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South Sudan Ambassador to Speak About Food Security Feb. 28 at Duke

Goal of conference is to expand opportunities in education and research in Africa

The South Sudan's ambassador will talk about food security during a public symposium on Thursday, Feb. 28, at Duke University. 

"Food Security in Africa:  The Case for South Sudan" is free and open to the public, and takes place from 1-5 p.m. in Goodson Chapel at Duke's Divinity School.

The goal of the event is to foster new relationships and collaborations that will expand opportunities in education and research in Africa for Duke students and faculty. The conference will give attention to the complex cultural, political, economic and environmental issues facing South Sudan in the wake of more than 20 years of civil war.  

Dr. Akec Khoc, ambassador of the Republic of South Sudan, will give the keynote address, and Duke President Richard Brodhead will give the welcome. Norman Wirzba, research professor of theology, ecology and rural life at the Divinity School, will moderate the conference.

Other speakers will include: - Charles Piot, professor of cultural anthropology, African and African American studies, and women's studies at Duke; - Mary Eubanks, adjunct professor of biology at Duke; - Nyuol Tong, Trinity '14, a former refugee from South Sudan and founder of the nonprofit organization Sudan Education for Liberty Foundation (SELF); - Ellen Davis, Amos Ragan Kearns Distinguished Professor of Bible and Practical Theology, at the Divinity School.   Pre-registration is not required. There will be an opportunity for conversation with the speakers at a reception following the symposium; light refreshments will be served. For more information, visit http://www.divinity.duke.edu/news-media/news/20130228sudansymposium or email Mary Eubanks at eubanks@duke.edu. The Duke University Office of Global Strategy and Programs, the Hanscom Endowment and the Divinity School are co-sponsoring the event.