Stort seminar om plaget Vestafrika

TIME: Monday, 20 August 2012, at 14 – 16 hours

VENUE: Danish Institute for International Studies, Main Auditorium, ground floor, Strandgade 71, Christianshavn, 1401 Copenhagen K

BACKGROUND

TIME: Monday, 20 August 2012, at 14 – 16 hours

VENUE: Danish Institute for International Studies, Main Auditorium, ground floor, Strandgade 71, Christianshavn, 1401 Copenhagen K

BACKGROUND

In recent months, West Africa has attracted attention as an increasingly troubled and instable part of the world. The influx of arms and mercenaries from Libya has led to growing insecurity and added to the dire humanitarian consequences of the long foreseen, yet sadly un-averted food crisis in the Sahel region.

In particular, developments in Mali have been worrying, and despite intense diplomatic activity within ECOWAS, the African Union, and the United Nations, a decisive international response has so far not emerged. In the meantime, the impact of other issues, including transnational organized crime and terrorism, continues to undermine political and economic development in the region.

In addition to Mali, Guinea-Bissau experienced a military coup in April 2012, and the UN Secretary-General has warned that other West African countries are vulnerable to unconstitutional changes of government due to weak governance, lack of political inclusiveness and politicized and unregulated security sectors.

The gains in consolidating peace and democracy that have been made in past years may turn out to be easily reversible.

On the occasion of the visit to Denmark by Alhaji Muhammad Mumuni, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration of Ghana, this seminar explores the prospects and challenges for addressing the complex set of cross-border issues that confront the states and people of West Africa.

In addition to the Minister, the seminar features two highly experienced Danish experts on questions of security and development in Africa: Professor Holger Bernt Hansen and Ambassador Ellen Margrethe Løj.

SPEAKERS

* Alhaji Muhammad Mumuni, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration of Ghana
* Ellen Margrethe Løj, Ambassador, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Liberia 2008-11
* Holger Bernt Hansen, Professor Emeritus, University of Copenhagen
* Nanna Hvidt, Director, DIIS

PROGRAMME

14.00-14.05
Welcome by Nanna Hvidt, Director, DIIS

14.05-14.40
West African Solutions and Approaches to Building Peace in the Region by Alhaji Muhammad Mumuni, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration of Ghana

14.40-15.00
The Role of the International Community by Ellen Margrethe Løj, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Liberia 2008-11, chef for Danida 1996-2001 og FN-ambassadør i New York 2001-2007

15.00-15.15
Coffee Break

15.15-16.00
Q & A

Chair: Holger Bernt Hansen, Professor Emeritus, University of Copenhagen

The seminar will be held in English.

Participation is free of charge, but registration is required.

Please use our online registration form on http://www.diis.dk/sw121193.asp

And do so no later than Friday, 17 August 2012 at 12.00 noon.

Please await confirmation by e-mail from DIIS for participation.

Danish Institute for International Studies (DIIS)
The Conference Section
Strandgade 56, 1401 Copenhagen K
Ph. (+45) 32 69 87 51 and e-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.diis.dk