New York, N.Y. - July 14, 2005 - Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, the Honorable Andrew Young, is set to headline an expert panel on building partnerships and linkages throughout the African Diaspora. This plenary session is part of the upcoming National Urban League Annual Convention, which takes place in Washington, DC from July 27 - 31st. More than 15,000 Urban League members and supporters are expected to take part in this year's convention, which will be held at the new Washington Convention Center, under the theme, "Celebrating 95 Years of Empowering Communities and Changing Lives."

The National Urban League is partnering with the Washington, DC-based African education and advocacy organization, the Constituency for Africa (CFA), to organize the Diaspora panel, which will be held on Friday, July 29th, from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., and is open to the public and the media. This panel will look at critical issues affecting Africa and African people worldwide, and explore opportunities for collaboration and cooperation. Others on the panel to be keynoted by Ambassador Young, include former California Congressman and current Chairman of the Constituency for Africa, the Honorable Ronald Dellums; the U.S. Trade Representative for Africa, the Honorable Florizelle Liser; and the distinguished University of Maryland Political Scientist and scholar, Dr. Ronald Walters. Also invited to the join the panel is the Secretary General of CARICOM, the Honorable Edwin Carrington.

National Urban League President, Marc H. Morial, believes the mission of the Urban League needs to be global. "It is long past time that the National Urban League expand its mission of training, job creation and capacity-building to a global scale, especially as it concerns Africa and African peoples, said Morial. "The Urban League can also play a greater role in educating Americans about the plight of African peoples and help to shape U.S. policies in regions of the world where black people reside."

The Town Meeting on Africa and the Diaspora is one of a number of events highlighting this year's conference. Scheduled events include plenary sessions featuring the Honorable Hillary Clinton, U.S. Senator (NY); the Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., Founder & President of the Rainbow Coalition/PUSH; and the Honorable Harold Ford, Jr., House of Representatives (D-Tennessee). Other plenary session speakers include Hugh Price, former President of the National Urban League; Dick Gregory, author and activist; Kevin Powell, Hip-Hop Historian and author; Hazel O'Leary, President, Fisk University; Dr. H. Patrick Swygert, President, Howard University; and Dr. Norman E. Francis, President, Xavier University of New Orleans.

The Greater Washington Urban League, under the Leadership of President and CEO Maudine R. Cooper and Jerry A. Moore III, Chairman Board of Directors, Greater Washington Urban League, and Partner, Venable LLP, is the host affiliate. Washington Mutual is the 2005 conference chair.

More information about the National Urban League's 2005 Annual Conference, registration, exhibitor or sponsorship opportunities is available on the League's website at www.nul.org or by calling 800-263-9926.

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