Wayne State University’s Forum on Contemporary Issues in Society (FOCIS) will feature two sessions on Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 17-18, focusing on the theme, “Democracy in Far Away Places: Namibia and Afghanistan.”
As part of International Education Week, guest speakers will explore the challenges of democracy and education in Namibia and Afghanistan.
On Monday, Nov. 17, Martin Andjaba, Ambassador of the Republic of Namibia to the United States of America, will discuss “The Emergence and Challenges of Democracy on the African Continent,” from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at Wayne State University’s Law School Auditorium, located at 471 West Palmer in Detroit.
From 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 18, Dr. Sakena Yacoobi will examine “The Challenges of Democracy and the Education of Women in Afghanistan,” at the McGregor Conference Center, located at 471 Gilmour Mall in Detroit.
“People often ask why we should care about democracy and education in Africa and Afghanistan,’’ said Irvin D. Reid, director of FOCIS and inaugural holder of Wayne State’s Eugene Applebaum Chair in Community Engagement. “Part of the answer is that we care about building relationships based on mutual prosperity and support.
“Democracy helps to build civilized educated nations while stimulating cultural conversation among nations. Education and democracy together fight corruption and poverty, while enhancing press freedom and building relationships.”
Andjaba, named ambassador of Namibia to the United States in 2010, previously served in several leadership positions. After Namibia declared independence in 1990, Andjaba served for the next six years as the government’s chief of protocol. In 1996, he became Namibia’s permanent representative to the United Nations. During the period that Namibia was a member of the UN Security Council (1999-2000), Andjaba twice served as president of the Security Council.
Yacoobi co-founded Creating Hope International and is founder and CEO of the Afghan Institute of Learning (AIL). Yacoobi founded AIL in 1995 to provide teacher training to Afghan women, support education for all Afghans, particularly women and children, and provide healthcare and education to women and children. AIL was the first organization to offer human rights and leadership training to Afghan women. AIL and Yacoobi are internationally known and recognized for their work and jointly received the 2005 Democracy Award of the National Endowment for Democracy and the 2004 Women’s Rights Prize from the Peter Gruber Foundation.
For additional information about FOCIS and “Democracy in Far Away Places: Namibia and Afghanistan,” visit focis.wayne.edu.
Admission to the event is free. However, seating is limited and reservations are required. Register at focis.wayne.edu, or call 313-577-0300.
