Date: Tuesday 16 March

Time: 12.00-1.30PM

Venue: Committee Room 18, House of Commons, Westminster, London SW1A 0AA (use Cromwell Green visitors' entrance)

Speaker: His Royal Highness Kgosi Leruo Molotlegi, King of the Royal Bafokeng Nation, South Africa

Chair: Rt Hon Paul Boateng, Former British High Commissioner to South Africa

2010 represents a momentous year for the Republic of South Africa. It is marked by the twentieth anniversary of the release of Nelson Mandela and the ambassadorial role the country will play as it becomes the first African nation to host the FIFA World Cup. Beyond the fanfare and euphoria of these important historic events, what significant legacies does this provide as a launch pad to continue to build ongoing transformation and renewal domestically and across the wider continent? What is the impact of ancient African tribes and nations whose cultures, customs and values have had a longstanding role in shaping local governance and community advocacy? How do these ancient traditions co-exist in South Africa's young democracy? In an FPC public lecture to be addressed by His Royal Highness Kgosi Leruo Molotlegi, King of the Royal Bafokeng Nation in South Africa, these and many other issues will be explored.

If you would like to attend, please RSVP by email to: events@fpc.org.uk

• Invitation: Governance and leadership in Africa - Tue 16 Mar

Monday 22nd March 2010, 6.30pm-8.00pm, Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Room Houses of Parliament

Speakers:

•Mustafa Sarigül, Leader of Turkey's Movement for Change (TDH) and Mayor of Sisli Municipality

•Dr Faruk Logoglu, Former Turkish Ambassador to the United States

•Chair: Adam Hug, Policy Director, Foreign Policy Centre

The Foreign Policy Centre is delighted to have the opportunity to host Mustafa Sarigül the leader of Turkey's Movement for Change that describes itself as a new progressive political force in the centre-ground of Turkish politics.

This FPC event will explore the new movement's chances of success, the challenges it faces and what lessons can be learned from the fate of similar movements in recent Turkish political history.

Please RSVP by email to: events@fpc.org.uk

• A new politics for Turkey? Event details

in 'US Strategy in Africa: AFRICOM, Terrorism and Security Challenges' Ed. by Prof David Francis

The US Government launched Africa Command (AFRICOM) on 1 October 2008, but how relevant is it for Africans and Africa? In this new article, published as part of an edited volume, FPC Democracy and Development director Josephine Osikena, explores the challenges associated with AFRICOM's predominant focus on the militarisation of African security, by surveying examples of African partnerships with non-OECD actors, including Brazil, India, China and the Middle East. The article also raises a number of questions for US policymakers.

• Read 'Geopolitics beyond Washington?' by Josephine Osikena

FPC Research Associate Ella Rolfe will be regularly blogging from Iraq as she follows the election campaign across the country. Visit http://blog.fpc.org.uk/ for more to read her thoughts on the key challenges the country faces and how the campaign is unfolding.

The Foreign Policy Centre and the European Commission Representation in the UK are delighted to announce the launch of a new project, Reconnecting the European Parliament and its People. It comprises a series of four events across the UK, followed by a pamphlet, that will examine public awareness and attitudes towards the European Parliament, assess the problems that it faces and explore some possible solutions. Please download and submit the survey below to help inform this research.

Our final event will take place on May 21st in Cardiff at 4pm-5.45pm in the National Assembly for Wales . Speakers will include:

• Derek Vaughan MEP (Labour)
• Jill Evans MEP (Plaid Cymru)
• Dr Adam Marshall, Director of Policy and External Affairs, British Chambers of Commerce
• Chair: Rt Hon Rhodri Morgan AM, Former First Minister of Wales and Chair of the Welsh Assembly European and External Affairs Committee

See the link below for details for further details. Speakers who have already spoken as part of the series include:

• Rt Hon Dr Denis MacShane MP
• Rt Hon David Heathcoat-Amory MP
• Sajjad Karim MEP
• Catherine Stihler MEP
• Struan Stevenson MEP
• John Peet, Economist Europe Editor
• Liz Atkins, NCVO and
• Jim Hancock, former BBC North West

• Reconnecting the European Parliament and its People: Cardiff
• Please fill in our survey about the European Parliament