Thursday, 03-19-2009

Africa on the Cusp: Painful History, Hopeful Future

How and why is Africa so misunderstood by the rest of the world? How do aid agencies and the media undermine Africans’ own ability to help themselves? Can only Africans develop Africa? What can the new administration do to improve its ability to aid Africa?

The World Affairs Council presents Richard Dowden, one of the world’s leading journalists of African affairs. Since first arriving in Idi Amin’s Uganda in 1971, he has never stopped learning about and reporting on real Africans and the realities of life in Africa’s many and varied lands. Richard Dowden is director of the Royal African Society. He spent a decade as Africa Editor of the Independent, and then another decade as Africa Editor of the Economist. He has made television documentaries on Africa for the BBC and is the author of a number of books on Africa. His newest book, Africa: Altered States, Ordinary Miracles, will be released in March 2009.

Co-sponsored by: Seattle University: Global African Studies

Upon registration, you will be signed up for our bi-weekly newsletter, which provides updates on upcoming programs. If you do not wish to receive this newsletter please contact wac@world-affairs.org

The World Affairs Council is a non-partisan, non-profit organization which provides a forum for speakers representing diverse points of view. The opinions expressed by any and all speakers, presenters and/or guests at Council events are those of the speaker alone, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the World Affairs Council members, staff, Board of Trustees, or Advisory Council.