September 29, 2009. Challenges to U.S. Government Support for Media Development Featuring: Andrew Green, Author, Challenges to U.S. Government Support of Media Development. With comments by: Troy Etulain, U.S. Agency for International Development*, Mark Whitehouse, IREX. Moderated by: Marguerite Sullivan, Center for International Media Assistance.
Too few media experts, not enough technological know-how, and potentially problematic funding mechanisms are just a few of the challenges facing the media development sector, according to a report by Andrew Green. His Challenges to U.S. Government Support for Media Development looks at the causes of these impediments and offers recommendations for addressing them. The panel discussion will address and welcome comments from the audience.
12-2:00 p.m. (Lunch served 12:00–12:30 p.m.) Venue: The Center for International Media Assistance at the National Endowment for Democracy, 1025 F Street, N.W., Suite 800, Washington, DC 20004. RSVP (acceptances only) with name and affiliation by Friday, September 25 to CIMA@ned.org
September 29, 2009. Colombia: Peace, Reconciliation and Development. A Conversation with Frank Pearl, High Commissioner for Peace and High Counselor for Social and Economic Reintegration, Republic of Colombia.
Colombia, with U.S. assistance, has fought for more than a decade a high stakes battle for control of the country and its future against both left-wing guerilla and right-wing paramilitary groups that are largely financed through illegal drug trafficking. Colombia’s strategy under President Alvaro Uribe has taken a strong line in confronting the armed groups and drug traffickers, but has also emphasized the reintegration of demobilized former combatants, and social and economic development as cornerstones of a peace-building process. Colombia recently hosted the first International Congress on Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration, or DDR, which has become a critical ingredient in consolidating stability and building peace in countries emerging from conflict.
Frank Pearl, High Commissioner for Peace and High Counselor for Social and Economic Reintegration will discuss the steps Colombia is taking to reintegrate former combatants, gain widespread community support and involvement in the reintegration process, reduce extreme poverty and inequality, and create a more stable and peaceful Colombia. Colombia’s approach to DDR recognizes that its long-standing internal conflict cannot be solved through military means alone and holds promise as a model for other countries and regions of the world dealing with armed internal conflicts.
2:00pm – 3:30pm RSVP to attend this event Venue: Center for American Progress, 1333 H St. NW, 10th Floor, Washington, DC 20005 Map & Directions
September 29, 2009. 1 p.m. -Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission. hearing on “Human Rights on the Eve of the 60th Anniversary of the People’s Republic of China.” Speakers: Harry Wu, founder of Laogai Research Foundation; Wei Jingsheng, founder of the Wei Jingsheng Foundation; Ting Shum of the League of Chinese Victims; and officials from the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Office of International Affairs. Location TBA on Capitol Hill. Details: Elizabeth Hoffman, 202-225-3599, Elizabeth.Hoffman@mail.house.gov
October 1, 2009. What’s Next? Perspectives from Afghan Civil Society. A panel discussion sponsored by the Middle East Program of the Woodrow Wilson Center and The Institute for Inclusive Security with Mary Akrami, Afghan Women Skills Development Center; Orzala Ashraf, Humanitarian Assistance for the Women and Children of Afghanistan; Palwasha Hassan, International Center for Human Rights and Democratic Development.
This panel discussion will address the next steps following the recent presidential and provincial council elections in Afghanistan. Leading civil society leaders will discuss their efforts to promote democratic consolidation, strengthen rule of law, and sustain development. They also will reflect on ways the international community can more effectively collaborate with Afghan civil society as partners in building peace and security. 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. 5th floor Conference Room, Woodrow Wilson Center. RSVP to mep@wilsoncenter.org or fax 202-691-4184
October 1, 2009, 9:15 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. – “¿Que pasa, América Latina? Is our hemisphere moving forward, sliding backward or just stuck in the mud?”
Join Foreign Policy and the New America Foundation for a conversation with featured speakers Jorge Castañeda, Former Foreign Minister of Mexico, Professor, New York University, Senior New America Fellow and Moisés Naím Editor in Chief, Foreign Policy Magazine Former Minister of Industry and Trade of Venezuela. Moderator: Andrés Martinez, Director, Bernard Schwartz Fellows Program, New America Foundation, Former Editorial Page Editor, Los Angeles Times
RSVP here. Venue: New America Foundation, 1899 L St NW, 4th Floor, Washington, DC 20036
October 2, 2009. Rediscovering Multilateralism: Toward a Cooperative Approach to Middle East Reform. Project on Middle East Democracy (POMED) and the Friedrich-Ebert Foundation, in cooperation with the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, present a trialogue with the next generation.
In his address to the United Nations General Assembly, President Obama called for “a new era of engagement with the world” that seeks “a global response to global challenges.” At the same time, the President reaffirmed America’s commitment to supporting democracy. As with climate change and nuclear non-proliferation, multilateral institutions are an important part of the solution when it comes to advancing democratic reforms, particularly in the Middle East. But between theory and practice lie several important questions.
Next week, fifteen leaders from the United States, Europe and the Middle East will gather for an intensive workshop to explore existing multilateral frameworks including G8 BMENA, European Neighborhood Policy and the Middle East Partnership Initiative. The second in a two-part series, this event builds upon an earlier workshop on shared values and priorities for political reform, as participants now draft recommendations for improving and strengthening multilateral cooperation.
Join a luncheon discussion of their findings, with presentations from: Audra Grant, Political Scientist, RAND Corporation; Hanane Zelouani Idrissi, Assistant Program Officer for the Middle East & North Africa, National Endowment for Democracy; Almut Möller, Associate Fellow, Austrian Institute for European and Security Policy (AIES). Moderated by Andrew Albertson, Executive Director, POMED. 12:00-1:30 pm. Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars , 6th Floor Auditorium, One Woodrow Wilson Plaza, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20004. RSVP by clicking here or by email to: rsvp@pomed.org Lunch will be served at 11:45 am in the 6th floor Boardroom.
October 2nd, 2009, 6:00pm. – Reporters Without Borders / The Peter Mackler Award present “PETER MACKLER AWARD FOR COURAGEOUS AND ETHICAL JOURNALISM” Recipient: J. S. Tissainayagam. Keynote Speaker: Marcus Brauchli on the issue:”The role of the press in developing countries” National Press Club- 529 14th Street, N. W. Washington DC. Cocktail reception to follow with Silent Auction to benefit the Peter Mackler Award. RSVP at info@pmaward.org
October 7, 2009. Ten Years After the NATO Intervention: Challenges for an Independent Kosova. Speaker: Bujar Bukoshi, Member of Parliament, Kosova, Former Prime Minister of the Kosova Government-in-Exile. The Center for Transatlantic Relations, at the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University and the EU Center of Excellence Washington D.C.
2:00 – 3:30 PM. Room 500, 1717 Massachusetts Ave N.W., Washington, DC. RSVP to transatlanticRSVP@jhu.edu (Please put *October 7* in the subject line)
October 8th, 2009, 6:00pm.- Book discussion on “My Prison, My Home: One Woman’s Story of Captivity in Iran.”Author and Director of the Middle East Program, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars,author Haleh Esfandiari will hold a book discussion featuring Azar Nafisi, Author and Director of Cultural Conversations, SAIS/Johns Hopkins University, and Mahnaz Afkhami, Author and Director of Foundation for Iranian Studies And Women’s Learning Partnership (WLP). Venue: SAIS Nitze Building, Kenney Auditorium, 1740 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20036. A book signing will follow. RSVP to laustin@jhu.edu
October 5, 2009 – 5:30 pm. After the German Election 2009: Reflecting on Germany’s International Role. Organized by Washington Office of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation. Speaker: Rolf Muetzenich, Member of the German Parliament. Venue: Human Rights Campaign, 1640 Rhode Island Ave NW, Washington DC. Reception starts at 5:30 pm, the discussion at 6 pm. To RSVP e-mail fesdc@fesdc.org or call 202-408-5444.
Recent Comments