Africa Rising: A Presentation by Retired U.S. Diplomat Steven McDonald

Steven McDonald will present on the "Africa Rising" scenerio - is it real, what does it mean for Africa's global rule and U.S. policy?  He will review continental growth and development progress in the last decade, with a focus on economic integration and its implications (including the new AU African passport and move towards a United States of Africa) and the movement of private sector investment capital, growth of the middle class and regional economic communities.  He will also touch on the emerging economic powers, BRICS, South Africa, Nigeria and increasing attention from India, Brazil, China, Japan, Turkey, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, etc. He will contrast U.S. involvement and policy directions.

McDonald is a retired U.S. Diplomat and Political Science alumni.  He spent four decades focused on peace building, conflict resolution, democracy and governance in Africa, Northern Ireland, Timor Leste and Brazil. He worked with South Africans, including Nelson Mandela, to bring about the change from Apartheid to majority rule in 1994.

Free