April 20, 2021 | 12-2pm
The Global Fragility Act was signed into law last year but has yet to be implemented. The Biden Administration has a chance to build upon this strategy by realigning U.S. diplomatic, development, and defense efforts in a way that reduces instability in countries that are at risk of violent conflict and extremism. By partnering with communities and governments in fragile states to address the drivers of conflict, such as human rights abuses, social and economic exclusion, corruption, and impunity, the U.S. can renew its commitment to American leadership on democracy and human rights globally. This panel discussion will include challenges and opportunities in implementing this new peacebuilding strategy.
This event is co-sponsored by OJMCHE, Mercy Corps, Never Again Coalition, PSU’s Holocaust and Genocide Studies Project, WorldOregon, The Immigrant Story, Oregon Historical Society, and First Congregational United Church of Christ.
We are grateful for your participation and encourage you to consider supporting our virtual programs.
Alexandra Davis has worked with Senator Coons for five years where she has advised on appropriations and foreign policy issues. She previously served as a U.S. Fulbright Fellow in South Africa where she worked with the Development Bank of Southern Africa to study the socioeconomic impact of retail investment in townships. Davis received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Delaware.
Maurice Amollo is Technical Director for Africa Region at Mercy Corps—providing technical direction and programmatic quality support to Mercy Corps’ 17 country programs and initiatives across the continent. He is a peacebuilding and development expert with over 21 years of experience providing technical support, oversight, and management of development and conflict mitigation programs. He has directed Peacebuilding, youth and election violence prevention programs, and a number of Resilience Building projects in complex crisis; demonstrating the ability to mobilize and organize governments, civil society, clerics, and local community against ethnic-and resource-based violent conflicts, countering violent extremism (CVE) and abuse of human rights. He has a solid understanding of the social dynamics that underpin development in transitional environments through both academic and practical experience. Mr. Amollo has a strong interest on how the exclusion of youth from the management of public affairs and economic opportunities undermine the capacity of nations to govern themselves and increase the chances of conflict. He is known for creating an environment that cultivates high-public/private sector collaboration that value learning and problem-solving. He has a master’s in International Peace Studies from the University of Notre Dame, Indiana.
Dina Esposito, Vice President for Technical Leadership, Mercy Corps. With over 25 years of international relief, development, and post-conflict reconstruction experience, Dina Esposito leverages her expertise to maximize the efficiency and impact of Mercy Corps’ programs around the world. Dina joined Mercy Corps in 2017, drawn to the organization’s approach of addressing the root causes of instability by combining peacebuilding and development work. She is motivated to do humanitarian work by a belief that all global citizens have a responsibility to advance shared peace and prosperity. Prior to Mercy Corps, Dina held positions at USAID, the U.S. State Department, and with a nonprofit organization in Ethiopia and Kenya working on peacebuilding and governance. She holds a master’s degree from John Hopkins University, where she studied U.S. foreign policy in Africa and international economics.