Rural African Summit scheduled

Times staff report • October 21, 2008

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Buzz up! The state’s first Rural African Summit opens Sunday night at the Radisson Suite Hotel in St. Cloud.


Organized by the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy based in Minneapolis, the summit will offer a series of sessions on education, human rights, economic development, health, employment and housing.

Events Sunday begin with a 6 p.m. reception that includes speakers, performances and refreshments. On Monday, the conference will run from 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

The summit was organized to provide a forum for community members, leaders, officials, providers, religious leaders, educators, students and businesspeople to learn from each other about the economic and social benefits and challenges of rural life for the more than 20,000 African immigrants that live in rural areas of Minnesota.

There is no fee for either day of the conference, but registration is required by visiting