Great Decisions Lecture Series: China's Role in Africa

About the Program
The Covid-19 crisis has put a massive strain on what was growing a positive economic and political relationship between China and the continent of Africa. As Chinese President Xi Jinping's centerpiece "Belt and Road initiative" continues to expand Chinese power, the response to the spread of Covid-19, as well as the African government's growing debt to China, has seen pushback. What are some of the growing economic and political issues between China and Africa?
About the Speaker

Florindo Chivucute is the founder and Executive Director of Friends of Angola (FoA), and Paginas Tech, activist, and blogger. Florindo earned his Master's degree in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from George Mason University and has over 6 years of experience working in non-profit organizations, international development, international relations, peacebuilding, and education while being active in the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP) in the United States. Since founding Friends of Angola in April 2014, he has led the design and implementation of five projects in Angola: Radio Angola (an online radio station); Strengthening Nonviolent Civic Engagement Among the Youth; Strengthening Democracy in Angola Through Community Journalism; Zuela Application – a pro-democracy and social networking smartphone app focused on fostering good governance, eradicating corruption, monitoring elections and human right violations and more. All projects were envisioned as part of a larger theory of change (ToC) to strengthen the capacity of civil society, empower women and youth while promoting nonviolent civic engagement by using new and existing technologies in Angola and the South-Western African Region. These projects were funded by The National Endowment for Democracy (NED), Embassy of Canada in Harare, Zimbabwe and U.S. Embassy in Luanda, Angola. Florindo has also published two research papers: "Urban Youth Activism and the Peace Process in Angola" and "Angola and China - Bilateral Economic Strategy."
About the Moderator

Lina Benabdallah is assistant professor of Politics and International Affairs at Wake Forest University. Her current book project examines China's multilateral foreign policy in continental Africa and seeks to theorize the power dynamics within the seemingly equal Global South diplomatic relations. Her fieldwork research areas include China, Ethiopia, and Kenya. At Wake Forest she teaches courses in international relations, African Studies, and international studies.
Sustaining Series Sponsor

Cyprienne Simchowitz and Jerry White
Supporting Series Sponsor

Nancy Messer
Global Conversation Sponsor

IRC Past Presidents
Great Decisions

Great Decisions is America's largest discussion program on world affairs. The program involves reading the Great Decisions Briefing Book and meeting in a discussion group to discuss the most critical international issues facing the United States, and the global community, today. From libraries, homes, retirement communities, universities, high schools, and more – and now on Zoom – meeting locations are endless.

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