From 1959 to 1961, Chairman Mao's unfeasible and reckless Great Leap Forward policies caused the unnatural deaths of at least 40 million Chinese – human history's most fatal famine with a death toll exceeding that of both World Wars combined. The Chinese government has consistently withheld records of the mass devastation, twisting history to shift the blame off of the Communist Party. Half a century later, as the voices of the victims of the Great Famine disappear one by one, it is up to us to ensure this tragedy is not forgotten. Join us as survivors of the Great Famine share their harrowing stories, never before heard outside of China, and experts reflect on their latest research on the Great Famine tragedy.

The Laogai Research Foundation, a not-for-profit organization, was founded in 1992 by former political prisoner Harry Wu. Its mission is to gather information and raise public awareness of the Laogai – China's extensive system of forced labor prison camps. NOTE: A second day of conference activities will be held on Thursday, February 16, at the Laogai Museum, 1734 20th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009. See http://laogaimuseum.org/.

~ AGENDA ~

INTRODUCTION
Harry Wu, Executive Director, Laogai Research Foundation

SESSION 1
Chinese author assesses the Great Famine

SESSION 2
Jasper Becker, author of Hungry Ghosts

LUNCH REMARKS
Lee Edwards, Ph.D., Chairman, Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation

SESSION 3
Frank Dikötter, author of Mao's Great Famine

SESSION 4
Panel Discussion featuring Great Famine survivors