African Diplomatic Corps Launches Its 2008 Africa Week Celebration and Commemorates the 45th Anniversary of the African Union

WASHINGTON, May 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The African Diplomatic Corps (ADC), the group of ambassadors that represent 53 African countries in the United States of America, will announce its Africa Week Celebration and commemorate the 45th Anniversary of the African Union (AU) on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at 2 p.m. at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

The ADC is working collectively to update Americans on 21st Century Africa. Most Americans are unaware of Africa's progress, development and opportunities and have mainly been exposed to doom and gloom images of the Continent. African diplomats and U.S. elected officials will be on hand for media interviews to discuss the growth of the African continent and mark the uniting of African countries that form the AU.

WHAT: Press Conference to officially launch the Africa Week Celebration and commemorate the 45th Anniversary of the African Union

WHEN: Tuesday, 20 May 2008

2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

WHERE: The National Press Club

Zenger Room

529 14th Street, N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20045

WHO: Ambassador Roble Olhaye, Republic of Djibouti & Dean, African Diplomatic Corps (ADC)

Ambassador Dr. Amadou Lamine Ba, Republic of Senegal

H.E. Mr. Jean Ping, President, African Union Commission

Congressman Donald M. Payne, (D-NJ), chair, sub-committee on Africa and Global Health (House Committee on Foreign Affairs)

John Simon, Vice President, Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC)

Ambassador Ombeni Y. Sefue, Republic of Tanzania & AU representative

Ambassadors representing countries in five regions

WHY: The goal of the ADC is to share a burgeoning Africa with Americans. Balanced information about an Africa that is full of business opportunities, impressive and consistently rising GDP in democratic countries, friendly and hospitable people available as a huge human resource pool is critical for American audiences. The ADC wants Americans to have available knowledge that China and India already are accessing to maximize benefits from many of the countries that are rich in minerals, agricultural products and tourist sites.