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America.gov Selection November 9-13, 2009 : Articles of Particular Interest in Africa.

Peace and Security: President Obama Sudan Strategy

	Obama Sudan Strategy Hailed by Africa Policy Specialists Former U.S. ambassadors praise new approach as pragmatic, realistic Washington — Diplomats and Africa policy specialists are hailing the Obama administration’s new policy toward Sudan as a practical approach to stopping violence in Sudan’s Darfur region while preserving a peace accord that ended the nation’s 22-year civil war in 2005.

Democracy and Human Rights

Presidential Proclamation for World Freedom Day 2009 President Obama commemorates 20th anniversary of fall of Berlin wall Twenty years ago today, the Wall came down in Berlin and both a country and a continent came together. After thousands of East Berliners flooded through checkpoints into West Berlin, border restrictions dissolved across Eastern Bloc countries. The Iron Curtain that divided Europe for decades finally fell, ushering in a new era of freedom and cooperation. On this anniversary, we are reminded that no challenge is too great for a world united in common purpose.

Clinton’s Speech on 20th Anniversary of Berlin Wall’s Fall Secretary Clinton addresses the Atlantic Council Gala dinner in Berlin SECRETARY CLINTON: And I am especially honored to have been introduced by him today, and to be with all of you for this extraordinary occasion. There are so many in this room, and then so many others who have been mentioned, who deserve all of the appreciation and admiration we can bestow upon them. But I have the great and high honor today to accept this freedom award on behalf of the American people, some of whose names are already in the history books, but many of whom will never be known to history.

Women’s Rights in Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Woman from Zimbabwe Follows Dreams to Earn a Doctoral Degree After overcoming challenges, Tererai Trent advocates for girls Washington — Hard work and a belief that she could achieve her girlhood dreams helped Zimbabwean Tererai Trent complete college, then graduate school, and become an international advocate for better education for girls.

Congolese Journalist Champions Women, Human Rights Namegabe calls for more dialogue in Democratic Republic of the Congo Washington — Chouchou Namegabe initially seems like the quiet type. Then she begins telling the stories that brought her to the international stage — the stories of the women in her native Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) who have been the victims of rape and sexual violence. She reveals herself as a truly affecting and passionate advocate for justice and human rights in Africa.

Partnerships with Muslim Communities

Forum for the Future 2009: Partnerships with Muslim Communities U.S. outlines new initiatives to broaden engagement with Muslims Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, in a November 3 speech in Marrakesh, Morocco, reaffirmed the commitment of the United States to broad engagement with Muslim communities around the world and outlined concrete steps the United States is taking to follow up on the “New Beginning” launched by President Barack Obama launched in Cairo in June. She was addressing the 2009 Forum for the Future, an initiative of the Broader Middle East and the North Africa region (BMENA), the G8 countries, and civil society and private sector groups.

Business, Economy and Trade

African Migrants Invest in Their Home Countries Washington — Investment in their home countries by migrants from Africa is contributing to economic growth on the impoverished continent. This business development has caught the attention of African governments, development agencies and the world’s largest cash-transfer company, Western Union Company, which are working to facilitate such investment.

	Unleashing the Entrepreneurial Energy of the Young November 16–22 marks Global Entrepreneurship Week Washington — Jonathan Ortmans needed a shot of caffeine before an early morning interview in Auckland, New Zealand. He stopped by a coffee shop that happened to be owned by a young Israeli. The Israeli owner, drawn to New Zealand by a project at the University of New Zealand, had opened the shop as a way of supporting himself.

Good Governance and Development: New MCC Director - Food Security – Fight against Corruption

Obama Names Senior Advisor for Millennium Challenge Corporation Cassandra Butts has “experience and true passion for justice,” Obama says WASHINGTON – Today, President Barack Obama announced that he will name Deputy White House Counsel Cassandra Q. Butts as Senior Advisor in the Office of the Chief Executive Officer at the Millennium Challenge Corporation.

Report Links Agriculture Successes to Food Security Authors provide evidence for what works ahead of World Food Summit Washington — Successes in agricultural development that have significantly reduced world hunger are highlighted in a new report from a research group.

Remarks by U.S. Attorney General at Anti-Corruption Forum We must work together to support anti-corruption enforcement, Holder says Your Highness, Attorney General Al-Marri, Excellencies, Colleagues: It is a distinct honor for me to join you to inaugurate the Sixth Global Forum on Combating Corruption and Safeguarding Integrity. Let me begin by commending the leadership and hospitality of His Highness, the Emir -- as well as that of His Excellency Dr. Al-Marri and of the Government of Qatar -- in their role as hosts of both the Global Forum and the Third Conference of States Parties to the United Nations Convention Against Corruption.

Energy and Environment: Climate Change

Mitigation Policy Central Challenge in Climate Change Negotiation Market solutions like putting price on CO2 to be discussed in Copenhagen Washington ― When negotiators meet in Copenhagen in December to discuss international action to fight global warming, the hottest debate will concern how to reduce the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere. Policies designed to reduce CO2 emissions and stabilize greenhouse gases at a level that is environmentally sustainable are crucial to mitigate the effects of climate change.

	International Collaboration Key to Mitigating Climate Change Nations cooperate to develop carbon dioxide capture-and-storage technology Washington — Human activities, especially those that burn fossil fuels and emit planet-warming carbon dioxide, are driving changes in the climate system. Mitigating these changes and their potentially disastrous effects is stimulating a new kind of technology cooperation among governments, industries and institutions.

Clinton Sees Copenhagen Climate Conference as Steppingstone Washington — The U.N.-sponsored climate conference in December in Copenhagen can become the steppingstone to a full and binding legal climate agreement if it focuses on the right blend of practical approaches and principles, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says.

	Acid Rain’s “Cap and Trade” Is Potential Model for Climate Fix First emissions trading scheme cut pollution, proved skeptics wrong Washington — When U.S. President George H.W. Bush proposed to address an environmental problem through a market-based scheme in 1989, the plan was met with skepticism.

Global Partnerships Speed Climate Change Technology Development Lasting effects of carbon dioxide modify way nations, companies cooperate Washington — Rising atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide (CO2) are having an impact on more than just the climate system. The critical need to mitigate this growing problem is beginning to change the way nations share technology-development information, costs and efforts.