The New Beginning Initiative

Africa at 50: Challenges and Opportunities

Saturday, August 21, 2010 from 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM (ET)
Washington, DC
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Event Details
Dear Friends and Colleagues in Peace, and in African Economic and Social Development:

As indicated in our recent communications with you, please be reminded of this important first
Round Table event. We will discuss matters of human development, cultural exchange, peace
and reconciliation, and investment and commercial opportunity. The New Beginning Initiative is
dedicated, in part, to the discovery of expanded roles for Diasporans of good spirit in the
economic and social development of the peoples of the African Union. Founded on an emerging
Peace-based, Diasporan-led approach to the development of a methodology for systems thinking
in African economic and social development, we dedicate this work “…in the interest of our
children, and our children’s children”. Please join us.
Respectfully, and in Peace,

The New Beginning Initiative Team

Melvin Hardy (Caribbean/USA), Israel Chidi Agwamba (Nigeria/USA), Jean Dowd (USA),
Evangeline Kirgua (Kenya/USA), Sheila Jones (USA), Sylvie Bello (Cameroon/USA), Ezi
Mecha (Nigeria/USA), Jack Gaines (USA), Joe Wynn (USA), and Tamiru Degefa
(Ethiopia/USA)
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“AFRICA AT 50: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES”

Précis: African Development Round Table Discussion

August 21, 2010 from 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Ethiopian Embassy, Washington, DC, USA
Agenda appears below
Dear Friends and Colleagues in African Economic and Social Development,

With both respect and humility, your presence is requested at this first of a series of Round Table
discussions on the economic and social development of the peoples of the African Union. The
New Beginning Initiative (NBI) fosters a Diasporan-led, Peace-based approach to Systems
Strategy on African development.

Following on our inaugural New Beginning Initiative (NBI) meetings in Addis Ababa in
January, 2010, the NBI will hold its first of a series of Round Table discussions in the United
States, at the Ethiopian Embassy, in Washington, DC, on August 21st, 2010, from 8:30 AM to
1:00 PM. The Ethiopian Embassy is located at 3605 International Drive, Washington, DC,
20008.

As many African countries celebrate their 50th year of independence from colonial rule, many
Africans and Africans in the Diaspora world-wide are taking stock of this socio-economic
milestone and ask the questions: Where do the peoples of the African continent go from here?
How do we accommodate those many African Diasporans of good spirit world-wide in the
economic and social development of homeland? How do we elevate the primacy of peace-based
approaches to development? What are the new “systems thinking” approaches to the “Challenges
and Opportunities of Africa at 50? How do we engage with those respected leaders and influence
centers in the existing African development and philanthropy infrastructure? How do we catalyze
and accelerate the pace of “appropriate” economic and social development in the interest of the
peoples of the African Union; “in the interest of our children, and our children’s children?”

Such are questions that undergird the critical thinking at the center of the Round Table
Discussions of the NBI. This first Round Table, with the participation of you as Diplomats,
philanthropists, business leaders, intellectuals, politicians, and religious leaders, will augur a
series of such Round Tables at other African Embassies over the coming months. Expected
outcomes are new contributions to development theory, expanded participation by African
Diasporans, and appropriate relationships developed with the peoples of the African Union.
Reflecting on the past and seeking solutions for the future, you participants in the discussions
would assist in aggregating information, imparting knowledge, and providing the expertise
required for the measurable, incremental growth in economic and social development of the
continent based on strategies for reconciliation and peaceful co-existence. Such is the value
proposition of the NBI’s emerging methodology on a peace-based approach to national and
community economic and social development. We fully acknowledge and respect the precedents
set by you, your colleagues’, and your organization’s work in the field.

Hosted in this first instance at the Ethiopian Embassy, it is scheduled that other embassies will
join to host the Round Tables at their respective embassies. We invite your continued
participation.

“AGENDA: AFRICA AT 50: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES”

1. 8:30 -- 8:50 AM Registration
2. 9:00 -- 9:05 AM Welcome address, Mr. Tesfaye Yilma, Charge d’ Affaires,
Embassy of Ethiopia,
3. 9:05 -- 9:20 AM Andrew Lawrence, “The Role of Ethiopia in the Pan-African
Movement”,
4. 9:30 -- 9:50 AM Dr. Michal Mereed, Economic Advisor to the Prime
Minister of the EFDRE, “Trends of Ethiopia's Social
and Economic Transformation”,
5. 9:50 -- 10:15 AM Rev. Dr. Jack Gaines,” Peace and Reconciliation in Africa”,
6. 10:15 -- 10:40 AM Roy McPherson, “Africa and the Caribbean, Bridging the Gap”
7. 10:40 -- 10:55 AM Tea Break
8. 11:00 -- 11:25 AM Dr. Sharon Freeman, “African Development and the African
Diaspora”,
9. 11:25 -- 11:50 AM Mr. Andrew Sherman, "The Road Rules" of Navigating the
Business of African Development
10. 11:50 -- 12:30 PM Discussion
11. 12:30 -- 1:00 PM Book Signings and Networking: Dr. Jack Gaines: "My
Brother's Keeper, Not My Brother's Killer"; Professor Andrew
Sherman, "Road Rules"; Dr. Sharon Freeman, "Africa, China, and
the African Diaspora"
12. 1:00 PM Adjourn

When
Saturday, August 21, 2010 from 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM (ET)
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Where
Embassy of Ethiopia
3524 International Drive
Washington, DC 20008

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Your Hosts: The New Beginning InitiativeTeam
The New Beginning Initiative (NBI) is dedicated to the economic and social development of the
peoples of the African Union. NBI is under-girded by a peace-based, Diasporan-led, systems
thinking methodology for economic and social development in and for Africa. Respectful of the
prowess of traditional approaches by para-statal agencies, non-profit and commercial
contractors, and philanthropic actors in the field, the NBI will advance and catalyze the
measurable, incremental impact of new intellectual, financial and human resources available
world-wide for African economic and social development.

The New Beginning Initiative Team

Melvin Hardy (Caribbean/USA), Israel Chidi Agwamba (Nigeria/USA), Jean Dowd (USA),
Evangeline Kirgua (Kenya/USA), Sheila Jones (USA), Sylvie Bello (Cameroon/USA), Ezi Mecha
(Nigeria/USA), Jack Gaines (USA), Joe Wynn (USA), and Tamiru Degefa (Ethiopia/USA)

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