this week

I'm moderating this week's Great Lakes Policy Forum, Thursday morning at 9:30 at USIP. Here's the announcement:

2011 is a year of high stakes in the DRC. MONUSCO is due for renewal by the end of June and elections are due to be held before the end of the year. Meanwhile, a new report has documented sexual violence in the DRC is occurring at much higher rates than previously reported and is less concentrated in the Kivus and other conflict affected areas. With human security at such low levels and elections preparations so far behind, recent reports state that the Congo could face renewed political crisis. What are the underlying reasons for these problems and how should the United States and the international community respond to such high stakes in the DRC?

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Speakers

Joshua Marks
Central Africa Program Officer, National Endowment for Democracy

Tia Palermo
Assistant Professor, Stony Brook University

These are fantastic speakers and it should be a great event - hope to see you there!