[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 160 (Thursday, November 13, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2388]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    FOUNDATION FOR DEMOCRACY IN AFRICA HOSTS A FEBRUARY 1998 MIAMI 
                          CONFERENCE ON AFRICA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 13, 1997

  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, on February 25 through March 1, 1998, 
the Institute for Democracy in Africa at St. Thomas University will be 
hosting a very timely conference whose theme will be Africa: the next 
frontier.
  Africa faces challenges today and the Foundation for Democracy in 
Africa [FDA], a nonprofit group based in Miami, FL and Washington, DC--
is determined to educate the next generation on Africa and the tenets 
of democracy and free market economics.
  The founders of the FDA believe that, finally free from the 
hindrances of being used as a cold war battleground, Africa is at a 
watershed period as it prepares to tackle the tasks of economic and 
democratic infrastructure development. The FDA also states that Africa 
faces the challenges of building peace and economic prosperity so that 
democracy can flourish. The new generation of Africans stand as a 
beacon of hope for Africa's future prosperity. They must be encouraged 
and embrace tribal values as tenets for national unity and be steeped 
in democratic governance and western economic systems.
  The Institute for Democracy in Africa provides education, training, 
and research opportunities for African students. The FDA will bring 
students from Africa for instruction in democratic governance and 
entrepreneurship. The institute's grounding in Western economic and 
democratic systems and its adaption to African challenges will serve 
well the future leaders of Africa.
  The FDA conference will bring together leaders of business, 
government, and nongovernmental organizations from the United States 
and Africa to discuss the challenges in developing the necessary 
infrastructure. Since 1989, Africa has witnessed remarkable improvement 
in the area of economic development, sustainable growth, and good 
governance.
  Africa is striving to further integrate herself into the global 
economy and provide a bright future for its people. The rising 
generation of Africans can lead this African renaissance.

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