Washington, DC — The Constituency for Africa (CFA) announces its collaboration with the African Union (AU) and the Elliott School of International Affairs at the George Washington University for the 2018 Ronald H. Brown African Affairs Series. This year's Series will be held from September 17th through September 20th in Washington, DC. For information on the Series and to register, please visit www.ronaldbrownseries.org.
"I am excited about CFA's partnership with the African Union and George Washington University," stated Mr. Melvin P. Foote, CFA's Founder, President & Chief Executive Officer. "We have worked closely with both institutions in previous years, and our collaboration this year affords CFA the opportunity to more closely align our efforts with the AU and George Washington University to engage the Diaspora on meaningful policy issues that affect the lives of hundreds of millions of Africans and Africans in the Diaspora."
The theme of the 2018 Ronald H. Brown Series is "CFA: Making the Case for Fair, Effective, and Balanced U.S.-Africa Policy." This year's Series will be comprised of seven events, to include four policy roundtables and a U.S.-Africa Policy Forum. Participants will include stakeholders from government, private-sector, civil society, and academia from the U.S., Africa, and throughout the Diaspora.
The policy roundtables will be convened at the AU Mission in Washington, DC. "The AU has worked closely with CFA in support of the Ronald H. Brown Series and other CFA events over the last few years. CFA's work to educate and mobilize the African Diaspora is consistent with one of our key activities at the AU Mission. The AU is fully aware that sustainable development in Africa must involve the African Diaspora," said H.E. Arikana Chihombori, the AU's Permanent Representative to the U.S.
After the conclusion of the policy roundtables, CFA will convene a U.S.-Africa Policy Forum hosted by the Elliott School of International Affairs at the George Washington University in Washington, DC.
CFA's signature event, the U.S.-Africa Policy Forum, will provide participants with an opportunity to be briefed on the outcome of the policy roundtables that will be held over the first three days of the Ronald H. Brown Series. Participants will then discuss, debate, and agree on a Diaspora strategy that will include specific recommendations for the current U.S. Administration and the African Union on Trade & Investment, Next Generation Leadership, Healthcare Infrastructure, and Peace & Security.
Previous Co-Chairs of this policy forum include the Honorable Andrew Young, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and Mayor of Atlanta, Georgia; and His Excellency Hage Geingob, President of the Republic of Namibia. "George Washington University's Elliott School of International Affairs has hosted CFA's U.S.-Africa Policy Forum the last two years," said Ambassador Reuben E. Brigety, Dean of the Elliott School of International Affairs. "I expect this year's discussion to address critical issues impacting U.S.-Africa relations and to explore pragmatic policy recommendations to improve and strengthen the U.S.-Africa partnership." The Elliott School will also host the CFA Chairman's Reception on the evening of Wednesday, September 19th.
For more information on this year's Ronald H. Brown African Affairs Series and to register for events, please visit www.ronaldbrownseries.org.
About the Constituency for Africa: For over 27 years, CFA has established itself as one of the leading, non-partisan organizations focused on educating and mobilizing the American public and the African Diaspora in the U.S. on U.S.-Africa policy. As a result, CFA has helped to increase the level of cooperation and coordination among a broad-based coalition of individuals and organizations committed to the progress, development, and empowerment of Africa and African people worldwide.
About the African Union: The African Union Representational Mission to the U.S. is the first bilateral diplomatic mission of the African Union. Officially launched on July 11, 2007 in Washington, DC, its mandate is to undertake, develop, and maintain constructive and productive institutional relationships between the African Union and the executive and legislative branches of the U.S. Government, the African Diplomatic Corps, the Africans in the Diaspora, and the Bretton Woods Institutions.
About the Elliott School of International Affairs:The George Washington University has educated generations of international leaders and advanced the understanding of important global issues since 1821. The Elliott School of International Affairs, named in honor of former GW President Lloyd H. Elliott and his wife Evelyn, is dedicated to this mission. ESIA trains its students in the theory and practice of international affairs, offering them in-depth analysis of international economic, political, scientific and cultural issues. The School's widely respected faculty prepares Elliott School students for global careers in the public, private and non-profit sectors.
Contact Information:
Constituency for Africa Mr. J.P. Walker - jpwalker@cfa-network.org
African Union Mission: Attention: Mrs. Josepha Musabyemariya - musabyemariyaJ@Africa-Union.org
Elliott School of International Affairs George Washington University: Mr. Jason Shevrin - jshevrin@gwu.edu
