Somalia: Challenges for Renewed Engagement

The CSIS Africa Program in collaboration with the U.S. Institute of Peace invite you to attend a public conference:

“Challenges for Renewed Engagement in Somalia”

The conference examined current developments in Somalia and the possibilities for greater U.S. and international engagement. Speakers included a variety of Somalia experts from the region itself, distinguished policymakers, humanitarian representatives, and security analysts. The event was moderated by Jennifer Cooke, director of the CSIS Africa Program, and David Smock, vice president of USIP's Center for Mediation and Conflict Resolution.

Conference Agenda

7:45-8:15 a.m.           
Registration and Breakfast

8:15-8:20 a.m. Video (00:29:47)  | Audio (00:29:48)         
Introduction
John J. Hamre, President and CEO, CSIS

8:20-8:45 a.m.           
Opening Keynote
Senator Russ Feingold, Chair of the Senate Subcommittee on African Affairs

Moderator: Jennifer Cooke, Director, CSIS Africa Program

9:00-11:00 a.m.  Audio (02:01:53)        
Current Political/Security Situation

Jabril Abdulle, Director, Center for Research and Dialogue
Ken Menkhaus, Associate Professor of Political Science, Davidson College
Michael Weinstein, Professor, Purdue University
Chris Albin-Lackey, Senior Africa Researcher, Human Rights Watch
Donna Hopkins, Bureau of Political Military Affairs, U.S. Department of State

Moderator: Jennifer Cooke, CSIS Africa Program

11:15 -12:30 p.m.  Audio (01:23:33)     
Possibilities for Bottom-Up Approaches

Bronwyn Bruton, Visiting Council on Foreign Relations Fellow, CSIS
Jabril Abdulle, Director, Center for Research and Dialogue
Abdi Samatar, Professor of Geography and Global Studies, University of Minnesota
Omar Faruk Osman, Secretary General, National Union of Somali Journalists

Moderator: Karin von Hippel, Co-Director, CSIS Post-Conflict Reconstruction Project

12:45-1:45 p.m.  Video (00:54:09) | Audio (00:54:24)        
Luncheon Keynote
Ambassador Ahmedou Ould Abdallah, United Nations Special Envoy to Somalia

Moderator: David Smock, Vice President of the Center for Mediation and Conflict, U.S. Institute of Peace

2:00-3:00 p.m.  Audio (01:01:02)
Options for U.S. and International Engagement

Phil Carter, Acting Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs
Terrence Lyons, Associate Professor of Conflict Resolution, George Mason University
John Prendergast, Co-Chair, ENOUGH Project

Moderator: David Smock, U.S. Institute of Peace