The Center for American Studies (CAST) was founded on August 19, 1998 in the University town of Nsukka, Nigeria by a group of young intellectuals who share a common vision for better Nigeria. The original idea to establish the center was conceived in Washington D.C. in July 1998 while the Executive Director of the Center Dr. Jonah Onuoha, was participating in a United States Information Agency (USIA) sponsored summer programme in the Making of United States Foreign Policy. The programme afforded him the opportunity to appreciate the beauty, peace and stability in the United States. On his return to Nigeria within the first week of August, 1998, he was anxious to share his experiences with his professional colleagues and students. The outcome of this discussion was the establishment of the Center for American Studies. On August 19, 1998, the Center successfully organized a ONE-DAY workshop on the Obituary of Socialism and the Need for American Studies in Africa. The Center is a voluntary, non-governmental and non-profit-making organization designed to provide a positive, supportive, and egalitarian environment for friendly exchange of ideas between the people of United States of America and Africa in the area of governance, conflict resolution, manpower development, gender and environmental studies, among others.