CONTACT: Wendy Leopold at (847) 491-4890 or at w-leopold@northwestern.edu

October 20, 2003

Conference on West Africa Will Focus on Practical Development Solutions

EVANSTON, Ill. --- West Africa and its struggle against extreme poverty, corruption, warfare and unstable government will be the focus of a three-day conference sponsored by Northwestern University's Program of African Studies from Nov. 13 through Nov. 15.

“West Africa finds itself at a crossroads, and Northwestern, with other institutions, must support the region’s efforts to improve governance, achieve democracy and accelerate development,” said Richard Joseph, Program of African Studies director. “Strategic action, not rhetoric, will prevent further conflict and economic decline.”

A conference roundtable titled "African States in Crisis: What Should Be Done?" is the one event in the conference that is free and open to the public. It will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13, at the McCormick Tribune Center Forum, 1870 Campus Drive, Evanston campus.

The three-day conference on "Governance and Insecurity in West Africa" will bring together invited scholars, researchers, activists and representatives of government and international agencies in an effort to find practical solutions to the enormous challenges facing the region's 16 nations. There will be panels addressing corruption, HIV/AIDS, democracy, ethnic conflict and other subjects vital to West Africa’s future.

The Program of African Studies will propose the creation of a Consortium for Development Partnerships (CDP). The CDP will marshal the resources of Northwestern University and other partner organizations to strengthen several institutions key to the development of West Africa.

Although West African states such as Ghana, Mali, Senegal and Benin have made impressive strides towards democracy, others, including Togo, Cameroon and Guinea, remain mired in authoritarianism. Widespread corruption in the region's largest country, Nigeria, prevents the benefits of substantial oil revenues from reaching the vast majority of Nigeria’s 120 million citizens.

Due to persistent conflict and poor governance, other West African nations, including Liberia, Sierra Leone and Ivory Coast, have suffered state failure. And “failed states,” as demonstrated by Afghanistan, can become breeding grounds for warlords, illicit enterprises and terrorism.

Northwestern University's Program of African Studies is the oldest and among the very best African studies programs in the country. The University is home to the Herskovits Library of African Studies, the world's largest separate library on Africa. In addition, several of the University’s schools, including the Medill School of Journalism, Kellogg School of Management, Feinberg School of Medicine and the School of Law, are expanding their involvement in Africa.

Recommendations from the conference will guide the expansion of Northwestern’s commitment to African development.

Media are welcome to attend conference sessions in Room 108 of Harris Hall, 1881 Sheridan Road, on Thursday and Friday, Nov. 13 and 14. Sessions on Saturday, Nov. 15, will be held in the Northwestern Room at Norris University Center, 1999 Campus Drive.

The conference is supported by a grant from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.

For further information, call (847) 491-2596 or visit the conference Web site at www.northwestern.edu/african-studies/westafricaconference.htm.