and peace in regions of Africa.
-Encourage the development of technological infrastructure of Africa.
- Create new partnerships between US and African institutions of higher learning as well as academic support for scholarships and exchanges
- Increase support for humanitarian aide programs
For more information on this event, please feel free to contact us. |
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