Photo by: Jeff Haessler
Assistant Secretary of State Jendayi Frazer presented a keynote speech on peacekeeping strategies in Africa and the recent accomplishments of Liberia last week as part of DU’s Bridges to the Future theme, “The Pursuit of Peace.”
Chancellor Coombe was present to introduce Frazer.
Frazer began the lecture by saying that the Bush administration is not solely focused on conflict resolution, but is also trying to address the causes of conflict.
Some of these objectives are to create jobs throughout Africa, provide investment incentives, tackle the issue of lethal diseases such as HIV and malaria and eliminate poor governance.
“Our overall strategy is guided by the words of DU graduate Condoleezza Rice, who characterizes her approach as ‘doing things with people, not for them,'” said Frazer.
Frazer believes in the idea of partnership in diplomacy.
She presented several initiatives that the Bush administration is currently facilitating in order to alleviate the social dilemmas of Africa.
The Africa Education Initiative, a $600 million initiative over the course of four years, is concentrating on increasing access to quality education in Africa through scholarships and teacher training programs.
The United States is also contributing $600 million over the course of five years to the Global Peace Operations Initiative, which will train more than 40,000 African peacekeepers.
The President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) is a $15 billion initiative, which plans to support treatment for two million people, prevent new infections of seven million people and care for 10 million people over the course of five years.
This is the largest international health initiative in history dedicated to a single disease.
In addition, Frazer said the President’s Malaria Initiative will provide $1.2 billion throughout five years in order to reduce malaria-related mortality by 50 percent in countries including Mozambique, Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania.
Frazer described positive efforts toward peace in the African country of Liberia.
Until 2003, Liberia was at war with itself, and the country was plagued with children soldiers, warlords and extreme unemployment under the reign of former president Charles Taylor.
In November of 2005, Ellen Johnson was sworn in as Liberia’s president and Africa’s first-ever female president. Since then, Liberia has undergone drastic changes toward eliminating violence.
Frazer said Liberia pursued peace by cutting off Charles Taylor’s revenue of diamonds and timber, working closely with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and using foreign assistance programs.
“I’m particularly pleased with the success of Liberia, not only because it has the first female president, but because Charles Taylor is being held accountable, and I hope that other dictators will [learn] a lesson from him,” said Frazer.
Frazer concluded her lecture by commenting on the United States’ continuous efforts in Sudan and Somalia.
She said the United States has made significant progress in these countries by providing technical assistance, transportation equipment, logistics and military planners.
“I think we have a good strategy. Sudan offers hope [for progress], and Somalia has turned out to be more ready for stability and governance than many of us could have expected a year ago. With the help of international partners, our efforts will become more tangible,” said Frazer.
Jack Donnelly, a professor in the Graduate School of International Studies doctoral program, and one of the first researchers to specialize in studying human rights, moderated questions from the audience.
One audience member asked if Frazer had learned anything in Africa that could help with the current situation in Iraq.
Frazer replied, “We’re dealing with different types of partners in Africa than we are in the Middle East. In the Middle East, we have an enemy that is determined to establish an order that we cannot accept. African countries are pluralistic and tolerant; it is a different environment.”
In the early 1990s, Frazer was part of the faculty at DU’s Graduate School for International Studies, and she served as the editor of Africa Today.
Frazer earned her B.A., M.A. and Ph.D. degrees at Stanford University.
Provost Greg Kvistad announced the upcoming Bridges to the Future event titled, “Holy War, Holy Peace.”
This event will feature a keynote address by Marc Gopin, director of the Center on Religion, Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University.
The event will take place on May 9.
To view the most up-to-date information regarding this upcoming event, visit www.du.edu/bridges.
