Secretary Powell to participate in 2002 African Affairs Series

U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, Assistant Secretary of State Walter Kansteiner, UNAIDS Director Peter Piot, U.S. Agency for International Development Assistant Administrator for Africa Constance Berry Newman, and New Partnership for Africa?’s Development (NEPAD) Steering Committee Chair Professor Wiseman Nkuhlu are among the global leaders participating in the Constituency for Africa?’s annual Ronald H. Brown African Affairs Series taking place in Washington, D.C., September 9-17, 2002.

This series of roundtables, workshops and strategy sessions offers a unique opportunity to educate the U.S. public on African issues, share best programme practices, compare and discuss public and private sector policies, and build a supportive and activist constituency for progressive U.S.-Africa policy.

Among this year?’s issues are the HIV/AIDS pandemic, democracy and governance, trade and business development, and the role of black higher education institutions in education in Africa. A policy dialogue will also be held with the U.S. Department of State.

"Our task is three-fold", declared the Honourable Ronald V. Dellums, chairman of CFA in announcing the 2002 RHB Series. "We will point a glaring spotlight at the diseases, famine and severe poverty that jeopardises tens of millions of lives in Africa. Second, we will push for the development, sharing and implementation of innovative strategies to empower the people of Africa to improve their lives and the futures of their children. And finally, we will reaffirm the remarkable potential the continent offers its people and the world with its human, natural and cultural riches."

A traditional part of the RHB African Affairs Series is the Constituent of the Year Luncheon. This year, CFA will confer upon Secretary Powell its coveted Constituent of the Year award. The Trailblazer award will go to Dr Peter Piot, Executive Director of UNAIDS, and the Corporate Leadership award will be presented to Frank Fountain, Vice-President, Daimler-Chrysler Company. Bono, lead singer of U2 and global humanitarian, will be honoured with the new Humanitarian Service award. The very distinctive Leon H. Sullivan Legacy award will pay tribute to C. Payne Lucas, President Emeritus, Africare; and the Grassroots Leadership Award will be given to Attorney Barbara James of Wichita, KS., a self-described gadfly for African concerns.

A special event will honour and introduce the leadership of the new African Union (AU), the visionary organisation launched by African leaders and institutions to assert their collective responsibilities and roles in shaping the continent. "AU?’s cornerstone initiative, the New Partnership for Africa?’s Development (NEPAD), is a significant breakthrough for Africa", said Melvin P. Foote, CFA?’s President and CEO. "It clearly proves the increasing ability and willingness of African leadership to collaborate and confront the common problems impacting their countries."

Other participants in the 2002 RHB Series will include ranking officials from such pivotal institutions as the World Bank, the United Nations, the African Diplomatic Corps, Members of Congress, non-profit organisations from Africa and their counterparts in the U.S., federal agencies, faith-based organisations, businesses, international organisations, individuals and other policymakers.

CFA, an 11-year-old non-profit 501(C) 3 corporation, presents the Ronald H. Brown African Affairs Series each year in conjunction with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation?’s Annual Legislative Conference. This year?’s sponsor is ChevronTexaco.

For details, a schedule of events and locations, contact CFA at 202.371.0588 or www.cfanet.org.