Out of Africa

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The event will start on: Tuesday, 15 March 2011 6:00 PM

And will end on: Tuesday, 15 March 2011 7:30 PM

At The Glover Cottages, Sydney

124 Kent Street , Sydney NSW

02 9247 8504     nsw.branch@aiia.asn.au

Posted by: nsw   

It is not often that we are able to put together an event which sheds light on two important aspects of Africa, one recent, another of historical importance, a story of deceit and intrigue.

First, Sophie Ryan.

When we asked our members recently how they would like us to approach the work of international agencies in some of the world's most dangerous trouble spots, they said they would like to hear from people who had inside knowledge of the sharp end of Africa.

Sophie Ryan exactly fits that description. A Sydney lawyer by training, she accepted a posting with the United Nations in the area of prison reform. This led her to Sudan, where she gained first-hand experience of working amid one of the worst humanitarian crises of this century. The back up for her mission in Sudan was minimal, despite the nature of her employer, and she had to face extreme circumstances, with only her courage and initiative to guide her. Sophie will give her account with an illustrated presentation, and will be available to answer questions and to meet our members.

Alex Mitchell

Our second presentation in Out of Africa will be the seasoned Australian journalist, Alex Mitchell, who is back in Sydney to cover the NSW state election. (For many years he was state political reporter of the Sun Herald). Perhaps less well known is that he was one of the very few television journalists ever to interview theThe infamous President Idi Amin of Uganda. During Amin's bloody rule, more than 300,000 people were slaughtered.  Amin liked to refer to himself as  “His Excellency President for life, Field Marshal Al Hadji Dr Idi Amin, PC, DSO, MC, conqueror of the British Empire in Africa in general, and Uganda in particular “.

Alex writes about his unusual encounters with Amin in a memoir to be published later this year. (an extract appeared recently in the Australian Financial Review ). But there is more to the story than a chance meeting in a swimming pool in Kampala. Alex will tell all on Tuesday March 15.

We expect a full house for this event, so please book now.