---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Mon, 28 Aug 2000 15:03:20 EDT
From: [log in to unmask]
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: New York Meeting on Senegal

Hi Scott -

I was wondering if you could put an announcement in the next online (and/or
hardcopy) newsletter you will be sending out about an upcoming international
meeting on Senegal . This groundbreaking event will be happening October 7
and 8th, 2000, in New York City. For the first time in history- Senegalese
expatriates from all over the world, will meet to brainstorm and share ideas
about how they can help build and develop their country. "The New York
Meeting
" as it has been dubbed, will be a two-day conference consisting of
plenaries
and workshops on the critical issues that Senegal and its people are facing
today, and the strategies for unifying the Senegalese diaspora to work
together toward finding effective solutions.

Senegalese and American government officials and businesses, friends of
Senegal interested in the reconstuction of the country, and non-profit
organizations and foundations will all be essential and welcome participants
of the conference.

I will be coordinating a workshop on how RPCV's can get organized and
involved in helping the country, including launching a lobbying/advocacy
effort for Senegal in the United States.

Potential Workshops will include:

1. Improving and consolidating the Senegalese democracy.
2. How peace can be restored in the Casamance.
3. The fight against poverty and illiteracy in the rural areas Senegal.
4. How friends and partners of Senegal can join together to create an
effective lobbying force for Senegal in America.
5. Developing Senegalese tourism in the US.
6. Increasing investment in Senegal.
7.Creating of a worldwide association of Senegalese expatriates and
establishing a legal fund, social development fund, an insurance fund, and a
newsletter.
8. How businesses in Senegal can become more socially responsible.

Attached/below is the English version flyer on the meeting. Contact
information on CORISEN is provided if people have questions - they can feel
free to email or call me (718) 436-9636.

Thanks very much,

Naomi Shank
RPCV 1989-1991, Senegal
(I met you once or twice when you were an APCD in Senegal.)


NEW YORK MEETING
OCTOBER 7th & 8th, 2000

The successful free and fair elections and the smooth transfer of political
leadership in Senegal this year sparked an intense on-line dialogue among a
group of Senegalese expatriates on how to improve their country's social and
economic conditions. Discussions focused on how to create an effective
mechanism that will coordinate direct efforts and participation of the
Senegalese Diaspora in developing their country. Innovative and exciting
ideas came out of this exchange, such as developing a citizen watchdog group
to monitor the new government's actions (SAM SA KADDU); creating a
think-tank
to provide the government with advice and knowledge on political,
economical,
social and cultural issues (COGIT); and the formation of several different
non-governmental (nonprofit) organizations focused on eradicating rural
poverty, ending illiteracy, as well as addressing the digital divide. The
needs identified were so great that the group agreed opportunities existed
for anyone willing to commit time and energy to work on these issues.

The following three themes emerged from these discussions:

1. How to re-organize and strengthen the current Senegalese expatriate
movement.

2. The need to redefine the relationship between Senegalese expatriates and
their country so that  actions and participation to modernize the country
can
be more direct and coordinated.

3. How to mobilize the support of friends and partners of Senegal around
activities that can help rebuild the country, such as the creation of a
strong lobby for Senegal in the United States.

In order to gain a deeper understanding of the complexity of  these issues
and create a forum for finding effective and long-term solutions, the
on-line
group has decided to hold an International Meeting, called "The New York
Meeting" in which Senegalese expatriates and friends and partners of Senegal
will be invited. The purpose of this meeting is to:

a) Allow more people to participate in the quest for achieving peace and
prosperity in  Senegal,

b) Hold workshops that will delve deeper into the issues and ideas that
emerged from the electronic forum, and

c) Design a mutually agreed upon plan of action that will detail the next
steps on the main themes addressed above.

The organizing committee of The New York Meeting, or CORISEN (French
acronym), has been created to organize this historical event.  CORISEN is
comprised of a committed group of Senegalese men and women who have vowed to
work diligently to make this exceptional gathering a high quality and
productive experience for all. It has adopted the three main themes stated
above as its goals. CORISEN is a non-partisan effort and membership is only
open to individuals, not organizations.

If you are interested in finding more about The New York Meeting or joining
CORISEN,
Please Call  (212) 714-4971
Send an Email to: [log in to unmask]
Visit our Web Site at: WWW.rencontredenewyork.com

WE HOPE YOU WILL ATTEND THIS HISTORICAL EVENT!