With apparent enthusiasm the UN, most development aid donors and agencies, academics, politicians and journalists seem to have embraced the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) as a prime measure of development progress.
‘The key issues confronting our people are job creation and poverty alleviation.” Attribute that quote to any African leader, from lowly municipal manager to country president, and the chances are it would be applicable, overwhelmingly so.
When the Pan African Parliament (PAP) began its fourth sitting late last month, it seemed that the pomp and ceremony accompanying the unveiling of the assembly’s new chambers would not be matched by any increase in the initiative displayed by its members.
Without a satisfactory deal in agriculture the Doha Round of trade talks will unravel. But the parameters of “satisfactory” vary hugely depending on who is under the microscope.
The nations of the world unanimously approved the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which commit humanity to radically reducing poverty. But they never asked a most basic question: how will meeting the MDGs make the poor more economically competitive and self-reliant?
In their first referendum since 1963, Kenyans took to the polling booth in November to vote on a new constitution.
A successful conclusion of the Doha Round of trade negotiations is in the interest of all members of the World Trade Organisation and the global economy. As such, the 13-18 December Hong Kong Ministerial Conference represents an opportunity that should not be squandered.
Calestous Juma argues that addressing Africa’s development challenges requires the creation of a new generation of universities that focus on solving community problems.
Developing countries are to receive greater funding and transfers of technology to boost their use of renewable energy supplies.
The world’s poorest continent will be worst affected as global temperatures rise.
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