Policy Advocacy with TransAfrica Forum Hepburn Center Internship Summer 2009 Ntshadi Mofokeng ‘12

About TransAfrica Forum Founding principle “We believe the success of Afro-Americans is bound up with the emancipation of all African peoples and also other dependent peoples and laboring classes everywhere…” - excerpt, Declaration of the 5th Pan-African Congress (1945)

A Quick History Established by the Congressional Black Caucus in September 1976 as a private advocacy group Incorporated July 1st, 1977 in Washington DC, with Randall Robinson as Executive Director Early work was in southern Africa and Haiti Orchestrated crucial protests during the 1970s and 1980s outside the South African Embassy in Washington DC which led to high profile arrests including Rosa Parks’

Organizational Setup Seven person full-time staff Department Breakdown Communications Legal Public Affairs Public Outreach Specialization by region: Africa, the Caribbean and Afro-Latin America

Mentors Imani Countess, Senior Director of Public Affairs Key task: shaping TAF’s policy positions Representing TAF at conferences and visiting topical countries Mwiza Munthali, Public Outreach Director Key task: implementing public outreach activities Runs the Arthur Ashe Foreign Policy Library Hosts AfricaNow weekly radio show

Hot Issues Africom - militarization of aid Vulture Funds - exploitation of highly indebted poor countries President Obama’s Trip to Ghana - opportunity to reshape foreign policy Effects of Global Financial Crisis - failure of US economic policy punted through the IMF’s recommendations

Events: Cabral/Truth Circle Topic: Africom and the Militarization of Africa Model for public education Short film presentation Book reading Case study Expert panel Audience participation

Event: Film Festivals DC Caribbean Film Festival African Diaspora Film Festival Model for collaboration: Interest groups Partners with experience Accessible sites

Event: Poetry and Protest Day of the African Child 16 June Model for cross-cultural engagement Providing historical context Honoring Dennis Brutus, South African poet Inviting local poets Hosting Comrade Fatso, Zimbabwean poet

Focus on President Obama’s Trip to Ghana Weekly/Bi-Weekly Meetings Produced Briefing Book and Sign-On Letter Model for forming a coalition Emphasizing general principles Building up support

Writing: Policy Briefs Piracy in Somalia Change in Zimbabwe Format Issue History Previous policy Policy recommendations Call for progressive US Foreign Policy

Take-Home Message TransAfrica Forum is a very robust advocacy organization The staff are supportive of interns and encourage individual development Many opportunities to initiate ideas, gain experience and interact with a variety of organizations

Some of the 2009 Summer Interns Overall, a very fulfilling experience Some of the 2009 Summer Interns