Africa: Ethiopia to Host Symposium on Humanitarian Interventions

By Peter Omondi

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia--To commemorate the 25th anniversary of the recording of “We are the World”, United Support of Artists for Africa (USA for Africa), in collaboration with Trust Africa, Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Humanitarian Action and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) will host a symposium entitled:

“Reflections on International Humanitarian Interventions in Africa” from 21-23 September 2010 at the United Nations Conference Centre in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

 The symposium seeks to stimulate a discourse on international humanitarian interventions in Africa among thinkers, practitioners and activists on the continent and beyond. It aims to engage participants in conversation and dialogue towards shaping a new paradigm for Africa.

Among other issues, participants will address the following: What have these interventions meant for the Continent? What implications or consequences have they had for the famine of ‘biblical proportions’ in the SAHEL, the tragedies in Darfur, the genocide in Rwanda, the scourge of racial discrimination and Apartheid? What is the significance of the ties felt by the Diaspora, both old and recent who often mobilize humanitarian assistance, for the future of Africa?