Call for Papers: African Perspectives on Aid in Africa

Fahamu’s AU Monitor initiative and the African Forum and Network on Debt and Development (AFRODAD) invite research papers for the forthcoming publication “African Perspectives on Aid” to be published in September 2008.

While Africa is the biggest recipient of aid globally, the terms, conditions and principles upon which aid is delivered are rarely defined by the people of Africa for whom, at least rhetorically, this aid is supposed to create positive change. In global politic, aid is often flaunted as a golden carrot to African nations by established and emerging global powers alike. Lofty pledges are pronounced during crisis or when political clout is being wielded. Yet the effects on African peoples’ lives has been limited.

The same African states who are recipients of aid tend to be heavily indebted to the same Western nations from whom they receive this aid and, in turn, these Western nations have yet to deliver on the obligation for reparations, including financial compensation and other remedies, demanded by international law for the crimes against humanity committed during slavery and colonialism. In addition, International Financial Institutions (IFIs), like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) impose conditionalities on States that limit any bold moves towards achieving the commitments under the Millennium Development Goals, define the parameters of development assistance and weaken the potential impact of aid. To date, while aid has provided lifelines in times of severe crisis, the aid ‘industry’ has simply continued the disempowering position of Africa globally with little return for the African people.

In light of the September 2008 high-level meetings on Aid Effectiveness in Accra, Ghana, Fahamu and AFRODAD seek to publish a comprehensive volume on Aid in Africa from the diverse perspectives of African civil society, social commentators, policy makers, academics and citizens. In recognition of the lack of civil society voice in the deliberations and formulation of the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness, the Accra meetings have set up a platform for civil society contribution. Indeed, regional meetings, led by AFRODAD among others, have begun to discuss the issues and perspectives in Africa on Aid Effectiveness. Notably, these discussions come also at a time when civil society are challenging trade negotiations with the European Union under the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) which highlight the need to reflect on aid not just in terms of its effectiveness but also in relation to trade, debt and development. Indeed, the proposed book will uniquely seek to explore the very premise and foundation upon which the concept of aid is based, the history and context of aid, how the emergence of new global powers such as Venezuela and China are redefining aid, related power dynamics and its relation to development, all from the perspectives of Africa.

Each paper should be between four and six thousand words. The deadline for submission is May 30, 2008.

Please contact us via email at and with a one page abstract for your paper and for further information, including format guidelines, by April 25th, 2008.

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