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Historian and NGO official, Daniel Cohn devlivered his presentation:
"Development in Africa: Experiences in Three Countries Emerging
from Conflict: Rwanda, Congo and Ivory Coast."
at Kwantlen University College.
For immediate release
February 7, 2008
Kwantlen presents "Development in Africa: Experiences in Three Countries Emerging from Conflict: Rwanda, Congo and Ivory Coast"
(RICHMOND, B.C.) Kwantlen University College hosted a presentation with historian and NGO official, Daniel Cohn called "Development in Africa: Experiences in Three Countries Emerging from Conflict: Rwanda, Congo and Ivory Coast."
Cohn's presentation addressed assistance to countries emerging from conflict. It drew on Cohn's specific experiences as a NGO worker in Rwanda, The Democratic Republic of Congo and Côte d'Ivoire, providing an overview of these critical and complex situations, and showing examples of aid that benefits those who are most in need.
"Humanitarian and development assistance – as demonstrated through the cases of Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Côte d'Ivoire – are key initiatives in helping conflict-affected countries to solve disagreements peacefully, to respect basic human rights, to foster good governance, and to achieve self-reliance," explained Cohn. "But for these efforts to succeed, it is necessary that informed citizens speak up, raise awareness, and advocate on behalf of those people and places in need. This can and must be done right here in Canada."
Sub-Saharan Africa is prevalent in current world events as it is commonly seen as embroiled in poverty, disease, conflict, and corruption. But amidst all of this, there is hope for the future—sustained economic growth rates are high enough to help reduce poverty and attract investment, and there is an increasing number of peaceful and democratic transfers of power. Cohen's presentation explained that many countries fail to benefit from these gains and are even moving backwards, as a result of violent internal conflict.
For the past four years, Daniel Cohn has managed development programs in sub-Saharan Africa and most recently with the International Rescue Committee, an international NGO headquartered in New York and London. He has worked as Project Coordinator in Rwanda and as a Grants Manager in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Since July 2007, Cohn has served as Field Coordinator in Côte d'Ivoire, managing a field office and programs in maternal health, protection of internally-displaced people and prevention of gender-based violence.
Cohn is from Burnaby, B.C. and holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of British Columbia, a DES in International Relations from the Graduate Institute of International Studies (Geneva) and a Master of Arts in Social Sciences from the University of Chicago.
Established in April 2002, the Institute for Transborder Studies (ITS) represents Kwantlen University College's commitment to advance research and scholarly activity as a means to meet its goals. ITS is dedicated to the promotion of co-operation across regional and national boundaries through teaching, interdisciplinary research, and public outreach concentrated on political, social, economic, and justice issues, and with special attention to the Pacific Northwest.
For more information on the Kwantlen University College Institute of Transborder Studies, visit: kwantlen.ca/itbs
Kwantlen's mission is to create an exceptional undergraduate learning environment committed to preparing learners for leadership, service and success. Kwantlen became a university college with degree granting status in 1995, and has a mandate to develop and offer baccalaureate degrees that will prepare students for fulfilling careers.
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For more information, contact:
Dr. Noemi Gal-Or
Director, Institute of Transborder Studies and Instructor, Political Science
Tel: 604.599.2554
noemi.gal-ori@kwantlen.ca
OR
Audrey Wang
Manager, Communications
Tel: 604.599.2385
audrey.wang@kwantlen.ca