New York — Please join us at AAI's 20th Annual Awards Dinner, to be held at the United Nations in New York City on September 20, 2004, during the week of the UN General Assembly. At the dinner, H.E. Sam Nujoma, President of Namibia will accept the AAI Award for National Achievement on behalf of the people of Namibia. The event will coincide with President Nujoma's final visit to the United Nations as Namibia's Head of State. Finland's former President, H.E. Martti Ahtisaari, who was the UN Secretary General's Special Representative to Namibia during the 1989 to 1990 peace negotiations and Namibia's transition to democracy will serve as Honorary Chair, and Maurice Tempelsman will be the Dinner Chair. See www.aaionline.org/awardsdinner.
This year, the AAI Award for African National Achievement will recognize Namibia's notable commitment to education. Since it achieved independence in 1990, the Namibian government has reformed teacher education, redesigned the school curriculum, and increased its education budget. The results have been substantial and positive: between 1990 and 2000, adult literacy increased from 75% to 82%; youth literacy increased from 87% to 92%; and the secondary school gross enrollment ratio increased from 44% to 60%. Within an even shorter period of time, the percentage of teachers qualified to teach more than doubled going from 12% in 1992 to 25% in 1998.
The Honorable Donald Payne, Congressman from New Jersey, will accept the AAI Award of Special Recognition for Promoting Positive U.S.-Africa Relations and AAI will publicly acknowledge his tireless efforts and long and distinguished track record in a realm of activity that is at the core of AAI's mission: the promotion of enlightened engagement between the United States and the countries of Africa. The work he led earlier this year to raise $.5 billion in multilateral support for Liberia is of special note for this years dinner theme, Celebrating Achievements in African Education and International Collaboration. We have also asked Ambassador John C. Danforth to join us and accept a Special Recognition Award for his work to facilitate an end to the war in Sudan.
Since its founding in 1953, AAI has been guided by the belief that no strategy to achieve sustainable development in Africa can succeed without concerted attention to the education and skills of people. At any point in history, whether the goals are to prevent war or to increase trade, the human resource dimension is critical. We proudly count more than 20,000 Africans as alumni of AAI's graduate and professional training programs. These leaders are now among the vanguard in strengthening Africa's emerging private sector, and in democratization, women's rights, economic reform and other progressive movements across the continent. In addition, AAI offers members of Congress, leaders in business and education, and a broad spectrum of other Americans a deeper understanding of Africa.
Despite the challenges it has to confront, the continent has unprecedented opportunities for significant progress and positive change in the coming years. A diverse group of American and African business leaders, dignitaries, educators and journalists attend AAI's Awards Dinner with a common commitment to building a better future for Africa. Our collective will and financial means are a force to make sure that productive change takes hold. We look forward to seeing you there.
