|
The issue…
In a little noticed move last month, the United Nations endorsed the Nepad initiative as providing the appropriate framework for Africa's development. More pertinently, the decision by the General Assembly means that the still-developing Nepad framework will provide the reference point for activities across Africa by the UN's set of development agencies. These agencies are well known by their acronyms: they include the UNDP, ECA, Unicef, FAO and UNAIDS.
Nepad thus replaces the United Nations New Agenda for the Development of Africa in the 1990s, the so-called UN-NADAF programme. This decision followed an extensive review of UN-NADAF by a Panel of Eminent Personalities. The Panel was chaired by Kwesi Botchwey and included the veteran African political scientist Ali Mazrui. On Nepad, the panel concluded: "The launching of the New Partnership reinforces Africa's resolve to chart its development course. The confluence of African leadership and ownership of the New Partnership, the strong expression of support from the international community…and the commitment of the United Nations system to offering a coordinated and coherent response to the needs of the New Parthership provides fresh momentum for Africa's development".
The 50 page report highlights five main lessons from the implementation of the UN-NADAF programme. They are:
- Peace and security is vital to development in Africa
- Development co-operation with Africa requires a new orientation
- Commitments (by African countries and donors) need to be honoured
- Strengthened advocacy for Africa's development remains essential and
- Improved coordination and collaboration among UN agencies in Africa is required.
The implications of this decision will be the topic of SARPN's next briefing.
The report can be accessed on this site at http://www.sarpn.org.za/documents/d0000085/index.php
Speakers…
Discussion will be led by Dr John Ohiorhenuan, the Resident Representative of the UNDP in Pretoria. Dr Ohiorhenuan, a Nigerian economist, has participated in numerous workshops on Nepad and is widely respected for his insights into developmental issues.
SARPN hopes to confirm the participation of at least one other speaker. This person will be drawn from Southern African civil society networks and/or from government agencies. This discussion should provide wide-ranging pointers to a crucial poverty policy issue (despite the possibly awkward timing!!)
Details…
Date: Friday 29 November 2002
Time: 1.45 for 2pm, ending by no later than 3.45pm
Venue: HSRC Conference Centre
Address: 134 Pretorius Street, Pretoria
Secure parking is available at the HSRC commercial parking facility.
A finger lunch will be provided from 1.15pm for participants.
RSVP: sarpn@hsrc.ac.za (by no later than 27 November).
|
|
- 33Kb < 1min (1 pages)
