Former ambassador to discuss U.S. policy toward Africa in Benedictine lecture

What is the United States' policy toward Africa?

Robin Renee Sanders, former U.S. ambassador to Nigeria, will address that question when she presents "U.S. Policy toward Africa: What is it and why is it important?" as part of the Woodrow Wilson Visiting Fellows Public Lecture Series at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, in the Presentation Room of the Krasa Student Center on the campus of Benedictine University, 5700 College Ave., Lisle. The public lecture is free.

The Woodrow Wilson Visiting Fellows program, administered by the Council of Independent Colleges in Washington, D.C., brings prominent artists, diplomats, journalists, business leaders and other professionals to campuses across the United States for a weeklong residential program of classes, seminars, workshops, lectures and informal discussions.

Sanders is the former ambassador to the Economic Community of West African States and the Republic of the Congo, and former director of the Africa National Security Council at the White House. She currently serves as CEO of FEEEDS Advocacy Initiative, which focuses on food security, education, environment, economic development and self-help projects, particularly in Africa, and also provides business solutions in the area.

A noted international lecturer, writer and thought-leader on Africa, Sanders has lectured on international and African affairs, national security strategies, strategic and cultural communications, and conflict resolution. Her other areas of expertise are election and democratic processes, smart food security-environment systems, education and the environment.

Sanders serves on the U.S. Trade Africa Advisory Committee on Africa, is chairwoman of the Export-Import Bank of the United States' Sub-Saharan Africa Advisory Committee and is a member of the prestigious American Academy of Diplomacy of former U.S. Ambassadors. She serves as an expert on Africa for Al Jazeera America and China TV and has appeared on NPR, MSNBC, ABC's "This Week," CNN and Bloomberg.

Sanders earned a doctorate in information systems and communications at Robert Morris University in Moon, Pennsylvania; master's degrees in international relations, Africa studies and communications at Ohio University; and a bachelor of arts in communications at Hampton University. She is a recipient of the U.S. military's Joint Chiefs of Staff Civilian Honor Award, three Superior Honor and four Meritorious Honor Awards from the U.S. State Department, the "Medal of Honor" from the president of the Republic of the Congo; is cited in Who's Who in America; and is a member of the U.S. National Scholar Society for her public policy and academic work.

For information about the lecture or the Woodrow Wilson Visiting Fellows program, call (630) 829-6247.