Africa’s crushing debt burden, poverty and the HIV/AIDS crisis take center stage as the LIFE OVER DEBT IN AFRICA EDUCATIONAL SPEAKING TOUR makes stops at schools, community organizations and churches in the Los Angeles area. African leaders from varied political, academic and other backgrounds address the most pressing and widespread challenges affecting the continent. The tour helps to build stronger links of understanding between U.S. communities and the people of Africa.

Saturday, February 25

WHAT:     CHILDREN’S RIGHTS AS HUMAN RIGHTS
WHERE: Crescent Heights Elementary School Social Justice Magnet School
1661 S. Crescent Heights Blvd, Los Angeles
WHEN: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
WHO: Kristin Sundell, outreach and congregations coordinator for the Jubilee USA Network
Besinati Mpepo, network coordinator for the Civil Society for Poverty Reduction in Zambia
WHY: Debt payments siphon millions of dollars from education, healthcare, and other services that are critical to a child’s development, undermining a child’s chances of survival. Children’s Rights as Human Rights explores the impact of poverty, Africa’s debt crisis and HIV/AIDS on the basic human rights of children.
For teachers and educators: afternoon sessions open to the public. Conference sponsored by UCLA International Institute African Studies Center. For information, contact Azeb Tadasse at (310) 825-2877, or atadasse@international.ucla.edu .

WHAT:     GLOBAL APARTHEID: DEBT AND GLOBAL ECONOMIC INJUSTICE
WHERE:   The Los Angeles Urban Policy Roundtable (LAUPR)
Lucy Florence Coffee House, 3351 West 43rd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90008
WHEN:      10:00 a.m.─ 12 noon
WHO: Ntando Ndlovu, acting director for the Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development
Kristin Sundell, outreach and congregations coordinator for the Jubilee USA Network
Besinati Mpepo, network coordinator the Civil Society for Poverty Reduction in Zambia
Dedrick Muhammad, executive director for Global Justice/ Student Global AIDS Campaign
Imani Countess, AFSC Africa Program coordinator, former senior fellow of the Africa Policy Information Center (APIC), a past congressional liaison officer for the Africa Development Foundation and former project director of Namibia Information Services.
WHY: The LAUPR is a premier open microphone non-partisan weekly public policy forum that presents top policy makers, community leaders, and activists. It is dedicated to education and community civic engagement. Founded and hosted by award-winning journalist and political commentator Earl Ofari Hutchinson, the Los Angeles Urban Policy Roundtable is the weekly non-partisan public policy forum in Los Angeles.
Cost: $5.00

Sunday, February 26

WHAT: PANEL DISCUSSION: LIFE OVER DEBT AND POVERTY IN AFRICA: THE REAL STORY
WHERE:   Orange Grove Friends Meeting, 526 E. Orange Grove Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91104
WHEN: 1:00 p.m.


WHAT: PANEL DISCUSSION: LIFE OVER DEBT AND POVERTY IN AFRICA: THE REAL STORY
WHERE Santa Monica Friends Meeting, 1440 Harvard St, Santa Monica, CA 90404
WHEN: To be announced


Monday, February 27

WHAT: PANEL DISCUSSION: GLOBAL APARTHEID: DEBT AND GLOBAL ECONOMIC INJUSTICE
WHERE: St. Simon & Jude Church, 20444 Magnolia, Huntington Beach, CA 92646
WHEN: 7:00 p.m.─ 9:00 p.m.
WHO: Kristin Sundell, outreach and congregations coordinator for the Jubilee USA Network
Besinati Mpepo, network coordinator the Civil Society for Poverty Reduction in Zambia
Ntando Ndlovu, acting director for the Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development
Dedrick Muhammad, executive director for Global Justice/ Student Global AIDS Campaign
DETAILS: Conference sponsored by Amnesty International – Huntington Beach Chapter and Be the Cause, a volunteer-run organization that seeks to inspire service by building awareness of global issues and community events. For information, contact Darcie Olson at (949) 742-5524.

All events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted. Sponsored by the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), an international social justice organization and co-recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, the LIFE OVER DEBT IN AFRICA EDUCATIONAL TOUR is part of a national campaign that highlights the need for immediate cancellation of Africa’s debt.

Backed by an 88-year history working for peace, justice and reconciliation in troubled areas of the world, the American Friends Service Committee is a faith-based organization grounded in Quaker beliefs respecting the dignity and worth of every person. AFSC has offices in Los Angeles and across the United States, in addition to many countries of Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Europe that focus on issues related to economic justice, peace-building and demilitarization, social justice, and youth.

# # #

The American Friends Service Committee is a Quaker organization that includes people of various faiths who are committed to social justice, peace and humanitarian service. Its work is based on the belief in the worth of every person and faith in the power of love to overcome violence and injustice.