FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ann-Louise Colgan (202) 546-7961

Africa Action hosts African Civil Society Leaders for
2nd Annual Baraza & Speaking Tour;
Keynote addresses from Baraza now available on Africa Action’s website

Tuesday, December 7, 2004 (Washington, DC) - Africa Action held its
second annual Baraza in Washington, DC at the weekend, bringing leading
analysts and activists from the U.S. and Africa together for two days of
discussion on key trends and issues U.S. Africa policy. Following the
Baraza, Africa Action staff traveled to Atlanta and New York city with
leading civil society leaders from Africa for a range of media and
community events focused on analyzing the current state of U.S. policy
toward Africa.

Africa Action’s annual Baraza (Kiswahili for "Assembly") is an
invitation-only event, bringing together 60 leading analysts and
activists from across the U.S. and from Africa for two days of strategic
discussion on U.S. Africa policy. At this forum, participants discuss
and debate some of the most important developments and trends in Africa
and in U.S. Africa policy. This year’s theme was "The U.S. & Africa:
Questions that Need Answers."

Africa Action brought four leading African activists to the U.S. for the
Baraza and tour, representing civil society organizations from across
the continent:

* Rev. Dr. Molefe Tsele, General Secretary of the South African Council
of Churches (SACC).
* Matilda Moyo from the Steering Committee of the Pan African Treatment
Access Movement (PATAM), the continent-wide network advocating for
access to essential medicines for all people living with HIV/AIDS;
* Rt. Rev. Peter Njenga, retired Anglican Bishop of Kenya and long-time
advocate for social and economic justice in Kenya and throughout Africa.
* Muthoni Wanyeki, Executive Director of the African Women's Development
and Communication Network (FEMNET), a continent-wide network based in
Kenya.

Highlights of the Baraza included:

* Keynote addresses analyzing the state of Africa, by Muthoni Wanyeki of
FEMNET, and the state of U.S. Africa policy, by Ann-Louise Colgan of
Africa Action, both now available on Africa Action’s website at
http://www.africaaction.org/ [2]
* Panels on "The Answer to AIDS", "Who You Gonna Call when Intervention
is Necessary?" and plenaries on "Africa in the U.S. Media" and "How to
Influence U.S. Foreign Policy", among others.
* Presentation on "Ownership, Diversity & Race: Confronting
(Mis)Representations of Africa in the U.S. Media" by Hugh Hamilton, WBAI
Radio Host, now available in the ‘Newsroom’ section of Africa Action’s
website

Highlights of the Tour in New York and Atlanta included:

* Speaking engagements at prominent churches in each city; meetings with
key religious leaders
* Local media events in New York and Atlanta featuring African guests
and Africa Action staff
* Events at Clark Atlanta University and Columbia University in New York
City on U.S. Africa relations