2016 Fourth Quarter Newsletter Edition

Our Mission

The Richardson Center for Global Engagement promotes global peace and dialogue by identifying and working on areas of opportunity for engagement and citizen diplomacy with countries and communities not usually open to more formal diplomatic channels.
Bringing Fanta Home to her Family
On  April 16, US citizen Fanta Darboe Jawara, in Gambia for a family reunion, was waiting for a taxi ride home from her bank. Today, after eight months in Mile 2 Central Prison, she is under house arrest. Her family wants her home now! Fanta Jawara is just one of  several prisoners the Richardson Center for Global  Engagement is trying to reunite with their families. The Center maintains an active prisoner and hostage program that seeks to support the families of prisoners and hostages through the direct advocacy with the US and foreign governments , conducting public awareness  campaigns, and stakeholder engagement. Governor Richardson and his team work directly with families, organizations, and world leaders to mediate prisoner releases in areas of the world where others refuse to negotiate.
Providing Sanctuary for over 60 Chimps in Liberia
How long could you survive on an African mangrove island without food or water? Sixty-three abandoned chimpanzees braved starvation and dehydration for weeks until rescued by the Humane Society. Now, with the help of a grant from the Richardson  Center for Global Engagement, these chimps are a step closer to a permanent sanctuary.
 
Four Myanmar Women Leaders, Experiencing U.S. Elections
What better opportunity to truly experience the American political process then to witness it first hand in the "gateway state" of Wisconsin?  From October 25-November 11, 2016, the Richardson Center for Global Engagement hosted four political leaders from Myanmar on the Women to Wisconsin delegation. The delegation was a success. Delegates brought home much they could use in their own campaigns in Myanmar.
Saving African Elephants through Asset Forfeiture Training
International law enforcement agrees: the most effective way to hurt poachers is in their pocketbooks. Adopting "asset forfeiture" programs holds the greatest potential for stopping illegal poaching in its tracks.  On September 10 and 12, the Richardson Center for Global Engagement facilitated expert instruction on two modules:  Financial Investigation/Money Laundering   and  Prosecution and Asset Forfeiture , in the context of the Freeland DETECT program in Nairobi, Kenya. Trainees came from Kenya, Congo, Uganda, Tanzania and Gabon.
Power Grab in Gambia

Governor Richardson comments on the precarious future of Gambia post-election, and calls on the support of the United States and international allies for the Gambian people in an effort to bring about true and lasting progress. 
The Richardson Center for Global Engagement
216 Washington Ave.  Suites 1 & 2  |  Santa Fe, NM 87501  |  505-989-7955