Date: Wed Dec 31 1969
Location: National Democratic Institute
Cote d’Ivoire is at an impasse following the Nov. 28 presidential run-off election between incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo and opposition leader Alassane Ouattara. After an armed rebellion in September 2002, and several postponements of the election initially scheduled for 2005, many Ivorians believed the poll would help national reconciliation and unification of the country hitherto divided between rebel-controlled north and government controlled south. Formerly an anchor of political stability and economic success in West Africa, Cote d’Ivoire continues to influence political and economic trends throughout the sub-region.
AT THE EVENT
In the days leading up to the first elections held in Burma in 20 years on Nov. 7, dozens of Burma border-based organizations with feeds from human rights organizations and exile media launched a website to share citizen reports of widespread abuse and fraud. Burma Election Tracker (www.burmaelectiontracker.org) shows detailed reports, eye witness accounts, pictures and video gathered through established networks of civic organizations operating throughout Burma. The site also provides ongoing analysis and recommendations.
Dr. Naing Aung, one of the key Burmese activists involved in the election tracker program, will share his first-hand experiences moving information in and out of the country as well as insights into the politics of Burma in the post-election period and the Aung San Suu Kyi story. Dr. Aung is a long time leader of the movement for democracy in Burma and currently the secretary general of the Forum for Democracy in Burma.
Nino Burjanadze will discuss the economic and political challenges facing Georgia’s development following the August conflict with Russia.
