One of the greatest picture ever taken of me. Etafemi center, Cape Town, South Africa, March 2009

My name is Codrin Arsene; I’m a 24 year-old  living in Chicago, Illinois. I received my undergraduate degree from the University of Chicago, I majored in Political Science and International Studies (I received honors in both departments), with a focus on African Politics, and the development of the informal sector in Uganda and Tanzania. I have traveled extensively throughout the world, having visited 80 countries so far. I have lived for at least five months in Romania, France, the United States of America, Argentina, South Africa and Tanzania. I’ve also spent several months in Africa, with return trips there every single year. My passion for Africa is rooted in my travels across the continent. From Cairo to Cape Town, Dakar to Mombasa, from Tripoli to Lilongwe, I have visited 24 African countries so far.

My main areas of interest in African politics are the impact of Chinese investment in Africa, the growing tourist industry in East Africa and the rise of urban forms of witchcraft. In the past, I have worked with different international organizations (Peace Child International, the Global Youth Action Network, TIGlobal etc) in areas such as youth advocacy, the involvement of the youth in the process of decision-making and youth diplomacy. I’m currently the administrator of the African Politics Portal where I comment upon the newest political developments on the continent, post news links, and provide my visitors with “briefing news”, “movie reviews”, a “Chinese monitor” and many other options that will help them navigate more easily the current African political scene.

I am a strong critic of both African leaders and International Organizations. While I believe that the World Bank, the IMF and other development agencies carry the significant blame for the current political turmoil in Africa, many other African statesmen should also be held responsible for their actions. Kwame, one of my best African friends once said I was the most “practical dreamer” he had ever met. I don’t yet know exactly what I am now, since one sentence or paragraph is hardly enough to describe a person. But I know the two words I always whisper to myself, every year, when I return to Africa: simply surprising…

Besides the African Politics Portal I’m also blogging on:

A Romanian in Africa.

African Loft

I am also a guest contributor for Foreign Policy Romania where I write on US politics and African affairs.

For my resume, please click here.