Media Relations
News Releases
For Release Upon Receipt - August 27, 2002
Contact:
Kevin Carleton, 617/353-2240, carleton@bu.edu
ZAMBIA'S KENNETH KAUNDA TO BE FIRST BALFOUR PRESIDENT-IN-RESIDENCE AT BOSTON UNIVERSITY
A Father of African Independence, a Legacy of Democracy in Zambia
Boston, MA — Boston University's African Presidential Archives and Research Center (APARC) has appointed former Zambian President Kenneth D. Kaunda as the first Balfour African President-in-Residence. Charles Stith, director of APARC and former U.S. Ambassador to Tanzania, made the announcement today.
The Balfour Residency enables former heads of state of African democracies to live and work at Boston University for one year. According to Stith, the former presidents will share their insights with faculty and students at the University and with the broader American community on the economies and politics of their countries as well as their insights on contemporary trends and developments in Africa.
The Balfour Residency is funded by a grant from the Balfour Foundation, which is administered by Fleet National Bank, trustee for the Lloyd G. Balfour Foundation.
Dr. Kaunda, 78, was the first President of the Republic of Zambia, serving from its independence in 1964 to November 1991, at which time he relinquished power to Frederick Chiluba after multiparty democratic elections. He played an important role in the struggle for African independence, particularly in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Mozambique, and Angola.
President Kaunda will assume his appointment at Boston University in September 2002.
Former President Kaunda has held many leadership positions in regional and international organizations, including the Pan African Freedom Movement, the Organization of African Unity (OAU), the Southern African Development Conference (SADC), and the Preferential Trade Movement (PTA). He has served as president of the Commonwealth countries and the Non Aligned Movement.
"We are fortunate to have someone of Kenneth Kaunda's stature to inaugurate the Balfour African Presidents-in-Residence Program," said Stith. "President Kaunda is a man for all seasons. He is a living embodiment of Africa's past struggle against colonization, and his commitment to democracy and free market reform makes him a symbol of Africa's present and future challenge to live with globalization."
In addition to hosting former African heads of state, APARC serves as a repository for the documents of democratically elected African leaders and organizes lecture series, academic conferences, and a visiting professors program. Earlier this year, CNN International gave the center videotapes of Inside Africa, its weekly television program about African culture, politics, and business, along with the promise of videotapes of future episodes.
The Balfour Presidents in Residence will travel throughout the United States to meet with American business leaders and government officials, as well as students and teachers.
Boston University is an ideal setting for the African Presidential Archives and Research Center. Its African Studies Center was established in 1953. Over almost five decades, BU has established an international reputation for excellence in teaching and conducting research on Africa, and the University has deep and broad experience in collaborating with institutions in Africa.
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