Have More Suggestions?

Are our proposals not enough? Did Dr. Sach's miss something in his presentation? We want to know what YOU would tell Senator Obama or Senator McCain about U.S. policy toward Africa. Write your thoughts here! Just click on the "comments" link below. If you have trouble posting, please email afjn(at)afjn.org with your contribution and we will be sure your voice is heard!

Proposals from Africa Faith & Justice Network

To get you all started, we have a few proposals of our own.

• We suggest that the next President re-balance funding between the State Department and the Department of Defense (DoD). For 2008, the DoD's budget totals approximately $623 billion while the State Department's budget falls at a comparatively paltry $12 billion. This clear favoritism for defense above diplomacy is damaging to countries around the world. As it pertains to Africa, we believe that the $300-500 million requested for the Pentagon's Africa Command (AFRICOM) should be put into development alternatives through USAID or, as suggested by Dr. Sach's, a new development cabinet. The United States desperately needs a new concept of "security" on the African continent.
• In addition to the development alternatives to AFRICOM, we would like to see a new approach to the security sector in Africa, relying more on civilian policing rather than military options.
• On the level of civil society, we encourage the next administration to promote awareness about what good governance means and to provide civil society with ways to generate good governance in their own countries.
• On an economic level, the new President should promote microcredit plans to engage the people of Africa in the development of their communities. The World Bank has recently increased its contributions to microcredit initiatives, but global contributions to such programs are minuscule considering the proven impact of direct microlending.

What do you think of these proposals? Do you agree or disagree?

AFJN's Perspective On the Green Revolution

As an organization with a long member history on the continent of Africa, we take issue with some of Dr. Sachs' proposals. The idea that Africa needs a Green Revolution - genetically modified seeds and chemical fertilizers - to feed its people is an American view of agriculture that undermines the traditional and successful farming methods of the people of Africa. There are many ways to increase the health of soils that do not involve synthetic solutions. We believe in the necessity of respecting the sacredness and fertility of African soil.

If the U.S. truly wishes to boost the food output of the African continent, it should eliminate its own harmful farm subsidies, it should establish fair trade laws in a more holistic fashion, and it should work to end conflicts on the continent that are undermining the ability of communities to farm. Our next President can set these as goals for his term(s) in office.

This does not mean that all elements of the Green Revolution are inherently harmful - better irrigation, tools, and some methods of farming may indeed be helpful. But the U.S. should tread lightly considering the dismal state of its own soils and the struggles of its own smallholder farmers.

What are your thoughts on this issue? Do you think Africa needs a Green Revolution? How should it look?

Dr. Jeffrey Sachs' Hopes for the Next Administration

At AFJN's 25th Anniversary Conference in April 2008, development economist Dr. Jeffrey Sachs presented (live via teleconference) seven suggestions for our next President. They are as follows:

• The Millennium Development Goals (MDG's) should be the centerpiece of U.S. outreach to Africa and the rest of the world. They should be firm, clear, and stated in the inaugural address in January.
• The next President should establish a cabinet-level department on sustainable development, on par with all other departments in the executive branch.
• We must fulfill our commitment to Official Development Assistance by contributing 0.5% of our Gross National Income (GNI) by 2010, and 0.7% by 2025.
• A strong pledge must be made to eradicate malaria on the African continent by providing insecticide treated bed nets and making anti-malarial drugs available in every village.
• Dr. Sachs suggests a Green Revolution for Africa to increase food production on the continent.
• The U.S. should immediately cease subsidizing ethanol so that the money can be put into food production rather than gas tanks. Ethanol is an inefficient form of energy that not only diverts resources from responsible farm policies but is also unlikely to yield results in the movement to curb global warming.
• The incoming administration should join the Millennium Village Projects in a more holistic way through outreach in agriculture, education, and health care.

What do you think of Dr. Sachs' proposals? What would you change? What do you endorse?