At the end of March 2011, Myanmar began an ambitious political transition led by newly elected President Thein Sein. Bold moves in his first year included opening a dialogue with opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, suspending construction of the Chinese-funded Myitsone Dam, and abandoning a grossly overvalued exchange rate in favor of a marketdetermined rate.

Hurricane Sandy ravaged the East Coast of the U.S. this week, causing widespread damage and school closures. The effects of the storm are a powerful reminder of the type of disaster experienced by many communities around the globe and the need for effective relief. It also brings into focus the role education can play in preparing for and preventing natural disaster.

On July 9, 2012, South Sudan will celebrate its first anniversary as an independent and sovereign state. The January 2011 referendum effectively ended the prolonged, violent confrontation between the Republic of Sudan and the territories that would ultimately gain independence as South Sudan. This development marked an important stage in the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement [CPA]. In addition to regulating relations between the two feuding parties from 2005 to 2011, the CPA also implemented the framework for the creation of two separate nations.

INTRODUCTION

Africa, Governance, Global Food Crisis, Developing Countries, Development

Julius Agbor, Africa Research Fellow, Global Economy and Development, Africa Growth Initiative

Nelipher Moyo, Research Analyst, Global Economy and Development, Africa Growth Initiative

The Brookings Institution

EVENT SUMMARY

In the aftermath of the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis that struck northeast Japan on March 11, Japan has faced multiple challenges and crises. As Japan has begun major reconstruction efforts in the affected areas, worked to regain control of damaged nuclear power plants, and carried out large-scale humanitarian relief efforts, the rest of the nation has steadily returned to normal life. Although the effects of the disaster will undoubtedly be felt for some time to come, Japan’s efforts to return to normal mark a major step toward recovery.

North Korea, Human Rights, Northeast Asia, Asia, Foreign Aid

Roberta Cohen, Nonresident Senior Fellow, Foreign Policy

38 North, U.S.-Korea Institute at SAIS

This speech was delivered at the Nansen Conference on Climate Change and Displacement on June 7, 2011 in Oslo, Norway.

I would like to very much thank the Norwegian government and people of Norway for inviting me to this Conference and for their continued support to the mandate on the human rights of IDPs. I am also honoured to have assumed the mandate from a distinguished jurist and humanitarian, Professor Walter Kälin, and would like to show my appreciation for his outstanding work.

Rebecca Winthrop, Director, Center for Universal Education Anda Adams, Associate Director , Global Economy and Development, Center for Universal Education The Brookings Institution