US-Africa Policy: Beyond Exploitation, Extraction & Neglect

Emira Woods, a nominee for Sect. of State on the Progressive Cabinet she is the Co-Director of Foreign Policy In Focus a joint project of the Institute for Policy Studies & International Relations Center. Emira holds a BA in International Relations from Columbia , a certificate in Public Policy from the Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton, a Master's in Government from Harvard, and is ABD in Political Economy and Government at Harvard.

Ms. Woods' expertise in Africa combined with her experience as the Co-Director of Foreign Policy In Focus with a staff of writers whose expertise span the foreign policy spectrum uniquely qualified her to speak as a progressive Secretary of State. On this program we engaged her on issues related to the turbulent and exploited continent of Africa, the extractive history with US and Europe and its special place in the coming century in terms of oil, health, and economic justice. We asked her to reflect on how, as a progressive Secretary of State she would approach American diplomacy, and mobilize diplomatic efforts to build a reputation for the US as a responsible member of the world community and much more.

Emira Woods recently was Program Manager for the Committee on Development Policy and Practice at InterAction, serving as a principal staff contact for advocacy at the UN, the international financial institutions, USAID and Treasury. She designed and implemented a strategic campaign around the Monterrey Financing for Development conference, working with both InterAction members and a broader coalition of Southern and Northern agencies. Prior to this position, she served as Program Officer of Oxfam America's Africa program, which involved outreach to the heads of major international institutions and grassroots groups in the most remote communities. Prior to this position, she served as Program Officer of Oxfam America's Africa program, which involved outreach to the heads of major international institutions and grassroots groups in the most remote communities.

Ms. Woods has recently been interviewed on BBC, CNN, CBC, NewsHour with Jim Lehrer , the Diane Rehm Show, on Liberia and US-Africa Relations. She has hosted a WashingtonPost.com online chat and has published pieces in the Nation, the Baltimore Sun, and the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. Foreign Policy In Focus, an international network of more than 650 policy analysts and advocates, seeks to make the U.S. a more responsible global leader and global partner. Foreign Policy In Focus is committed to advancing a citizen-based foreign policy agenda--one that is fundamentally rooted in citizen initiatives and movements.