The 2011 Patuxent Defense Forum Tuesday and Wednesday, April 19-20, at St. Mary’s College of Maryland will focus on Africa this year. Open to the public, the forum will offer leading academics, military officials, and key policy analysts a chance to discuss the major changes taking place in Africa and the implications to our national defense. To register, go to www.paxpartnership.org. It is hosted by the Center for the Study of Democracy and the Patuxent Partnership. For information, call 240-895-6432.

 “The Patuxent Defense Forum brings together academics, military officers, government employees, and defense contractors to expand the dialogue and ensure the representation of diverse perspectives in strategic decision-making,” said Todd Eberly, political science professor and acting head of the center.

St. Mary's College of Maryland, designated the Maryland state honors college in 1992, is ranked one of the best public liberal arts schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. More than 2,000 students attend the college, nestled on the St. Mary's River in Southern Maryland.