Subject: RE: progressives network
From: Amitabh Desai <[email-masked]>
To: Rumi Verjee <[email-masked]>
Cc: "Strive Masiyiwa ([email-masked])" <[email-masked]>, "[email-masked]" <[email-masked]>, Matt Browne <[email-masked]>, Tina Flournoy <[email-masked]>, George Sibotshiwe ([email-masked]) <[email-masked]>
Date: Mon, 9 Sep 2013 14:34:27 -0400

Dear Strive and Rumi, as we look ahead to a possible call in October on whether/how to expand the connections between progressives in Africa and the US/Europe/Latin America, Matt and I thought it might be helpful to (1) circulate the attached document, illustrating some of the work of the existing Progressives Network, and (2) share the questions below, to seed our October discussion. Sincerely, Ami

-          Size and Focus: Are we talking about a small group / retreat of 30 people, focused on African "issues" and building a network of global progressive prepared to engage with them and provide them with a network? Would the progressives in Africa have more interest in engaging with Americans or Europeans or both? Who could help to identify the African progressives to include?

-          Leadership: Is this a process that senior international statesmen would participate in? For example Tony Blair, President Lula, etc.?

-          Are there particular issues that you would wish to focus the dialogue on?

-          Should we try and include progressive investors and business leaders in this process too, from both Africa and across the globe?

-          Who could be enlisted to support the costs of this endeavor?

From: Rumi Verjee [mailto:[email-masked]]
Sent: Tuesday, August 13, 2013 2:56 AM
To: Amitabh Desai
Cc: Strive Masiyiwa ([email-masked]); [email-masked]; Matt Browne; Tina Flournoy
Subject: Re: progressives network

hi ami

thank you very much for you kind email. i would like to thank you, Tina and the whole team for an exhilarating, fun and inspiring trip to Africa. the whole team could not have been more kind, helpful and generous hosts.

The Clinton Foundation and its team are wonderful ambassadors of the new America and it is wonderful to witness this.

thank you again.

i think the idea of a global progressives initiative is a very good one especially if it encompasses future leaders too.

i am am available for a call and will fit in on the timing and i am very happy to help from the UK perspective.

my very best wishes
rumi

On 12 Aug 2013, at 22:44, Amitabh Desai wrote:

Dear Strive and Rumi, following-up on our discussions about progressive African elected officials and the needs/opportunities to cultivate an off-the-record network for them with progressive electeds from the US, Europe, Latin America, Asia, etc., I spoke with Matt Browne who runs a network of progressive electeds in Europe/US, and we agreed it might make sense for us all to discuss the idea further. With that in mind, and copying John Podesta, should we try to convene a conference call later this week or next week, to discuss the possibilities and determine if it makes sense to operationalize this idea? It would be useful to get folks' thoughts on how many / who from Africa would be included, where/when an initial networking meeting like this would be most appropriate/beneficial, how it could be framed for Europeans/Americans/Latin Americans, etc. Hope everyone's well rested. Sincerely, Ami