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The Challenge For Africa. Wangari Maathai (2010)

by Wangari Maathai(Favorite Author)

3.92 of 5 Votes: 1

ISBN

0099539039 (ISBN13: 9780099539032)

languge

English

genre

History & Biography

publisher

Arrow Books

series

عالم المعرفة

review 1: Wangari Maathai poignantly argues the importance of identity, culture and the environment in improving conditions across Africa. Wangarai deconstructs historic events to illustrate their destructive influence on the fabric of African society. Her intention is not to place blame but rather to illuminate the effects and to inspire local activism. Wangarai calls on Africans to embrace and understand their own culture and history. She calls on Africans to live for the life of the present rather than being devoted to the delights of the after-life, a focus embedded by Christianity. She calls on Africans to value their own capacity and responsibility to act, rather than constantly depending on outside forces. Wangarai notes that an estimated $140b has been stolen from Afri... moreca as a result of corrupt officials; Africa is not poor, she just cannot protect her own wealth.Wangarai outlines that the future of Africa will be dependent on three aspects, which like the three legs of a wooden stool are all critical to ensure stability: democracy, the sustainable and accountable management of natural resources for today and future generations, and a culture of peace that promotes fairness, respect, compassion, forgiveness, recompense and justice. Wangarai advocates for democracy not just in terms of 'one person, one vote.' Wangarai considers democracy to include the protection of minority rights, an effective and representative parliament, an independent judiciary, informed and engaged citizenry, an independent fourth estate, the rights to assemble, practice one's religion freely, and advocate one's views peacefully without fear of reprisal and an empowered and active civil society. Wangarai's vision of development is the means to achieve a quality of life that is sustainable and allows the expression of the full range of creativity and humanity. Wangarai calls for a shift away from the short-term crisis mentality of development assistance, to focus more on long-term prevention, strengthening health systems and implementing policies to improve the basic health of Africans. Africans need to understand the intrinsic value of interventions and the related risks and be engaged in the development process to facilitate self-sufficiency. She calls for more African debt forgiveness; despite having only 5% of the developing world's income, Africa has about two-thirds of the world's debt. She calls for industrialized nations to remove food subsidies and trade agreements that unfairly hurt African producers. Industrialized nations need to transfer science and technology, particularly green technology, to the nations less advanced. Additionally there is a need for institutions to be created that provide pensions and support for former heads of state, civil servants and veterans. Wangarai also calls for the environment to be at the center of domestic and international policy and practice. The heart of many conflicts in Africa relate to degraded land, depleted water sources, lack of rain, poor soils and desertification. Destroying the environment is ultimately undermining the African way of life. The current pace of deforestation is a concern in thirty-five African countries, with significant loss of biodiversity affecting thirty-four. "Without human beings, the creatures and plants and trees would flourish; but without those species, human beings have no hope for survival."
review 2: Write a review...A great perspective on environmental, agricultural, political (particularly "ethnic/tribal" politics), feminist and community aspects of African development. I was disappointed that so little attention was given to the barriers to small business (and business in general) in Africa. Africa is bursting with people trying to trade but almost all are prevented from growing beyond the small-scale informal sector. She gives the issue one paragraph in relation to deterrents to returning expatriates.Instead, she optimistically calls for changes in local government policies, leadership ethics, culture, the international trading and political regimes and educational policy to effect change. These things are definitely worth lobbying for, but I think, as in China and now, India, Africans will do better (at least, economically) when they can get on with doing business, not waiting for the world to change.Passionately and intelligently written. Highly recommended to anyone interested in African development..Instead, whil less

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