Advanced Seminar Series on U.S.-Africa Policy Development

Fall 2023

Open to students, faculty, and the public.
In person. RSVP not required.

The Advanced Seminar Series on U.S.-Africa Policy Development focuses on practical skills that help students succeed as practitioners in careers in federal government, foreign service, think tanks and international organizations. These seminars are designed to supplement the substantive and theoretical aspects of our academic curriculum and teach skills applicable to the professional world. Through weekly lectures and discussions with prominent, successful policymakers and practitioners, students learn about the main responsibilities and activities of State Department officials, international organization administrators, and prominent policy makers and thought leaders in African Affairs. This series also gives students insights into policy development and implementation by enabling them to review current policies and preparing briefing papers that will allow students to hone the analytical and communications skills necessary to convey complex themes for a policymaker audience.

Wednesdays
5:10 pm - 7:10 pm

Douglass Hall, Room 106
Howard University

Seminars:

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November 29

5:30 pm

U.S. Policy toward Africa: Formulation, Implementation, Future

Guest Speaker:
Ambassador Johnnie Carson, Special Presidential Representative for U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit Implementation
US-Africa Policy Development Seminar: Melvin Foote
November 1

Group-up Policy Making: The Role of Diaspora and Civil Society in Shaping U.S. Policy Toward Africa

Guest Speaker:
Mr. Melvin Foote, President, Constituency for Africa
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POSTPONED

Africa-U.S. Diplomacy in Practice: The Case of Tanzania

Guest Speaker:
Her Excellency Elsie Sia Kanza, Ambassador of Tanzania to United States of America
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October 11

U.S. Public Diplomacy Toward Africa and President Nelson Mandela’s Role

Guest Speaker:
Mr. Richard Stengel, Former U.S. Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs
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October 4

Journalistic Perspectives on Africa-U.S. Policy Issues

Guest Speaker:
Mr. Joe Davidson, Columnist, The Washington Post & Founding Member, National Association of Black Journalists
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September 27

The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) as the bedrock of U.S. trade and economic policies toward Africa

Guest Speaker:
Dr. Witney Schneidman, Former United States Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs
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September 13

Key issues in Africa’s Policy positions and practices toward the U.S.

Guest Speaker: 
Her Excellency Hilda Suka-Mafudze, African Union Ambassador to the USA 
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September 6

U.S. Strategy Toward Africa: From Development to Implementation

Guest Speaker:
Judd Devermont, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for African Affairs at the National Security Council