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Policy Advocacy with TransAfrica Forum

Policy Advocacy with TransAfrica Forum. Hepburn Center Internship Summer 2009 Ntshadi Mofokeng ‘12. About TransAfrica Forum. Founding principle

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Policy Advocacy with TransAfrica Forum

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  1. Policy Advocacy with TransAfrica Forum Hepburn Center Internship Summer 2009 Ntshadi Mofokeng ‘12

  2. About TransAfrica Forum Founding principle “We believe the success of Afro-Americans is bound up with the emancipation of all African peoples and also other dependent peoples and laboring classes everywhere…” - excerpt, Declaration of the 5th Pan-African Congress (1945)

  3. A Quick History • Established by the Congressional Black Caucus in September 1976 as a private advocacy group • Incorporated July 1st, 1977 in Washington DC, with Randall Robinson as Executive Director • Early work was in southern Africa and Haiti • Orchestrated crucial protests during the 1970s and 1980s outside the South African Embassy in Washington DC which led to high profile arrests including Rosa Parks’

  4. Organizational Setup • Seven person full-time staff • Department Breakdown • Communications • Legal • Public Affairs • Public Outreach • Specialization by region: Africa, the Caribbean and Afro-Latin America

  5. Imani Countess, Senior Director of Public Affairs Key task: shaping TAF’s policy positions Representing TAF at conferences and visiting topical countries Mwiza Munthali, Public Outreach Director Key task: implementing public outreach activities Runs the Arthur Ashe Foreign Policy Library Hosts AfricaNow weekly radio show Mentors

  6. Hot Issues • Africom - militarization of aid • Vulture Funds - exploitation of highly indebted poor countries • President Obama’s Trip to Ghana - opportunity to reshape foreign policy • Effects of Global Financial Crisis - failure of US economic policy punted through the IMF’s recommendations

  7. Events: Cabral/Truth Circle • Topic: Africom and the Militarization of Africa • Model for public education • Short film presentation • Book reading • Case study • Expert panel • Audience participation

  8. Event: Film Festivals • DC Caribbean Film Festival • African Diaspora Film Festival • Model for collaboration: • Interest groups • Partners with experience • Accessible sites

  9. Event: Poetry and Protest • Day of the African Child 16 June • Model for cross-cultural engagement • Providing historical context • Honoring Dennis Brutus, South African poet • Inviting local poets • Hosting Comrade Fatso, Zimbabwean poet

  10. Focus on President Obama’s Trip to Ghana • Weekly/Bi-Weekly Meetings • Produced Briefing Book and Sign-On Letter • Model for forming a coalition • Emphasizing general principles • Building up support

  11. Writing: Policy Briefs • Piracy in Somalia • Change in Zimbabwe • Format • Issue • History • Previous policy • Policy recommendations • Call for progressive US Foreign Policy

  12. Take-Home Message • TransAfrica Forum is a very robust advocacy organization • The staff are supportive of interns and encourage individual development • Many opportunities to initiate ideas, gain experience and interact with a variety of organizations

  13. Overall, a very fulfilling experience Some of the 2009 Summer Interns

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