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U.S. Electoral Process Made Simple: Paris-based Dr. Arun Kapil Lectures on U.S. Presidential Elections 2008
From September 1 – 6, PAS Yaounde hosted ARS Speaker Dr. Arun Kapil, Professor of political science at the Catholic University of Paris, for highly successful programs on “U.S. Presidential Elections 2008.” During his week-long program, Dr. Kapil delivered lectures to a total of 500 students and lecturers at the Universities of Buea, Douala, and Yaounde; and he conducted a session for civil society members, politicians, journalists, and journalism students in the Embassy auditorium.
In his lectures at the Universities of Buea, Douala and Yaounde 2, Dr. Kapil covered a broad range of issues relating to U.S. presidential elections including: the campaign, campaign financing, the importance of primaries, the role of party delegates and super delegates, and the Electoral College system. Dr Kapil also outlined the specificity of this year’s presidential elections in the U.S. and discussed with various audiences the possible impact of the outcome of these elections to U.S. foreign policy towards Africa.
The session with civil society members, politicians, journalists and journalism students at the U.S. Embassy, focussed on candidates Barack Obama and John McCain’s acceptance speeches. Dr. Kapil gave the audience some useful clues to analyse these statements, as well as other campaign messages. He equally explained the U.S. electoral system and the chances of both candidates.
Dr. Kapil participated in several media events. He was guest on the evening news on STV, Equinoxe TV, and New TV. The Speaker also participated in “CRTV M’Accompagne,” a call-in program on the state-owned Cameroon Radio Television (CRTV), and granted many post-program interviews with New TV and Magic FM, a VOA affiliate. (photo gallery)