President Obama could have amplified the impact of his speech in Africa last week, if he had invited two prominent Africans—Kofi Annan and Dr. Mo Ibrahim-- to Ghana with him.  Both illustrate his central theme that “Africa’s future is up to Africans.” 

Tonight, at InterAction’s Forum 2009, I am honored to be introducing the former president of Refugees International, Lionel Rosenblatt, as he receives the prestigious Julia Taft Award.  The award acknowledges the extraordinary efforts of individuals and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to the humanitarian and development community, and it is difficult to think of anyone more deserving of this award than Lionel. The following is a transcript of my introduction:

President Obama’s speech to the Muslim World in Cairo was a complete home run.

He highlighted the shared religious values of peace and justice that unify the People of the Book--Jews, Christians and Muslims who live by their Holy texts, the Talmud, the Bible and the Koran. He addressed the differences that currently divide the faiths, and he proposed paths for dialogue, partnership and peace in the future.

We live in a nation of second-guessers, and I am one of them.

On the night of Sunday, May 10, I went to the American Museum of Natural History in New York as part of the live audience for the final episode of The Celebrity Apprentice.  One contestant, professional poker player Annie Duke, was playing for Refugees International (every contestant plays for a charity).  I was certain she was going to win, but at the end of the three-hour finale to the reality TV series, Donald Trump pointed at her and said:  "Annie, you're fired."  

The following was featured on UN Dispatch to mark the passing of World Malaria Day: 

When Refugees International visited the Nyabiheke camp for Congolese refugees in Rwanda, we asked a doctor there to describe the camp's biggest health problem and her most urgent need. Without hesitation, Dr. Ann Kao said the biggest problem in the camp was malaria, and her biggest need was bed nets to protect families from mosquito bites in their sleep.

When President Obama met with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki in Baghdad last week, he mentioned the U.S. interest in helping displaced Iraqis return home.  Currently, 20% of Iraq’s population is displaced—almost five million people—and it is increasingly clear that neither Iraq nor the region as a whole can be stable and secure as long as this large-scale displacement continues. 

Sunday, March 8th

I have just arrived in Iraq with two colleagues to study ways in which the U.S., The United Nations and the government of Iraq can work better together to help millions of displaced Iraqis return home. Everybody--Iraqis, U.S. and international officials--agrees that security in Iraq has improved dramatically in the last few months, although there are still acts of violence and other security challenges.

President Obama’s speech on U.S. policy in Iraq Friday was significant for two reasons.  First, he announced that “by August 31, 2010, our combat mission in Iraq will end” and that “I intend to remove all U.S. troops from Iraq by the end of 2011.”  Second, he said that the U.S. will work with Iraq and other countries in the region “to help the millions of displaced Iraqis.”

Three years ago the bombing of the Al-Askari Mosque, a Shi’ah holy site in Samarra, triggered a wave of sectarian violence in Iraq that led to massive displacement. At one point five million Iraqis - 20% of the population - was displaced by violence between Sunni and Shi’ah Muslims.

Recently, the displacement has slowed, and in some cases it is reversing.  "Some Iraqis are returning, but their conditions in places of return are extremely difficult," The International Organization for Migration reported in its most recent Emergency Needs Assessment.  "Many returnees are coming back to find destroyed homes and infrastructure in disrepair. Buildings, pipe and electrical networks, and basic public services such as health care centers are all in need of rehabilitation to meet the needs of returning IDP (internally displaced persons) and refugee families."

Richard Holbrooke, the Obama administration’s special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, knows first hand that peacemaking can be dangerous and difficult.  He dedicated To End A War, his book on the negotiations that ended the war in the Balkans 15 years ago, to three colleagues who died in the early stages of that effort.

In announcing the appointment last week, President Obama said:  “There is no answer in Afghanistan that does not confront the Al Qaida and Taliban bases along the border, and there will be no lasting peace unless we expand spheres of opportunity for the people of Afghanistan and Pakistan.”