Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 18 February 2000 — Page 3

THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18,2000

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Summit aims for positive U.S. foreign policy towards Africa

' By LEONARD H. ROBINSON JR. (NNPA) — As the new era in Africa’s development moves forward, it is imperative that this progress be supported and assisted by meaningful and appropriate partnerships with other nations, especially the United States. The National Summit on Africa, established in 1997, is a privately funded, non- governmental organization headquartered in Washington, D.C. It is a growing nation-wide political policy movement — which has the potential to change and advance the relationship between the United States and the countries of Africa through enhanced, mutual respect, dignity and partnership. The summit’s mission and objectives were clear from the beginning: to actively involve all Americans and Africans residing in the U.S. in an unprecedented and historic public process to educate Americans about the continent of Africa and to produce a “national policy plan of action,” a blueprint, on what U.S. policy towards Africa should be in the 21st century. The summit’s motto is simple, yet, powerful in its thmst: it is that “Africa Matters!” And that it should consistently matter in the formulation and equitable application of U.S. foreign policy relative to requirements for humanitarian support, refugee relief and conflict resolution in situations like BosniaHerzegovina, Kosovo and East Timor. i The National Summit on Africa remains morally outraged by the double standard and inaction demonstrated by our policy makers during the 1994 holocaust in Rwanda and most recently in the Sierra Leone crisis. ' The establishment of the summit movement and process was essential. The American public and senior policymakers are fed a steady, persistent diet of distorted and inaccurate images about Africa. The continent is virtually ignored or ridiculed. The operative characterization: The glass is half empty ... not half full. As a result, members of Congress and policy makers are often reluctant to act favorably upon Africa related priorities. The dynamic also fuels the lack of public support for the continent. Since the end of the Cold War, overall official U.S. economic assistance to Africa has declined precipitously. Even Secretary of State Madeleine Albright has passionately denounced Congress’ decision to slash official U.S. assistance. The National Summit on Africa is determined to correct this state of affairs as it relates to Africa’s profile throughout America. In 1997 the National Summit on Africa commissioned a nation-wide survey of American attitudes about Africa. Among

COMMENTARY

the findings it was noted that while most Americans are woefully ignorant about Africa, over 70 percent of those surveyed wanted to know more about Africa. This was particularly true in the American public’s aspirations for their school-age children. And, when asked to name their most respected world leader, Americans overwhelmingly cited an African: Nelson Mandela. From May of last year through the end of September, the National Summit on Africa conducted a series of six regional summits on Africa and two policy forums. These events were held in Atlanta, Chicago, San Francisco, Boston, Baltimore, Denver, Los Angeles and Norman, Okla. Over 10,000 Americans and Africans participated. The summit’s deliberative process centered around five thematic issues: Peace and security; democracy and human rights; education and culture; sustainable development and economic development and trade. Six regional plans of action on U.S .-Africa foreign policy were developed. People representing the broad mosaic of American society aggressively participated. There were members from grass-roots organizations, corporations, academia and non-governmental organizations discuss, debating and above all, collaborating late into the night and the early morning. Their excitement and enthusiasm for the regional summit objectives never diminished. Students, housewives, clergy, doctors, lawyers and seasoned foreign services professionals found their common ground in forging policy to take us sanely and humanely into a era of mutually beneficial relations with Africa in the future. They are poised to become new and active advocates for the continent. And they invite you to feel the power of brooming a part of this critical mass. They represent the very cornerstone of political leverage on which the American political system functions. From Feb. 16 through 20 the National Summit on Africa is hosting the Dialogue and Celebration of Africa- Africa and America: Partners in the New Millennium. Thousands of participants from across the country are in Washington, to craft a national policy plan of action from the six regional policy plan recommendations created in the previous year. Following the publication of the plan, it will be distributed to every member of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, the White House, Department of State and the National Security Council. It will also be distributed to every state governor, most mayors throughout the country and to a cross-section of

civic social, religious, corporate, and volunteer groups throughout America. This plan will be the “people’s manifesto” and will be used to implement actions and policies for Africa at the national, state, municipal and private sector levels throughout our country. This month’s summit event will showcase Africa and Africans as never before in America. The intent is to produce a portrait of a proud continent and its people with a rich history and vibrant cultures. The National Summit on Africa will make a world of difference if—and only if— those of us, who know it’s the right thing to do, do the right thing. You can’t afford to sit this one out. Leonard H. Robinson Jr. is CEO of the National Summit on Africa. To find out how you can participate, call the National Summit on Africa at: 1-800-934-3418. Or visit the summit Web site at africasummit.org

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Black History Is America's History. In their day many in America questioned them. Today America honors one with a holida\ and the other with a stamp.

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