Advisory - China's Engagement with Africa: Challenges or Opportunities? For
whom?

OTTAWA, March 19 /CNW Telbec/ - Chinese foreign aid to Africa has been praised for its efficiency in implementing projects. But the program has been criticized by some in the international aid community, raising questions about the potential for China's future cooperation with Africa. Renowned academic Dr Xue Lan will be at Canada's International Development Research Centre (IDRC) in Ottawa March 22 to examine China's aid to Africa in the broad context of the country's involvement with the continent. He will analyze the evolution of China's foreign aid policy and its potential for long-term engagement with Africa.

    
    When: Monday, March 22, 2010, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
    Where: IDRC, 150 Kent Street (Corner of Albert), 8th floor
    

Dr Xue Lan is Dean of the School of Public Policy and Management and Executive Vice-President of the Development Research Academy for the 21st Century at the prestigious Tsinghua University in Beijing. His other positions include adjunct professor at Carnegie Mellon University and a fellow of IC2 Institute at the University of Texas. Xue has advised various Chinese government agencies and consulted for a number of international organizations including the World Bank and Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation. He was appointed to IDRC's Board of Governors in 2006.

Xue Lan's lecture is the second in the Speakers of Renown series, which will be held throughout 2010 to mark IDRC's 40th anniversary. Upcoming headliners include are South Africa's Trevor Manuel, who went from anti-apartheid activist to one of the forces that made that country's economy one of the most robust in Africa; Chile's former President Ricardo Lagos, whose research was supported by IDRC at a time when intellectuals were being targeted by the Pinochet dictatorship; and Rima Khalaf Hunaidi, one of the leading voices on development in the Arab world.

The event is open to the media. French and English simultaneous interpretation is available. Spaces are limited and journalists are encouraged to register by calling Isabelle Bourgeault-Tassé at 613-696-2343 or e-mailing at [email protected].

For more information and the live webcast, visit www.idrc.ca/events.

About IDRC

Canada's International Development Research Centre (IDRC) is one of the world's leading institutions in the generation and application of new knowledge to meet the challenges of international development. For 40 years, IDRC has worked in close collaboration with researchers from the developing world to build healthier, more equitable, and more prosperous societies.

For further information: Isabelle Bourgeault-Tassé, Senior Media Advisor, IDRC, [phone], [email protected]