INTERNATIONAL
AFFAIRS POLICY COMMITTEE
COMMITTEES
- Agriculture
- Business, Finance, and Insurance
- Emergency Preparedness / Homeland Security
- Education
- Energy, Transportation, and Environment
- Gaming, Sports, and Entertainment
- Health and Human Services
- Housing
- International Affairs
- Labor, Military, and Veterans' Affairs
- Law, Justice, and Ethics
- Telecommunications, Science, and Technology
- Youth
TASK FORCES
| Chair: Sen. Donne Trotter (IL) 1st Vice Chair: Sen. Jackie Winters (OR) 2nd Vice Chair: Del. Nathaniel Oaks (MD)
|
MISSION STATEMENT
This committee considers policies which encourage foreign investment, such as trade agreements, and export-import promotion. It promotes participation of African Americans in the global economy. This committee seeks to 1) develop and strengthen relationships with nations and people of color in Africa and throughout the world by focusing on the exchange of educational culture, material business, and financial resources, and 2) develop broader foreign policy perspectives that will address human rights, economic development, health and environment, peace, and democracy primarily as they relate to Africa and the African Diaspora.
INTERNATIONAL TRADE & DEVELOPMENT
A Comprehensive Trade and Development Policy for the Countries
of Africa.
2nd Annual report of the United States Trade Rep. on Africa trade and
development. Released on February 20, 2004.
The primary goal of the Administration's trade and development policy
for the countries of Africa is to support sustainable economic development
in the region and to quicken the pace of that development, which would
boost U.S. trade and investment in Africa. In response to the economic
and democratic reforms implemented by many Sub-Saharan African nations
in recent years, the Administration seeks to accelerate the pace of development
by: 1) increasing trade flows between the United States and Sub-Saharan
Africa; 2) promoting economic reform as well as the development of the
private sector and infrastructure; 3) improving the investment climate;
and 4) strengthening efforts toward democratic governance.
Why Do Business With Africa:
A workshop that looks at the numbers: 700 million consumers of $99 billion
in products (1995); 30 to 35% on investments; world’s most profitable
markets for US & international corporations; global competition today
& tomorrow. To participate in the workshop, e-mail: sales@jmilton-assoc.com
or johnm@jmilton-assoc.com
Africa-business.com:
Includes information, news, reports and analysis on the business scenario
in Africa. Comprehensive listing of products and services that are currently
in demand in the emerging markets of Africa. Promote your products and
services in African countries through this unique business promotion platform.
http://www.africa-business.com/index.html
Africa’s Economic Growth Source:
U.S. Dept. of Commerce, Bureau of Census
Many Sub-Saharan African economies are continuing to make impressive economic
gains after decades of sluggish growth. World Bank economists expected
12 countries to have attained growth of 4 percent or better in 2003. Average
per capita income rose for a fourth successive year – the longest
sustained increase in more than 20 years. Despite civil strife in some
countries, drought in the horn of Africa, stagnating or declining
movements in some commodity prices, and the negative effects of the HIV/AIDS
pandemic, the region’s performance remained strong under the adversities
and ultimately held steady. West Africa has become an energy hot spot,
with numerous offshore exploration and development projects underway from
traditional locations spanning from Angola to the Gulf of Guinea, and
extending to nontraditional energy producers such as São Tomé
and Príncipe and Mauritania.
Sub-Saharan Africa’s economic growth remained steady in 2003
at 2.8 percent, with no change from 2002. The growth rate fell between
the 2 percent experienced by the world in 2003 and the 4 percent registered
by developing countries. In addition, 2003 marked the third consecutive
year that Sub-Saharan Africa surpassed average global growth rates and
the second consecutive year that it lagged behind the pace of developing
countries as a group. Other factors that affected Africa’s stagnant
growth rates include the severe drought in Ethiopia, Eritrea and parts
of Sudan and the conflict and civil strife in Zimbabwe, Côte d’Ivoire,
the Gambia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. In spite of the high
price of cocoa, and the upsurge in global production, Côte d’Ivoire
has not been able to take full advantage of this upswing because of the
continuing political unrest in the country. Furthermore, the HIV/AIDS
crisis continues to take its toll on Sub-Saharan Africa with
unfortunate macroeconomic consequences on these economies.
Two-way trade between the United States and Sub-Saharan Africa rose in 2003, as both exports and imports increased. Two-way trade increased 36 percent from a year earlier to just under $33 billion. U.S. exports rose 14.4 percent to almost $7 billion, due to increased sales of aircraft, vehicles, and computer and telecommunications equipment. U.S. imports rose 43.3 percent from 2002 to $25.6 billion, due to increased demand for crude oil, platinum, and diamonds. Trade between the United States and Sub-Saharan Africa is highly concentrated, with a small number of African countries accounting for an overwhelming share of the total for both imports and exports.
Sub-Saharan Africa’s total merchandise imports increased over
6 percent in 2002 (the latest year available), to $92.7 billion. South
Africa and Nigeria accounted for more than 42 percent of Sub-Saharan Africa’s
total imports. In 2002, South African imports increased more than 3 percent
to $26.7 billion, reversing a 2 percent decline in 2001. Nigeria’s
imports were $12.5 billion, an 8 percent increase from a year earlier,
and a 40 percent increase in two years, spurred by higher revenues from
crude oil exports. Sub-Saharan Africa’s total merchandise exports
were $89.9 billion in 2002, a 3.6 percent increase from 2001. Increases
in imports, however, outpaced increases in exports causing the region’s
trade deficit to increase.
Facts-at-a-Glance:
• U.S. exports to Ethiopia, Equatorial Guinea, and Eritrea increased significantly in 2003. These increases more than offset continued declines in exports to Namibia, Chad, Guinea, Cameroon, and Kenya.
• U.S. imports from a majority of Sub-Saharan African countries increased in 2003, including large increases in imports from Nigeria, Angola, and South Africa. These increases more than offset any country-specific declines such as those from Botswana, Seychelles, and Zimbabwe.
• Most of the 2003 gains in U.S. imports from the region were from AGOA-eligible countries. African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) imports increased by 54 percent, to just over $14 billion. This figure includes duty-free imports from AGOAeligible countries under both the pre-existing U.S. Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) and the expanded AGOA GSP, plus textile and apparel imported duty-free and quota-free under AGOA provisions. more info >
• AGOA accounted for 55 percent of total imports from the region
in 2003. Eighty
percent of AGOA imports were petroleum products. With these fuel products
excluded, AGOA imports were slightly less than $3 billion. more
info >
U.S. Direct Investment in Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa continues to trail other regions in attracting foreign
direct investment (FDI). According to the United Nations World Investment
Report of 2003, inflows of FDI to Sub-Saharan Africa from all sources
in 2002 were $8.1 billion which represented a 41 percent decline from
2001 inflows of $13.9 billion. Much of this decline was due to the absence
of a stock swap involving two conglomerates with major holdings in South
Africa which took place in 2001 and caused a surge in FDI inflows for
that year. If FDI inflows to South Africa are excluded for 2001, FDI inflows
in 2002 actually increased by 8 percent.
more info >
FDI inflows to the least developed countries (LDCs) of Africa declined by 3 percent in 2002, which was in line with a 7 percent decline in FDI inflows to LDCs worldwide. The overall regional decline in FDI inflows reflects the decrease in outflows to Sub-Saharan Africa from the three major providers of FDI to Sub-Saharan Africa, the United States, France, and the United Kingdom. FDI inflows to Sub-Saharan Africa represented 1.2 percent of worldwide FDI inflows in 2002 and 5 percent of inflows to developing countries.
The largest recipients of global FDI inflows included Angola and Nigeria
each with $1.3 billion, Chad with $901 million, South Africa with $754
million, and Sudan with $681 million. The FDI inflows to these countries
were concentrated in the petroleum sector, except for South Africa where
the inflows were concentrated in the manufacturing sector.
FDI inflows to almost all of these countries declined, reflecting the overall decline for the region. Only in Chad did FDI inflows increase, starting from virtually zero in 2001, due to investment in the Chad-Cameroon pipeline. According to the World Investment Report of 2003 FDI flows to Africa will likely increase due to expanded exploration and extraction in the petroleum sector, continuation in privatization programs, and improved prospects under AGOA.
US/Africa Trade Policies:
AGOA Acceleration Act of 2004 (AGOA III) Summary:
1) Extends overall the program from 2008 until 2015.
2) Extends third country fabric provision for three years, from September 2004 until September 2007, including a phase down in year three. The cap would remain at the full current level available in years one and two. In the third year, the cap would be phased down by 50 percent.
3) Includes a statement of Congressional policy that textile and apparel provisions under the program should be interpreted in a broad and trade-expanding manner to maximize opportunities for imports from Africa, accompanied by minor technical corrections to reverse restrictive interpretations by Customs officials. These minor technical corrections include a modification to the rule of origin to allow articles assembled either in the United States or Sub-Saharan Africa to qualify for AGOA treatment (hybrid).
4) Expands current eligibility to allow non-AGOA produced collars, cuffs, drawstrings, padding/shoulder pads, waistbands, belts attached to garments, straps with elastic, and elbow patches for all import categories to be eligible. Also included is the continued use of fabric from AGOA countries that also become free trade partners with the United States.
5) Increases the De Minimis Rule from its current level of seven percent to 10 percent. This rule states that apparel products assembled in Sub-Saharan Africa which would otherwise be considered eligible for AGOA benefits but for the presence of some fibers or yarns not wholly formed in the United States or the beneficiary Sub-Saharan African country will still be eligible for benefits as long as the total weight of all such fibers and yarns is not more than a certain percent (currently seven percent) of the total weight of the article.
6) Includes findings and statements of policy about the benefits of AGOA to Africa and supporting various Sub-Saharan Africans efforts such as reducing poverty, promoting peace, attracting investment and trade, and fighting HIV-AIDS.
7) Provides a Sense of the Congress that Africans should support WTO negotiations and trade liberalization.
8) Expands the current "folklore" AGOA coverage to include certain machine-made ethnic printed fabric made in Sub-Saharan Africa or the United States.
9) Encourages bilateral investment agreements.
10) Directs the Administration to implement an interagency trade advisory committee.
11) Encourages the development of infrastructure projects that increase trade capacity through the ecotourism industry.
12) Directs the President to assign personnel for the purpose of providing agricultural technical assistance to select AGOA countries and advising them on improvements in their sanitary and phytosanitary standards to help them meet U.S. requirements.
13) Promotes investment in infrastructure projects that support the development of land transport, roads, railways, ports, the expansion of modern information and communication technologies, and agriculture.
14) Facilitates increased coordination between customs services at ports and airports in the United States and Sub-Saharan countries to reduce time in transit and increase efficiency and safety procedures.
For more information about the AGOA III Legislation, visit the website
at http://www.agoa.gov/
STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMS
International Technical Assistance Center – Collegiate Ambassadors Program (proposed name)
In 2000, NBCSL began an exciting global venture. Vice President Milagros Ortiz Bosch of the Dominican Republic in her capacity as Secretary of Education of the Dominican Republic signed an agreement with NBCSL to establish the NBCSL International Technical Assistance Center (ITAC) in Santo Domingo. The agreement provided minority students an opportunity to study abroad and engage in community service learning programs with Dominican government agencies and non-governmental organizations.
• The ITAC Collegiate Ambassadors Program supports students, faculty and administration by facilitating the participation of students from all backgrounds interested in enrolling in courses and partaking in internships in the Dominican Republic. The main objective of ITAC is to develop, place and prepare talented minority youth for leadership in business, government, education, culture, and science and technology.
• For registration in the NBCSL Collegiate Ambassadors Program, contact Ms. Abeo F. Anderson, ITAC coordinator, at 202.624.54547 ext. 8823.
Top 10 Reasons for African American Students to Go Abroad
*
“Now is the time to go: With the internationalization of the American
economy, it is imperative that African American students acquire more
knowledge of and sensitivity to global issues. This knowledge and experience
will enable them to participate fully in a future workforce that will
be ethnically and culturally diverse.”—Starlett R. Craig
Starlett R. Craig is the Director of Pre-College Enrichment Programs at
Clemson University and serves as the national chair of Black and Multicultural
Professionals in International Education.
1. Expand employment opportunities. According to the
Spring 1998 edition of the Black Collegian, www.black-collegian.com, which
highlights job opportunities for the class of 1998, the job outlook reflects
the growing importance of internationalization. The top 10 employers are
seeking graduates who can think critically and also have a global perspective.
2. Increase your understanding of the world and our society.
We can no longer afford to rely on CNN to tell us what we should know
about the world. Changing demographics in the U.S. dictate that we must
not only acquire a global competence but we must develop an understanding
and an appreciation of diversity in our own country. While study abroad
can be a vital link to global competence, it is also an integral part
of multicultural competence.
3. Broaden your experience. Travel outside the U.S. is
an education in itself.
4. Meet people from different backgrounds and cultures.
A period of study outside the U.S. enables you to meet students not only
from the host country but other nations as well. It is an opportunity
to forge international friendships, understand cultural differences, and
get rid of old stereotypes.
5. Increase your income potential. Study abroad on your
resume definitely gives you a competitive edge. Black Enterprise recently
highlighted the importance of the African American presence in the global
marketplace and the numerous career and business options for African Americans
who set their sights on the big emerging markets (BEMs).
6. Explore new interests. One student went to Mexico
to learn the language and have fun. In addition to a Spanish course, she
enrolled in modern dance and ballet. At the end of the day, the professor
suggested she remain in Mexico and join his dance troupe. After graduating,
she opted to continue to see the world and signed up for Bunac’s
Work in Britain program.
7. Learn specific skills that are career related. Learn
a second language or do an international internship.
8. Gain new insights and outlooks while enjoying new
relationships. By living in the country, you get an insider’s perspective
on the social and political structure of your host country.
9. Take control of your future. While the debate still
continues on the preservation of affirmative action, you will be in a
position to compete and fully participate in a global, ethnically diverse
workforce.
10. Find out what you want to do in life. While taking
a semester off from your regular studies may seem a luxury, it is indeed
a wonderful opportunity to redefine your career aspirations in the context
of your new self-awareness and newly acquired skills. Many students report
that study abroad can be a life-changing experience that can also open
many new career choices.
*Source: “Top 10 Reasons for African American Students to Go Abroad,”
by Starlett R. Craig. Transitions Abroad. July/August 1998.
For more information about why African Americans should study abroad and
broaden their awareness of the impact of the global arena, http://www.transitionsabroad.com/listings/study/articles/studyjul1.shtml
Study Abroad Programs
Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) helps people gain understanding, acquire knowledge, and develop skills for living in a globally interdependent and culturally diverse world. http://www.ciee.org/index.cfm
Education First (EF) Tours, since 1965, has brought global education into the classroom experience and enhanced academic learning. EF Tours offers the resources and the dedication needed to organize student tours that are as safe, smooth and educational. Offering teachers continuing education credits and students school credits, EF travel programs are designed to bring lesson plans to life, to break down barriers of culture and language, and to instill in students and teachers a fresh global perspective. http://www.eftours.com/public/home.asp
EF has provided tours for more than three million people to experience other countries in 200 destinations in the US and throughout the world. For a listing of tour destinations and itineraries, click on the following EF Tour search engine: http://www.eftours.com/public/browse/browse.asp
Fogarty International Center's Minority International Research
Training (MIRT) Grant sends minority students abroad, accompanied
by U.S. college faculty, with full funding to do health-related research
worldwide. For more information, contact: Fogarty International Center,
MIRT, National Institutes of Health, www.fic.nih.gov.
National Security Education Program (NSEP) funds undergraduates
and graduate students to study in less-frequented regions, often in less-developed
countries. Students of color are encouraged to apply. Contact: NSEP, Institute
of International Education, www.iie.org/nsep
The People to People Student Ambassador Program provides
opportunities for grade school, junior high and senior high students to
explore domestic and foreign destinations, learning about the history,
government, economy and culture of the areas they visit. President Dwight
D. Eisenhower founded People to People during his administration, and
eight U.S. presidents have since served as Honorary Chairman. People to
People Student Ambassadors travel overseas for two to three weeks during
the summer to learn, share, and represent their communities and schools.
http://www.studentambassadors.org/.
To apply to the People to People Student Ambassadors Program, contact
at: Dwight D. Eisenhower Building, 110 S. Ferrall Street, Spokane, Washington
USA 99202-4800 Phone: (509) 534-0430, Fax: (509) 534-5245
Transitions Abroad offers a listing of employment and
scholarship resources, guides and advice on how to participate in study
abroad programs and make the most of your international experience. With
featured articles and testimonials from travelers and academics, Transitions
Abroad shares knowledge and experiences from others to assist students,
faculty, and administration in implementing successful study abroad programs.
Click on the following link for advice on how to plan for your next travel
experiences. http://www.transitionsabroad.com/listings/study/index.shtml#StudyAbroadAdvisor
Rotary International Foundation offers Ambassadorial
Scholarships to undergraduates and graduates interested in studying abroad.
For more information available from: The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International,
1 Rotary Center, 1560 Sherman Ave., Evanston, IL 60201-3698; Phone: (847)
866-3000, Fax: (847) 328-8554. Applications possible only through local
Rotary clubs. Deadlines to apply for awards are between March and July.
(Candidates must apply over a year in advance). www.rotary.org
“Global Study: A World Of Possibilities” by James Buschman,
Ph.D.
Is study abroad for you? The answer for an increasing number of collegians
is an enthusiastic "Yes!" But what is it? And how does it work?
The following information will give you an idea.
http://www.black-collegian.com/globalstudy/globalstudy.shtml
Gender Inequality & the 2001 UN Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS
The HIV/AIDS epidemic remains extremely dynamic, growing and changing
character as the virus exploits new opportunities for transmission. In
the 2001 UN Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS, leaders recognized
that gender inequality is fuelling the epidemic. Girls and young women
are at greatest risk. As of December 2003, women accounted for nearly
50% of all people living with HIV worldwide, and for 57% in sub-Saharan
Africa. Young people (15–24 years old) account for half of all new
HIV infections worldwide; more than 6000 contract the virus each day.
In the Declaration, governments pledged to create multisectoral strategies
to reduce girl’s and women’s vulnerabilities. Its 2003–2005
benchmarks include:
• Addressing the epidemic’s gender dimensions (article 37);
• Accelerating national strategies that promote women’s advancement
and their full enjoyment of all human rights; the sharing of responsibility
by men and women to ensure safer sexual behaviour and empowering women
to make decisions about their sexuality and protect themselves from HIV
(article 59);
• Eliminating discrimination against women, including violence against
women, harmful traditional practices, trafficking and sexual exploitation
(articles 61–2);
• Reducing mother-to-child HIV transmission by increasing women’s
access to antenatal care, information, counselling and testing, other
prevention services, and treatment (article 54); and
• Reviewing the epidemic’s social and economic impact, especially
on women in their role as caregivers (article 68).
The 2001 UN Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS envisions major progress
in delivering comprehensive care services by 2005. However, only minimal
coverage has been achieved for care and treatment of HIV-related diseases.
Current prevention efforts in most low- and middle-income countries come
nowhere near the scale of the epidemic. Achieving the 2005 targets will
require urgent, innovative and expanded efforts to strengthen and accelerate
the response.
For the complete UN Declaration, go to: http://www.un.org/ga/aids/coverage/FinalDeclarationHIVAIDS.html
The Global Coalition on Women and AIDS is a new initiative,
a movement of people, networks and organizations supported by activists,
leaders, government Rep.s, community workers and celebrities, to raise
the visibility of issues related to women, girls and AIDS and lead to
concrete, measurable improvements in the lives of women and girls. For
more information: http://womenandaids.unaids.org/
“2005 Comprehensive Report on U.S. Trade and Investment Policy toward
Sub-Saharan Africa and the Implementation of the African Growth and Opportunity
Act” Office of the U.S. Trade Rep., May 2005. download
PDF.
The HIV/AIDS Pandemic could seriously affect efforts to strengthen the U.S.-sub-Saharan Africa trade and investment relationship. President Bush has pledged $15 billion towards the fight against HIV/AIDS over the next five years.
Impediment to Growth in Africa – The HIV/AIDS PandemicSub-Saharan Africa faces an enormous challenge due to the HIV/AIDS pandemic, with the devastating potential to wreak havoc on the region’s development and socioeconomic structure. More than 20 million Africans have died from the disease, leaving behind a heart wrenching 12 million orphans. (http://www.unaids.org/)
• In Sub-Saharan Africa, there are 25 to 28.2 million adults and children living with HIV/AIDS, and Southern Africa is the hardest hit with infection rates reaching almost as high as 40 percent in Botswana and Swaziland.
• Approximately 71 percent of the world’s HIV positive population lives in Sub-Saharan Africa.
• HIV/AIDS has decreased average life expectancy in Sub-Saharan Africa from 50 years in 1990 to 46 years in 2001.
• While AIDS killed approximately 2.3 million Sub-Saharan Africans in 2003, 3.2 million people in this region became infected during that same year. If looking at numbers alone, the overall prevalence appears to have remained steady; however, the reality is that the figures disguise the fact that the high number of annual, new HIV infections match the equally high number of deaths from AIDS.
• The HIV/AIDS pandemic is equally devastating on the region’s economy with studies estimating a 1.7 percent a year decline in income from 1990 to 2000 – a figure more telling than trends in GDP.2 HIV prevalence rates vary widely across the continent. They range from less than 1 percent in Mauritania to almost 40 percent in countries in southern Africa. Most startling are the rates among pregnant women at close to 16 percent in Malawi, 18 percent in Mozambique, 20 percent in Zambia, and exceeding 30 percent in South Africa’s Gauteng province in 2002. African women are 1.2 times more likely of being infected with HIV than men, and among women between the ages of 15 and 24 they are 2.5 times as likely to be infected with HIV as compared to their male counterparts.
While southern Africa suffers the heaviest from HIV prevalence, East Africa’s rate is declining. In 2002, the rate decreased to 8 percent in the capital of Uganda. The rate among HIV-positive pregnant women fell to 13 percent in Kigali, Rwanda in 2003 compared to a high of 35 percent in 1993. Moreover, the HIV rate among pregnant women from 15 to 24 years old fell to 11 percent in 2003 from a high of 24 percent in 1995. The picture in West Africa is equally encouraging with infection rates in Senegal holding steady at 1 percent among pregnant women in 2002. Adult HIV prevalence levels are also low in Mali, the Gambia, Mauritania and Niger with rates at 2 percent or lower. Côte d’Ivoire suffers from the highest rates in West Africa, with HIV- infected pregnant women at 7 percent in Abidjan. 3
On a positive note, awareness of the pandemic is increasing in the region through both African government and international support. Botswana, Cameroon, Eritrea, Nigeria and Uganda have made concerted efforts to augment access to antiretroviral drugs through both the public and private sectors. Many countries are adopting stronger policy initiatives and allocating increased budgetary funding to fight the crisis. These are all necessary steps towards fighting and eradicating this epidemic.
2 IMF Finance and Development - March 2004
3 UNAIDS/WHO AIDS Epidemic Update: December 2003
NBCSL SUPPORTS A STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP WITH AFRICAN IMMIGRANTS AND REFUGEES
Africa is a rich continent with vast mineral resources including oil, diamonds, gold, uranium, among many others. However, this natural wealth of Africa does not enrich its inhabitants but has instead become a curse, attracting unscrupulous African dictators, weapon manufacturers from industrialized nations and business entities that plunder and exploit local African communities. Genocide, civil insurrections and civil wars run rampant in Africa and force African refugees to flee to the United States, where many end up residing without refugee status or permanent residence status.
NBCSL in concert with other African human rights activists have developed several recommendations to ensure equal protection of all members of the human family, especially African refugees and immigrants who have escaped death and now seek a better life in America. Read Resolution 04-31 -- Resolution Supporting a Strategic Partnership with African Immigrants and Refugees supporting a strategic partnership with African Immigrants and refuges.
• The African Immigrant and Refugee
Resource Center aims to successfully resettle and integrate African
and non-African refugees, immigrants, asylum seekers and low-income individuals
in the USA by providing comprehensive support services including cultural
orientation, counseling, crisis intervention, English language skills,
citizenship, translation, immigration, and legal aid and referral services.
http://www.ncccsf.org/airrc/index.htm
SERVICES: Clients at the African Immigrant and Refugee Resource Center
come from a wide variety of backgrounds. Some come to the United States
as refugees escaping wars; others are political asylum seekers fleeing
from oppressive political regimes; still others immigrate to the United
States seeking a better life for themselves and their families. For excerpts
from some of our recent clients' stories, http://www.ncccsf.org/airrc/clients.htm.
CONTACT INFORMATION: 942 Market Street, Suite 305, San Francisco CA 94102.
Telephone: (415) 433-7300, Fax: (415) 433-7308, airrc@pacbell.net
INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS RESOLUTIONS AND LEGISLATION
The National Black Caucus of State Legislators is a strong advocate for the human rights of all nations and has adopted several resolutions pertaining to international affairs. For more information or to read NBCSL’s international policy resolutions, click here. (LINK to all the recent international resolutions and related info)
TransAfrica Forum is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating the general public – particularly African Americans – on the economic, political and moral ramifications of U.S. foreign policy as it affects Africa and the Diaspora in the Caribbean and Latin America. TransAfrica Forum serves as a major research, educational, and organizing institution for the African-American community. Acting in concert with likeminded organizations and individuals, TransAfrica sponsors seminars, conferences, community awareness projects, and training programs that promote U.S. policies that are supportive of human rights, democracy, and sustainable economic development. www.transafricaforum.org
If you would like to get involved in NBCSL’s efforts to support equal protection of African immigrants and refugees, contact Abeo F. Anderson at the NBCSL office at 202.624.5457 or contact NBCSL Committee on International Affairs Chair, Rep. LeAnna M. Washington (PA) at 215.242.0472.
THE AFRICAN DIASPORA: GLOBAL NEWS REPORTS
NBCSL legislators are committed to educating the public about current global policy issues and reforms in nations with people of African descent. The common struggle for civil rights, better health, and better education among people of color can only be won by an informed and conscious constituency. Below are some site links to critical articles that will empower you with information about the world in which we live.
• “Nigeria to Earn $100m From Grain Supply to Chad.” October 1, 2004. http://allafrica.com/stories/200410010647.html
• “Mozambique: HIV/Aids Threatening Subsistence Agriculture.”
UN Integrated Regional Information Networks, August 24, 2004. http://allafrica.com/stories/200408240991.html
• “US-Africa business summit opens.” BBC News online.
Delegates from more than 30 African countries have gathered in the American
city of Philadelphia for a business summit aimed at increasing trade and
investment between the United States and Africa. October 31, 2001. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/1629860.stm
• “The Changing Face of Africa.” Sweeping economic
reforms in many African countries have turned the world's attention towards
Africa as conditions in many African countries are beginning to become
more conducive to business development. Positive moves and policies adopted
by many African governments have played a significant role in promoting
Africa as a viable business partner in the global market.
http://www.africa-business.com/features/changing.html