Guided Search: Governance, Africa

Every year, military airstrikes in conflict zones like Iraq, Syria, and Libya result in thousands of civilian deaths and displacement. To shed light on the impact that civilians face in these conflict zones, the Council is hosting a discussion with the Director of Airwars, a non-profit transparency organization working to track, assess, and archive military actions and related civilian harm claims in conflict zones.

Doctors Without Borders is coming to Philadelphia for a FREE panel discussion!

The Global Leadership Seminar is open to all rising high school sophomores, juniors and seniors. This four-day seminar will focus on the key issues impacting the rise of Africa as a leading competitor in the global marketplace.

The American Tunisian Association (ATA) lecture series, "Tunisians and their Hopes for Democracy," continues to bring together Tunisian speakers to discuss the nation's transition to democracy. On November 11, Hatem Bourial will discuss the new actors in Tunisian political life, the new challenges after the first free elections, and the next milestones in the roadmap leading towards Tunisian democracy.

The American Tunisian Association (ATA) lecture series, "Tunisians and their Hopes for Democracy," continues to bring together Tunisian speakers to discuss the nation's transition to democracy. On November 16, Chema Gargouri will discuss how Tunisia can leverage new citizen interest and awareness to help establish a functioning civil society, so vital a part to a new democracy.

The American Tunisian Association (ATA) lecture series, "Tunisians and their Hopes for Democracy," continues to bring together Tunisian speakers to discuss the nation's transition to democracy. On December 1st, Salah Bourjini will explore Tunisia's vast history of civilization, culture, political and social reforms, all of which were followed by 23 years of dictatorship beginning in 1987. Dr. Bourjini will ask: What are some of the political and social changes in Tunisia and whole region? And what can be envisioned after Tunisia’s first free elections of October 23, 2011?

The World Affairs Council of Philadelphia hosts Trudy Rubin, Philadelphia Inquirer foreign affairs columnist, and Marwan Bishara, Al Jazeera senior political analyst, as they offer their analyses of the Arab Spring and its long-range implications for both the Arab world and the greater global community. See inside for registration options. 

Pierre Englebert is professor of politics at Pomona College. In this talk, Professor Englebert will articulate the manner in which the international recognition of African states tends to translate into absolutist domestic power which undermines accountability and transforms governance into command. He will discuss possible policy recommendations including the provocative idea of derecognizing African states.