Recommended Actions for the Development of Africa at the BA
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Alexandria, 16 December 2004-
The representatives of civil society from five North African countries worked together with delegates and commissioners from the international community throughout the three days of the North Africa Regional Consultation, held at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina (BA), 14-16 December 2004. Participants from around the world presented the Commission for Africa with a report on developmental solutions in the continent, as later it (the report) will be presented to the countries of the G8 and the European Union (EU).
The report began by taking stock of present global political and cultural circumstances: A world in the throes of rapid transformation, with a future only dimly perceived. The post-war order is creaking and requires retooling from the security council to the Bretton Woods institutions. Yet the political will to forge the new multilateralism is lacking. Europe is busy constructing its wonderful new edifice, and the US seems intent on pursuing its own course. Yet the wisdom of the architects of the post-World War II system needs to be reflected as we enter into the new century. We recognize our common humanity, but shy away from the consequences of accepting such a view. For surely we cannot accept that half of humanity is ill-fed, ill-housed, wracked by disease and blighted by ignorance.
The report mainly concentrated on the fundamental actions that were believed that the G-8 and the EU can effectively undertake and that would make a profound difference for the development of Africa. Recommendations touched upon the development of economic, social and political conditions on the African continent. The economic part of the report discussed in detail proposed solutions for issues of trade, IPR and medicines, ODA, African debts, Foreign Direct Investment and technology transfer. Recommendations for the social aspect of development included the increased support for the health and education sectors, the establishment of science and technology programs, as well as the promotion of the role of cultural libraries and enhancing high band-width connectivity to overcome the digital divide around the world. Promoting transparency, accuracy, accountability, pluralism, political participation, the rule of law and the free flow of information fell under the political clause. Attendants highlighted principles of good governance, regional integration, the promotion of watershed development schemes, as well as recognizing the role of non-governmental and civil society institutions, like the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) and Leadership for Environment and Development (LEAD) International, to strengthen peer review and follow-up mechanisms.
The work groups concluded their report with the hopeful statement: “We are ready to do our part. We look to the condition of Africa and insist that it must be improved. The task is not beyond us. It can be done. It must be done. It will be done”.