Is the Future of New England? Yes, If We’re Ready for It

NATHANIEL BOWDITCH WITH KATE POMPER

he Asian miracle had an extraordinary successful overseas Africans—and backed by the impact on the U.S. West Coast. The descendants of slaves throughout the African Diaspora African miracle, quietly underway now (more than 1 billion people in all)—are beginning to for a decade, could have a similarly pro- achieve an African miracle which over the next 30 Tfound effect on the U.S. East coast—especially for those years will rival the Asian miracle. states that anticipate and embrace it. As this happens, simply because of our geographic America failed to recognize the beginnings of the proximity to the African continent—especially West Asian miracle because in the 1960s, our mindset equat- Africa—the economy and the universities of New ed Asia with struggling, developing countries. We also England stand to gain hugely and disproportionately held uncomplimentary preconceptions about Asians; just like the West Coast economy and universities did we weren’t convinced they were capable of economic as the Asian miracle unfolded. Consider this: leadership. Now history is repeating itself and, even • Kwesi Botchwey, ’s former minister of though free-enterprise democracies have taken hold all finance and now director of Africa research and pro- across the African continent and despite the fact that grams at Harvard’s Center for International many of them are achieving rapid annual growth rates Development, recently told me: “If you look at the reminiscent of the early years of Asia’s emergence, our economic performance of the past three or four years, mindset stands in the way: a color-laden mindset, rein- the numbers are encouraging. There are countries forced by our own tormented American racial precon- (, Botswana, Mauritius, Ghana, La Cote ceptions, of a “dark continent” and a “Black Africa” D’Ivoire, Mozambique for example) with a good policy paralyzed by disease, drought and dictatorship. environment, which are stable from a macroeconomic Most Americans, including most New Englanders— point of view and are also politically stable.” be they bankers, investors or educators; secretaries, • The chief economist of the International Finance carpenters or construction workers—imagine Africa as Corp. observed in a speech last fall: “A dozen a monolithic land of despair. They don’t think about a economies whose markets add up to $170 billion continent of 53 countries, 48 of them the so-called sub- or 60 percent of Africa’s total, are showing definite Saharan African nations, each with its own distinct cul- signs of progress. Their combined GDP has been ture, economic base and aspirations. We must change growing at nearly 5 percent a year during the past our mindset because the 700 million citizens of those five years [and] their exports have been expanding at African nations, joined by millions of highly educated, 7 percent annually.”

PHOTOS BY NATHANIEL BOWDITCH.

34 NEW ENGLAND BOARD OF HIGHER EDUCATION • In March 1998, “to help the America is not taking much notice and nei- New England state featured at least five American people see the new Africa” ther is New England. Asian nations on its top 20 list of export President Clinton visited six countries: When members and guests of the New buyers. Maine had nine; five economic high-flyers—Senegal, England Economic Project gathered in and Connecticut, eight; Rhode Island Ghana, Uganda, South Africa and May to hear Zurich Financial Group Chief and Vermont, six; and New Hampshire, Botswana—and Rwanda, where he apol- Global Economist David Hale meticulous- five. But the real American beneficiaries ogized for American inaction during that ly describe the state of world markets, of the Asian miracle were the West Coast country’s dreadful ethnic cleansing. they heard valuable inside information on states, in particular, California. During that trip, the Sunday Europe, Asia and South America, and A geographically large, economically Globe reported that “burgeoning stock they heard exactly what they expected to diverse state—not unlike New England’s markets ... a rise in exports and a 5 per- hear about Africa: nothing. six states taken together—California has cent annual increase in the continent’s Among the 33 Yale seniors “pursuing positioned itself carefully vis-a-vis Asia, gross domestic product for the past sev- research projects in far-flung corners of invested heavily and benefited greatly eral years are shattering Africa’s stereo- the globe” through Yale Summer from the Asian miracle. type as a financial basket case.” The New Traveling Fellowships, only one is head- How much did Asian growth over the York Times said about President Clinton’s ed for Africa, based on an eyeballing of past 40 years contribute to the growth of visit to Uganda that he “will be entering itineraries published recently in the Yale the U.S. West Coast states? Did this West a country that is a far cry from the dirt- Bulletin and Calendar. Coast growth come perhaps at the poor and oppressed nation ruled by Hundreds of New Englanders (almost expense of the Northeast’s longstanding Milton Obote and Idi Amin in the 1970s all of African descent) did gather at leadership in research and development, and 1980s. Uganda has seen an average Boston’s John F. Kennedy Library in July high technology and manufacturing? growth of 6.7 percent for the 12 years of 1999 for a regional conference organized In its December 1988 issue, The President Yoweri K. Museveni’s tenure.” by the Boston Pan-African Forum to Economist gushed about Asia and its • The fastest growing world economy explore issues around education, economic impact on California, blaring: in the three decades leading up to 1997 development, quality of life, democracy • “America’s shores are washed by was not in East Asia. It was Botswana, and peace on the African continent. The the Pacific as well as by the Atlantic, and whose per-capita income grew at an event was organized as the New England some people think that American inter- average rate of 9 percent annually during Regional Forum of the multiyear National ests lie more with the countries of East that period, according to the World Bank. Summit on Africa project, whose goal is to Asia than with those of Western Europe.” • Ghana’s stock exchange is “one of heighten the interest of Americans in a • “The rise of Asia is one of the the world’s best performing stock mar- continent with which most have no per- biggest stories of this half-century. ... In kets,” according to The Economist maga- sonal or financial connection. That this the quarter century that began in 1960 zine. “Building, tourism, technology and event was even held in New England is a the East Asian economies grew at an financial services provide more than 46 testament to the leadership and determi- average real rate of 6 percent a year. ... percent of national income and are usu- nation of MIT Professor Emeritus Willard East Asia’s share of gross world product ally cited for the country’s average annu- Johnson. Notably, however, New more than doubled during 1967-87, from al growth of nearly 5 percent for more England’s African Summit was held on a 8 percent to 20 percent. Its share of man- than 12 years.” Friday night and Saturday, probably ufactured exports went from 8 percent to • South Africa is the Japan of Africa. because most participants couldn’t justify 18 percent, of imports of all kinds from The Harvard Business School Bulletin attendance as part of their real jobs. 12 percent to 17 percent.” recently quoted Harvard Business School • “Californians of Asian descent Professor Richard H.K. Vietor as saying, ASIAN PARALLEL already make a bigger splash in the “The driving force behind the region’s Asian matters weren’t seen so differently state’s university system. They account growth is South Africa. South Africa pro- through American eyes 30 years ago. for 25 percent of this year’s entering duces 20 percent of Africa’s GNP.” The Since then, the Asian miracle—led by class at the University of California at Los Bulletin quotes his B-School colleague, postwar Japan and joined by Hong Kong, Angeles. ... Asian money is contributing Associate Professor Robert J. Robinson, Taiwan, China and a handful of “Asian along with Asian people. Japan has, after as saying: “South Africa is a regional tigers” (Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Canada, the biggest single stake of for- superpower. For those who can access South Korea, Malaysia)—has transformed eign capital in California; its companies it, the country has a First World infra- a continent. The formula was simple. are, bar none, the biggest foreign source structure—financial institutions, health These nations provided low-cost manu- of employment in the state.” care and transportation, for instance— facturing to an increasingly global econo- • “Californians do know more about and it is rich in natural resources.” my, fueling the creation of an indigenous Asia and pay more attention to it than The countries that America and New middle class whose consumer demand New Yorkers—as well they might, con- England should be watching carefully are: opened huge new markets for a wide sidering where so much of their money South Africa, Botswana, , assortment of products: CDs, telephones, is coming from.” Mauritius, Mozambique, Uganda, Lesotho, life insurance policies, roads, sewer sys- If California’s head was already turn- Mauritania, Ethiopia and, in West Africa— tems, Stephen King novels, home loans ing West in 1988, consider these more closest to New England’s shores—Ghana, and mutual funds, razor blades, comput- recent statistics from the California Trade Senegal, La Cote D’Ivoire, Benin, The ers and fast food restaurants. and Commerce Agency. Gambia and (with its brand new As that happened, New England cer- In 1996, California was the national democratic government). But so far, tainly benefited. In 1998, every single leader in foreign direct investment with

CONNECTION/SUMMER 1999 35 3,500 foreign affiliates (accounting for and Anchorage with the Russian Far East such as California leveraged the Asian more than $100 billion in assets). Not cities of Vladivostok, Khabarovsk (just miracle into opportunities for their states. one New England state ranked in the top north of Vladivostok) and Yuzhno Third, we need to talk to our 10 in terms of foreign direct investment. Sakhalinsk (on the Island of Sakhalin, Congressional representatives, inform In 1996, 48 percent of California’s for- just North of Japan). Though huge, the them of this strategic new New England eign investment came from Asia versus Russian Far East is not well-known and global perspective and ask that they start 26 percent nationally. its economy has been declining for paying attention to African issues and In 1996, Asian and Pacific Rim coun- years. Nevertheless, Alaska has a sister opportunities, learning new tricks from tries accounted for a majority of all for- state relationship with Sakhalin Island. their West Coast colleagues and fighting eign-owned commercial property in The president of the Anchorage for resources to support a New England California: $18 billion, of which Japan Chamber of Commerce recently com- (or U.S. East Coast) Africa initiative. accounted for $14 billion. pleted a business association technical Fourth, we need to concern ourselves Meanwhile, the Organization for assistance mission to the cities of anew with preconceptions about race International Investment reports that the Yuzhno Sakhalinsk and Khabarovsk. and geography, lest the Africans con- 549,000 California workers employed by And an executive of the Greater Seattle clude they would rather do business U.S. subsidiaries of foreign companies in Chamber of Commerce (40 percent of all with Southern states whose African her- 1995 constituted 5 percent of California’s U.S. trade to and from Russia enters the itage and more aggressive relationship- total workforce, up from 3.2 percent in country through Seattle) did the same building programs make them more 1987. And between 1980 and 1995, three months ago. Portland, Ore., has a attractive partners. California employment at U.S. sub- sister city relationship with Khabarovsk. Fifth, the six New England states need to sidiaries of foreign-owned companies And the list of connections goes on. resolve not to go it alone on this one. Each increased more than four times faster There are two reasons for all this New England state is too small, its resources than all jobs in California. exchange activity. First, our fellow West too limited to make the necessary impact It isn’t just California. The Tacoma Coast American citizens have learned on those 15 or so emerging African News Tribune, under the headline how (and where) their bread is buttered. economies that are leading the way. “NUMBER OF WORKERS EMPLOYED BY Second, a few years ago—with prodding Connecticut is off to a great start with its NON-U.S. COMPANIES GREW NEARLY from U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska)— “Demystifying Africa” initiative. But the 300 PERCENT OVER 15 YEARS” reported Vice President Al Gore and the then region needs to open relationships together. as follows: “With Japanese and Taiwanese Russian Prime Minister Victor In the words of Kwesi Botchwey: “New investment in Washington plants and fac- Chernomyrdin signed a long-term agree- England is a hub of liberal democratic tories booming ... the number of workers ment establishing a number of U.S. gov- thinking and practice, has a unique con- employed in Washington state by foreign ernment programs to foster a new centration of schools and universities, a companies and their subsidiaries grew relationship between the U.S. West Coast long tradition of student connections [with from 21,100 to 81,500 during the 15-year and the emerging Russian Far East. This Africa], a substantial group of African pro- period from 1980-1995.” Oregon’s foreign has made it possible for legislators, may- fessionals, respected African studies pro- subsidiary employment was up by 365 ors, businesspeople, professors, venture grams and thriving African communities. percent between 1980-1995! capitalists and various Russian Far East New England can harness these resources, The Asian miracle seems also to have project directors to travel back and forth provide a political forum for debate and left its mark on higher education on the and to implement an assortment of spe- mobilize civil society. The seeds are here. U.S. West Coast, particularly California. cial initiatives. All this because U.S. poli- They just need to be watered.” In 1996, according to the U.S. cymakers take Russia and Asia seriously, Where to focus? Department of Education, Asian- and U.S. West Coast leaders have learned Education. America’s Western gover- Americans and Pacific Islanders account- from the Asian miracle growth years how nors have joined forces to create a virtual ed for 328,000 of California’s college and important it is to leverage their political university to respond to the lifelong learn- university students, or 17 percent of the clout in Washington into special pro- ing needs of their widely dispersed popu- state’s higher education enrollment. grams to grow new global connections. lations. New England’s distance education In the same year, all New England Enough of the parallels between Asia resources, though less developed, could enrolled 36,114 Asian-Americans and and Africa. So how will New England be harnessed to meet the African conti- Pacific Islanders, or just 5 percent of its catch the African wave? nent’s huge demand for education. higher education enrollment. Investment. The 1998 World Bank Even with these low numbers, four of FIVE STEPS annual report states: “Long-term private six New England states enrolled more First, we need to significantly raise our capital flows to Africa have increased Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders awareness of sub-Saharan Africa and from $4 billion in 1996 to $8 billion in than they did African-American students understand more about the emerging 1997 but remain a fraction of the $256 in 1996. African economies, what they need to billion total flows to developing coun- continue their advance and how New tries. Africa must attract more investment NOW RUSSIA England resources—especially the [and] not only from foreigners. ... Some I recently went to the Russian Far East region’s private sector and education 37 percent of African assets are held on an assignment in support of five resources—can best respond. abroad ... higher than for any other Russian small business associations. I Second, we need to learn a lot more region.” Equator Bank of Hartford, traveled aboard Aeroflot #855/856, a about the impact of the Asian miracle on Conn., is focused entirely on sub- twice-weekly flight connecting Seattle the West Coast, particularly how states Saharan Africa. But it is virtually alone.

36 NEW ENGLAND BOARD OF HIGHER EDUCATION Yet New England is the mutual fund cap- Internet Service. Are other New England capital of the United States and a major ital of the world, a venture capital center companies getting their fair share of infra- biotechnology center. Couldn’t a New and probably the repository for much of structure projects targeted to the most England-West Africa AIDS coalition be cre- these African assets. Special investment rapidly emerging African nations? And ated as a partnership between that exper- packages—possibly with the support of shouldn’t at least one airline offer at least tise and the region’s philanthropic leaders? the federal government—could be mobi- one scheduled flight from New England Are we ready for it? Are we up to it? lized to underwrite infrastructure and to at least one African destination? If so, Africa may indeed be the future of private sector initiatives in the most AIDS. Despite all the good news com- New England. ■ rapidly emerging African nations. ing out of Africa, AIDS is a tremendous Infrastructure. Roads, water, sewer problem and a serious challenge to devel- Nathaniel Bowditch is a senior fellow systems, airports, electricity and telecom- opment. New England is the health care at the New England Board of Higher munications are the backbone of eco- Education and author of “The Last nomic growth and development. Emerging Market: From Asian Tigers to Raytheon has longstanding relationships African Lions? The Ghana File,” from with African countries, building Praeger. Kate Pomper is an economics methanol plants, airports and radar sys- major at the University of Virginia. tems. Prodigy operates an Africa Online

New England and Africa The Higher Education Connection

LAURA GHIRARDINI

frican nations need sound educa- New York City-based Institute for dents traveled to the United States for tional systems to foster develop- International Education (IIE). In 1997-98, study, up 5 percent from the previous A ment and participate in the New England enrolled 40,000 foreign year. More than 1,800 of those stu- global economy, but most lack the acade- students—almost 9 percent of all foreign dents—about 8 percent of all African stu- mic infrastructure to educate their fast- students in the United States. Boston dents in the United States—studied in growing young populations. As a result, an University enrolled 4,603, ranking sec- New England. increasing number of African college stu- ond nationally. Harvard enrolled 3,249, Meanwhile, just 2,500 U.S. college stu- dents will turn abroad for education. At the ranking 10th. The region also attracted dents studied in Africa in 1996-97, accord- same time, “educational institutions in the more than 7,000 foreign research schol- ing to the latest IIE study-abroad data. But United States have much to gain from col- ars—11 percent of the U.S. total. Harvard that number was up 27 percent from a laboration with Africa,” according to edu- University ranked first among U.S. uni- year earlier. Nearly 350 New England col- cation experts behind the New England versities in foreign scholars; MIT ranked lege students studied in Africa, most of Regional Forum of the National Summit on sixth; and ranked 20th. them in or South Africa. Africa held in Boston in July 1999. Most foreign students and scholars Who will Africa’s education partners be? are from Asia and Europe. In the 1980s PROGRAMS PROLIFERATING Where will African leaders look for models? and early 1990s, the Asian economic A 1987 New England Board of Higher New England—with its world-famous miracle brought prosperity to both Education report on The Impact of higher education institutions and prox- “Asian tiger” nations and American col- Economic Globalization on Higher imity to Africa—is a natural choice. The lege towns, as more than 250,000 stu- Education examined a wide range of region, home to 260 colleges and uni- dents from Japan, China, South Korea foreign language and area studies pro- versities, lies just 4,000 miles from Dakar, and other Asian countries flocked to U.S. grams on New England campuses. Senegal—that’s not much farther than campuses annually, bringing hard cash At that time, both foreign enrollment Paris, and several thousand miles closer and invaluable diversity, while inspiring and study abroad were growing rapidly. than Tokyo, with whom New England lasting Asian studies initiatives. But the region’s new enthusiasm for enjoys thriving academic relationships. Might an African miracle bring similar international issues focused on East Asia benefits? and Canada. And the 1987 study FOREIGN ENROLLMENT Already, African exchanges are revealed few area studies programs and New England has been a magnet for for- becoming more common. In 1997-98, partnerships between New England eign students, according to data from the more than 23,000 African college stu- higher education and Africa, save the

CONNECTION/SUMMER 1999 37 African Studies Center at BU, one of the the African Virtual University, UMass and colleges will take classes at the University nation’s largest and oldest. several other U.S. and European institu- of Cape Town, while working on commu- Since that time, the number and tions provide live and videotaped engi- nity service projects. scope of New England programs involv- neering courses via satellite to students ing Africa have grown dramatically, and in more than 40 countries. Recently, the DIVERSE CONNECTIONS others are in the works. UMass Video Instructional Program has New England higher education’s Africa Suffolk University, for example, expanded its African distance learning connections are diverse, running the gamut recently established a campus in Senegal, endeavors to include other engineering from Maine Maritime Academy’s work with at the far western tip of Africa. The cam- and computer science courses, and addi- marine oil-spill response officials from pus at the Ecole Nationale d’Economie tional courses in computer science and South Africa, Namibia and Mauritius, to a Applique in Dakar will offer a bachelor’s French are planned. University of Connecticut professor’s work degree program in business for African Faculty at Central Connecticut State training villagers and professionals in students. The program is unique in that it University and Manchester Community- Madagascar in conservation techniques. enables African students to begin their Technical College are exploring develop- The Amherst and Worcester campuses undergraduate education in Africa, per- ment of on-line courses for Ghanaian of UMass were recently awarded haps saving two years of room and students, who sometimes wait up to six $460,000 from the U.S. Agency for board, before going on to earn degrees years for a slot at a local university. International Development to fund a from Suffolk or another U.S. institution. “There is a need in Ghana, because many range of health-related collaborative “With the globalization of higher edu- students have passed requirements and teaching, research and community ser- cation, it makes sense for a university to been accepted to college, but there is not vices projects in South Africa. One reason have a global strategy,” says Suffolk enough space in universities there,” says UMass was selected for the grant, accord- President David J. Sargent. “We are Evelyn Phillips, coordinator of African ing to project director John Cunningham: responding to a demand for American- studies at Central Connecticut State. South Africans haven’t forgotten the uni- style business education that combines A distance learning program would versity’s relatively early opposition to practical and theoretical approaches to cater to students who cannot afford to apartheid and its decision to divest. learning. In turn, we have much to learn travel abroad to study. Most students in Last March, UConn capitalized on its as our faculty members teach in Senegal Ghana have access to computers in pub- connections with prominent African fig- and Senegalese students take part in class- lic places if they do not have a comput- ures when campus officials signed an room discussions here on Beacon Hill.” er at home, says Phillips. agreement making the university the Jim Sintros, an international consultant official North American depository for to Suffolk, notes that Senegal’s political ABROAD IN AFRICA materials related to the African National stability made the former French colony A growing number of New England insti- Congress (ANC) and its struggle for particularly attractive for such an tutions—ranging from Brown, Yale, Tufts human rights in South Africa. exchange. In addition, says Sintros, the and Boston universities to the School for As part of the agreement, UConn Senegalese minister of higher education is Field Studies in Beverly, Mass.—offer plans to open a Center for Oral History committed to leaving an American-style study-abroad programs in Africa. whose staff will interview more than 200 educational system as his legacy. “The Vermont’s School for International ANC leaders including South African minister is eager to change from the cur- Training (SIT), meanwhile, is a major President Nelson Mandela. In addition, rent French system to the American sys- sponsor of African programs for students UConn and the University of Fort Hare in tem of education, which he feels is from a variety of institutions in New South Africa agreed to exchange faculty, superior,” Sintros says. England and beyond. staff and students, conduct an annual The Suffolk exchange will also feature In 1982, SIT sent the first group of 10 conference on comparative human rights a summer educational and cultural tour on students to Africa for a Kenya upcountry and co-publish the first journal on com- Dakar’s Goree Island, the historic depar- program. By 1998-99, 543 students from parative human rights. ture point for Africans captured for the throughout the United States were “The partnership is a strategic decision slave trade, which has become an impor- enrolled in 17 SIT programs in Africa, because of the commonality of the history tant cultural site for African-Americans. ranging from Biodiversity and of race relations in the United States and Conservation in to Arts and in South Africa,” said Amii Omara-Otunnu, VIRTUAL AFRICA? Social Change in , according associate professor of history and head of Links between New England colleges to Associate Director of Admissions the project. “We can learn a lot from them, and Africa may get a boost from new Laurie Black. With 37 percent of SIT and they can learn a lot from us.” information technologies. As New study-abroad students already destined UConn was selected for the project England Board of Higher Education for Africa, the school has planned new because of the high-caliber archival facil- President John C. Hoy noted recently at ventures in La Cote d’Ivoire and Senegal. ities at UConn’s Thomas J. Dodd a Boston conference on distance learn- Elsewhere, Central Connecticut State Research Center as well its established ing: “The Information Revolution adds a College last year signed a formal student linkages with African notables. Narissa new dimension to the global appeal of and faculty exchange agreement with the Ramdhani, director of the ANC historical going to college in New England.” , Legon. Colby College archives project, received a master’s The University of Massachusetts at is joining Bowdoin and Bates colleges to degree from UConn in 1990, and Naomi Amherst has been transmitting courses establish a consortium for study abroad Tutu, daughter of Nobel Peace Prize on circuit analysis to students in Africa with a site in Cape Town, South Africa. winner Archbishop Desmond Tutu, via satellite since 1996. Working through About 15 students drawn from the three taught at UConn’s School of Education.

38 NEW ENGLAND BOARD OF HIGHER EDUCATION The human rights theme is prominent African studies curriculum. The center to public schools throughout Connecticut in New England’s Africa programs. has formal links to universities in Niger, to share their knowledge of Africa. The New England School of Law Ethiopia and South Africa, where more Other New England colleges are operates the Rwanda Genocide Program, joint research and exchange programs engaged in projects to raise awareness providing legal research and analysis to are being developed, according to center about Africa. In early 1998, Brown and the United Nations International Criminal director James McCann. Brandeis universities, Bates, Dartmouth Tribunal for Rwanda in Kigali, Rwanda. Harvard’s W.E.B. DuBois Institute for College and others participated in the With a grant from the Oak Foundation, Afro-American Research recently released annual “African Peace Tour,” an American Colby has established a fellowship a CD-ROM on the history, geography and Friends Service Committee program which enabling practitioners in human rights to culture of Africa and people of African allows African dignitaries to share views on spend a semester at the college as schol- descent. DuBois, himself, believed that African policy issues with college students ars-in-residence. The 1999-2000 Oak cataloging blacks’ contributions would in different regions of the United States. Fellow is Dydier Kamundu, a 29-year-old help fight racism. The AIDS Institute at The 11-day New England tour was human rights activist who fled from the Harvard’s School of Public Health has timed to coincide with President Clinton’s Democratic Republic of Congo to protect undertaken projects in Senegal, Tanzania 1998 visit to Africa. A team of African his family and himself. Kamundu, a baker and Ethiopia. And the Harvard Institute of activists and artists made 35 stops as part before ethnic strife turned his homeland International Development is involved in of the six-state program to promote citizen into a battleground, taught himself law strengthening market systems and action on U.S. foreign policy issues such as and began a human rights organization in women’s education in South Africa. slavery in Mauritania and the African arms a small shack in Goma, where he docu- Since 1989, the Yale Center for trade. The enthusiasm of New England mented legal protests of arbitrary arrests International and Area Studies has been participants has prompted organizers to and other abuses. convening teachers in New Haven for a plan another “mini-tour” for the region. two-week “Teaching of Africa” program That level of enthusiasm suggests that AFRICA THINK TANKS designed to improve curricula on Africa. New England colleges and universities New England’s think tanks also have The goal is to expose stereotypes and are ready to reap the benefits of a their eyes on Africa. The African Studies myths about Africa that perpetuate preju- strengthening U.S.-Africa relationship. ■ Center at Boston University, established dice, according to Maxwell Amoh, the in 1953, was one of the first U.S. gradu- center’s director of outreach. Yale also Laura Ghirardini is a NEBHE research ate programs to offer a multidisciplinary sends graduate students in African studies analyst.

CONNECTION/SUMMER 1999 39