President of Madagascar to Speak at JHU SAIS Millennium Challenge Corp. Awards First Grant to Madagascar to Reduce Poverty

The Johns Hopkins University Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) will host a forum, "The Millennium Challenge Corporation-Madagascar Compact: A Partnership for Poverty Reduction Through Growth," on Tuesday, 04/19 at 10 a.m. (previously scheduled for 04/8).

Marc Ravalomanana, president of Madagascar, will give the forum's keynote remarks. SAIS Dean Jessica P. Einhorn and Paul Applegarth, chief executive officer of Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), will give introductory remarks.

The U.S. government established Millennium Challenge Corporation in 01/2004 as an innovative foreign assistance program designed to reduce poverty by promoting sustainable economic growth. MCC and Madagascar will sign a four-year, nearly $110 million compact at a State Department ceremony on Monday, 04/18. MCC selects countries as eligible for grants based on their demonstrated commitment to just rule, investment in people, and the promotion of economic freedom. This will be the first compact awarded by MCC, which has been appropriated a total of $2.5 billion in Congressional funding through 09/2005.

Following the president's remarks, Gilbert Khadiagala, acting director of the SAIS African Studies Program, will moderate a discussion of panelists from the government of Madagascar and MCC about the compact development and implementation process. Panelists include:

· Emma Ralijon, Millennium Challenge Account coordinator for the presidency of Madagascar

· John Hewko, MCC vice president of country programs

· Michael Grossman, MCC country director for Francophone Africa

The event, free and open to the public, will be held in Kenney Auditorium located on the first floor of the school's Nitze Building, 1740 Massachusetts Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. Members of the public should RSVP to [email protected] (please put "SAIS" in subject line) or 202.521.3850.

Members of the media that plan to cover the event must register with Felisa Neuringer Klubes at the SAIS Public Affairs Office at 202.663.5626 or [email protected].