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The millennium partnership for the African recovery programme (MAP)
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| 4. The case for global partnership |
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| Strategic and Mutual Benefits |
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Africa recognises the centuries-old historical injustice and the need to right it. However, the central injunction of the partnership is for combined efforts to improve as rapidly as possible the quality of life of Africa's people. In this, there is a shared self-interest.
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The global technological revolution needs an expanding base of resources, a widening sphere of markets, new frontiers of scientific endeavour, the collective capacity of human wisdom, and a well-managed ecological system. We are aware that much of Africa's mineral and other material resources are critical inputs into production processes in developed countries.
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In addition to its indispensable resource base, Africa offers a vast and growing market to producers across the world. A developing Africa, with increased numbers of employed and skilled workers and a burgeoning middle class, would constitute an expanding market for world manufactures, intermediate goods and services.
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At the same time, Africa provides a great opportunity for investment. The MAP creates opportunities for joint international efforts in the development of infrastructure, especially in information and communication technologies and transportation.
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Africa also provides prospects for creative partnerships between the public and private sectors in beneficiation, agro-industries, tourism, human resource development and in tackling the challenges of urban renewal and rural development.
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Furthermore, Africa's biodiversity - including its rich flora and fauna and the rain forests - is an important global resource in combating environmental degradation posed by the depletion of the ozone layer and climate change, as well as the pollution of air and water by industrial emissions and toxic effluents.
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The expansion of educational and other opportunities in Africa would enhance the continent's contribution to world science, technology and culture, to the benefit of all humankind. Afterall, modern science recognises Africa as the cradle of humanity. Fossils, artefacts, artistic works and the remains of ancient human settlements are to be found throughout Africa, providing material evidence of the emergence of homo sapiens and the evolution of humanity.
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As part of the process of the reconstruction of the identity and self-confidence of the peoples of Africa, it is necessary that this is understood and valued by Africans themselves. In the same vein, Africa's status as the birthplace of humanity should be cherished by the whole world as the origin of all its peoples.
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Africa's rich cultural legacy is reflected in artefacts of the past, in its literatures, philosophies, its art and music. These should serve both as a means of consolidating the pride of Africa's peoples in their own humanity and confirmation of the common humanity of the peoples of the world.
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The MAP has, as one of its foundations, the expansion of democratic frontiers and the deepening of the culture of human rights. A democratic Africa will become one of the pillars of world democracy, human rights and tolerance. The resources of the world currently dedicated to resolving civil and inter-state conflict could therefore be freed for more rewarding endeavours.
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The converse of such an initiative - the collapse of more African states - poses a threat not only to Africans, but also to global peace and security. For industrialised countries, development in Africa will reduce the levels of global social exclusion and mitigate a major potential source of global social instability.
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| A New Global and Continental Context |
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The MAP recognises that there have been attempts in the past to set out continent-wide development programmes. For a variety of reasons, both internal and external, including questionable leadership and ownership by Africans themselves, these have been less than successful. However, there is today a new set of circumstances, which lend themselves to integrated practical implementation.
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The new phase of globalisation coincided with the reshaping of international relations in the aftermath of the Cold War. This is associated with the emergence of new concepts of security and self-interest, which encompass the right to development and the eradication of poverty. Democracy and state legitimacy have been redefined to include as central elements accountable government, a culture of human rights and popular participation.
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Significantly, a new corps of African leaders is also on the ascendancy. These leaders are committed to democracy and the integration of Africa into the world economy and body politic. Through their actions, they have declared that the hopes of Africa's peoples for a better life can no longer rest on the magnanimity of others.
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Across the continent, democracy is spreading, backed by the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), which has shown a new resolve to deal with conflicts and censure deviation from the norm. These efforts are reinforced by voices in civil society, including associations of women, the youth and independent media. In addition, African governments are much more resolute about regional and continental goals of economic cooperation and integration. This serves both to consolidate the economic turnaround and reinforce the advantages of mutual interdependence.
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The changed conditions in Africa have already been recognised by governments across the global community. The United Nations Millennium Declaration, adopted in September 2000, confirms the world community's readiness to support Africa's efforts to address the continent's underdevelopment and marginalisation. The Declaration emphasised support for the prevention of conflict and the establishment of conditions of stability and democracy on the continent, as well as for the key challenges of poverty and disease eradication. The Declaration further pointed to the global community's commitment to enhancing resource flows to Africa, by improving aid, trade and debt relationships between Africa and the rest of the World, and by increasing private capital flows to the continent.
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