An introductory letter from the new Executive Director of the Washington Office on Africa, Leon Spencer. His message reflects on how to assess the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act and questions how to balance open markets with the common good of Africans. He emphasizes that advocates for Africa in the U.S. need to listen closely to Africans, both in government and in non-governmental organizations. He mentions the rural and agricultural development legislation called Africa: Seeds of Hope supported by Bread for the World and Gen. Abubakar and the Nigerian Democracy and Civil Society Empowerment Act.
