Africa-U.S. Conference May 23, 2006 Millennium Development Goals These goals were ratified by 189 heads at the United Nations Millenium Summit Sept To eradicate extreme poverty and hunger in Africa 2. To achieve universal primary education 3. To promote gender equality 4. To Reduce child mortality

Africa-U.S. Conference May 23, 2006 “A Small Group of Thoughtful People Can Change the World” It is the only thing that ever has Margaret Mead ( ) Worked in Tanzania, Rwanda, and Somalia

Africa-U.S. Conference May 23, 2006 Millenium Goals cont. 5. To combat HIV/AIDS 6. To ensure environmental sustainability 7. To develop global partnerships (The year 2015 was chosen as the goal line)

Africa-U.S. Conference May 23, 2006 African Women Toting Water

Africa-U.S. Conference May 23, 2006 Africa Needs a New Plan This conference today will focus on global “partnerships” This means country-to-country relationships Most of all, people-to-people actions Each person here today should come away with “a partner” or “partners” or contacts that can lead to “partners.”

Africa-U.S. Conference May 23, 2006 Our Goals Today Establish linkages between U.S. companies and companies in Africa in order to achieve the 2015 goals. Explore investment opportunities in Africa Search for new ways to teach prevention for HIV/AIDS with particular emphasis on youth and prevention.

Africa-U.S. Conference May 23, 2006 Bad water is the Second Leading Cause of Death in Africa

Africa-U.S. Conference May 23, 2006 Other Areas of Focus Today Agriculture and mining partnerships Alternative energy and better water management systems Information and communication technology links Educational partnerships and joint grants Small and medium sized joint ventures and micro-financing.

Africa-U.S. Conference May 23, 2006 WPI’s Africa Focus (Why WPI?) WPI has project centers around the world, from Namibia to Bangkok to Costa Rica. The Namibia Project Center was started in 2002 Each year about 25 students and 2 faculty go to Africa and work on various projects concerned with sustainable development.

Africa-U.S. Conference May 23, 2006 Why WPI? continued We have received grants from USAID and U.S. Department of Education for ten years of various Africa projects. We have published books and papers relating to research in Africa. We teach courses in Africa History and Culture. We are small enough to be agile and combine practical with theoretical.

Africa-U.S. Conference May 23, 2006 Conclusion This conference is a call to arms and is designed for action and not just information exchange As the day progresses let us each keep thinking about what we can do to bring the continents closer together. Let’s view this conference as a beginning so that we each leave tonight with new ideas and plans for action.

Africa-U.S. Conference May 23, 2006 “A Small Group of Thoughtful People Can Change the World” Margaret Mead