The African Student Association will host a panel discussion, “Helping Africa the Right Way,” today from 6 to 8 p.m. in the EMU Fir Room.
The panel is composed of graduate students who have researched individual topics, including the World Bank Project and how technology and media affect Africa’s development, and will present their findings to the audience. The discussion will also include Powerpoint visuals and traditional African music.
Doctoral student and panelist Ramon Fonkoue will discuss Western countries’ economic relationships with Africa.
“The point I will be trying to make is economic relations with Africa has not produced any concrete or significant result,” Fonkoue said. “Africa’s interests have never been taken into consideration.”
ASA Co-Director Nkola Lucas is hopeful there will be a large student audience for the discussion. “We believe in the future of Africa,” Lucas said. He emphasized that the most important part of this event is to inform those who are not aware of funding issues in Africa.
The event will include free refreshments and time for an open discussion at the end of the night.
ASA President Kofi Sarfo-Kantanka hopes to continue the panel discussions in the future. “The goal is to make this annual and make it big,” Sarfo-Kantanka said. “We are starting with the U of O and in the future we are hoping to get speakers from other universities to participate as well.”
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