| What is being done to help Africa? Despite the challenges, there are signs of progress and more is achievable. Importantly, Africa’s development agenda is increasingly African-led. Improved partnerships between African and donor nations have resulted in increased aid flows being used more effectively.
The African Union (AU), supported by the donor community, is helping to deliver many of Africa’s pre-requisites for development; particularly in the areas of peace and security and governance. The AU are developing the necessary structures and institutions to allow Africa to better prevent, manage, and resolve conflict in the region.
There has been a recent major shift in African effort to address the continents problems. The New Partnership for Africa’s development (NEPAD) and the AU aim to tackle HIV/AIDS, reduce poverty and sustain long-term economic growth. It’s committed to governance and promoting peace and security. Many countries are showing signs of progress towards democracy and governance. The African Union has established the Africa Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) as a voluntary self monitoring mechanism for states to conform to the agreed political, economic and corporate governance values. 24 countries have so far signed up to participate in the APRM.
A number of countries within Africa have made real progress: In the last five years, Mozambique has reduced poverty from 70% to 55% and has doubled the number of children in school; Kenya has introduced free primary education, which has brought 1.2 million children back into school; In Tanzania, 1000 new schools have been built and 18,000 teachers recruited. This will enable Tanzania to achieve the goal of primary education for all in 2006 – 9 years before the target date of 2015; Uganda has reduced HIV from 20% in 1991 to around 6.5% in 2001. The experience of Uganda in relation to HIV/AIDS shows that with political will the tide of an epidemic can be turned; In 1973, only three African Heads of State were elected. Today, 40 countries have had multi-party elections; Two years ago major conflicts affected 19 countries in Africa. Today that figure is three;
These are just a few examples of what can be done.
Countries in the north are recognising that partnerships with countries based on a commitment by both sides brings real benefits in the long term. High and predictable levels of resources to countries that have a credible Poverty Reduction Strategy and the political will and capacity to deliver on the Millennium Development Goals can reduce poverty (this is the case in Ghana, Tanzania, Mozambique, Uganda and Rwanda).
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HIV and AIDS, and Nutrition
This World Health Organization document reviews current evidence on the relationship between nutrition and HIV and AIDS, as well as on the role of nutrition in HIV transmission, disease progression, morbidity, and disease management Read the full story....
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