---------- 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!