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.
2 comments:
Let me just point out, without comment, that the current administration has provided significantly more aid to African countries than any previous ones. Articles have appeared in the press suggesting that Africa just may turn out to be George W.'s most important legacy. Also, during the past several years the private sector has stepped up with noteworthy programs of assistance, e.g. the Gates Foundations. Some things are in fact happening., in a changing political environment.
Regarding Dr. Sachs' seven points:
1. I am not versed in the details of MDGs
2. Cabinet-level bureaucracy is probably not the most efficient vehicle for getting things done.
3. Yes, a commitment needs to be honored. An education effort within America would probably be a necessary platform for making this understood and acceptable to the voting public, which tends to be miopic and isolationist until they know better.
4. DDT works better. Nets are the de jour popular item. Drugs are a curative, not a preventive measure. Does Sachs truly understand the infrastructure problems involved in reaching EVERY VILLAGE in the continent of Africa? If a working infrastructure were in place everywhere, half of the problems would be solved right there.
5. Green Revolution approaches are getting serious second- and third-looks these days. I concur with the opinion that using patented seeds, genetically modified plants, cloning, chemical in-puts of whatever sort do more for the greedy agri-businesses than for the dirt farmers who are the backbone of any kind of sustainable development. Respect for local wisdom on the part of arrogant outsiders is a sine qua non.
6. Sachs is spot on regarding ethanol from food crops.
7. Millennium Village Projects have to be addressed by the respective national governments. Perhaps a moratorium on arms sales or World Bank loans or other such drains on the national treasuries would free up local funding for what needs to be done locally. Maybe shaming the central government, say in Nigeria, would help direct the petro billions to the local people who are justifiably angry with the current distribution of their country's wealth.
Obama has a legitimate right to talk about African issues. McCain has a somewhat positive legacy of the Bush years to build on and to burnish his own foreign affairs strengths. Have each go with his existing gifts, and at the same time teach the American public about matters that they are woefully ignorant of.
Note: This comment came by email from an AFJN member.
. . .
AID
2025 is way too late for an increase to 0.7% in assistance to Africa.
In fact, like other western countries in the OECD, the US committed to an increase in aid to 0.7% by 2015 - 10 years earlier than the deadline proposed here by Dr. Sachs.
Western countries are backing out of those commitments, or have simply failed to even establish a schedule for meeting targets.
For details, see: http://www.poverty.com/internationalaid.html
As outlined on the main page, Africa states need to get to root causes of the problem, not be distracted by symptoms.
Western corruption is the leading cause of problems in Africa today - leaders who do not follow orders are simply eliminated, one way or another.
Remember Prime Minister Patrice Emery Lumumba, as merely one example.
in shame,
jason
. . .
Post a Comment