MAY 26 , 2007 – South Africa: Facing New Challenges

Please join BIAHC at the Bainbridge Public Library (1270 Madison Ave. N.) on May, April 26, from 9:00 – 10:30 a.m. for coffee, refreshments, a 30-minute video, and the final Great Decisions community discussion.

Great Decisions is a nation-wide, non-partisan program of the Foreign Policy Association to broaden public involvement with the most important foreign policy issues facing the United States. For information, go to www.fpa.org

The May 26 topic is "South Africa: Facing New Challenges." South Africa is the most developed country in Africa and has been an active leader on the continent, yet is still struggling with major issues, including continuing racial inequality, in the post-Apartheid era. What are the political challenges facing South Africa? What impact is the AIDS epidemic playing on South Africa's economy and society?

The discussion will be moderated by Kim Bush, who, with his wife, Judy Friesem, recently returned from eight months of peace building work across Africa, including South Africa. Kim currently teaches integrated humanities at West Sound Academy and serves as Vice Chair for the Kitsap County Human Rights Council.

Great Decisions Briefing Book:
To assist with advance preparation, please review the relevant chapter in the Great Decisions Briefing Book. Copies of the Briefing Book are available at the Bainbridge Public Library, or can be purchased from BIA The remaining discussions are scheduled to take place at the library on April 28, May 12, and May 26.

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Recommended Background Readings:


Great Decisions Briefing Book: Spring 2007 Update. www.fpa.org

South Africa: County profile and recent articles. The Economist. www.economist.com

Troubling Signs for South African Democracy under the ANC. Source: CATO Institute. www.fpa.org

South Africa's Regional Superpower Dilemma. Author: Derek Catsam. www.fpa.org

South Africa's wine country fights alcoholism scourge. Christian Science Monitor. April 12, 2007. www.csmonitor.com

Graft shakes South Africa's vaunted ANC party. Christian Science Monitor. April 10, 2007. www.csmonitor.com

Tide of Zimbabwe Refugees Fleeing to South Africa Swells. Christian Science Monitor. April 16, 2007. www.csmonitor.com

Nobel Prize winner Desmond Tutu has warned that South Africa is in danger of losing its moral direction. BBC News. September 26, 2006. news.bbc.co.uk

An analysis of South African President Thabo Mbeki's recent State of the Nation speech, in which he focused on crime, economic growth, immigration, infrastructure and AIDS. Mail & Guardian online. February 9, 2007. www.mg.co.za

South Africa: Mbeki-Bush: Strategic Concerns Deepen Shared Interests in Africa. allAfrica.com. December 11, 2006. www.allafrica.com

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