ATLANTA, GA....General Amadou Toumani Touré, the former president of Mali who helped topple a dictator and then stepped down in favor of an elected president, will give the keynote address at the Francophonie 2001: Global Challenges of Strengthening Democracy and Human Rights conference on April 2, 2001, at Â鶹´«Ã½.
Recent events such as the election in Haiti, a coup attempt in Cote d'Ivoire, and the death of Laurant Kabila in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have all put French-speaking countries in the news. The day-long conference will bring together scholars, practitioners, and government officials to address the progress and challenges of democracy and human rights in Francophone countries.
Other participants include: Burundi Ambassador Thomas Ndikumana to the U.S., Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie Ambassador Ridha Bouabid to the U.N.; Mr. Jocelyn Coulon, coordinator of Francophone programmes at the Lester B. Pearson Canadian International Peacekeeping Training Centre; Mr. Claude Kabemba, senior researcher at the Electoral Institute of Southern Africa; Dr. Johan van der Vyver, Cohen Professor of International Law and Human Rights, Emory University School of Law; and Mr. Jean-Paul Monchau, consul general of France, Atlanta.
The morning session will address the challenges of universalizing respect for and protection of international human rights, followed by a debate on the International Criminal Court. The afternoon session's theme is the challenges of sustainable democracies and supporting emerging democracies and post-conflict societies, followed by a debate on whether democracy is a necessary condition for sustainable development.
The conference is sponsored by Â鶹´«Ã½, the Consulate General of Belgium, the Consulate General du Canada, the Consulate General of France, the Senegal consulate, the Consulate General of Switzerland, and the Alliance Francaise, a French-American cultural center and nonprofit organization.
The conference is open to the media and public free of charge. Media should register by calling Kay Torrance at 404-420-5129.
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