Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Time: 4.00-6.00 pm

Venue: Committee Room 19, House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA

The Foreign Policy Centre and Never Again cordially invite you to a discussion on:

Will China Help Prevent or Provoke Conflict in Africa?

Speakers:

• Stephanie T. Kleine-Ahlbrandt, International Affairs Fellow, Council on Foreign Relations, New York
• Patrick Smith, Editor, Africa Confidential

The Theme

After 50 years of independent rule and Western development practice, people in Africa grapple still with the threats, legacies and realities of violent conflict. Will China's unique approach to development offer new solutions or further complicate local and international tensions? Will China's growing investment in the continent encourage African nations to become independent parties to the world trade regime? Will China's investment strengthen African national economies? How will China's involvement influence good governance, human rights and civil society in African countries? What drives China's Africa policy? This seminar will explore the implications of China's increasing assertiveness in Africa, what this means for African governments and citizens, and for the West which has traditionally played a key role in the region.

The speakers

Stephanie T. Kleine-Ahlbrandt is Programme Manager and Officer-in-Charge, Asia Division, Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (2002-2006). She is responsible for human rights and technical cooperation on administration of justice with the government of the People's Republic of China. She is currently on sabbatical and is an international affairs fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, New York, researching the human rights implications of China's deepening engagement with the African continent.

Patrick Smith is editor of Africa Confidential, the world's leading fortnightly bulletin on Africa.

Due to a limited number of places please RSVP to Feng Zhang at:

Feng.Zhang[at]fpc.org.uk or call at +44 (0)20 7729 7566; +44 (0) 78 0976 4855.