Press Release
December 2, 2002

Contact Persons: Leon Spencer, Washington Office on Africa, 202- 547-7503
Mark W. Harrison, United Methodist Board of Church and Society, 202-488-5645

Network Calls on U.S. to Support a Progressive Africa Economic Agenda

The Advocacy Network for Africa (ADNA), a network of more than 200 U.S.-based organizations, issued a call today for the U.S. government to respond to the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) agenda in a progressive manner. If, ADNA argues, the U.S. government is to take Africa's latest development initiative seriously, it must move beyond a neo-liberal agenda featured in the NEPAD document.

NEPAD, emerging from initiatives of African governments, is receiving increasing attention from the U.S. and other G-7 countries as well as the United Nations. It seeks to create a strategic common vision among African countries, with a commitment toward eradicating poverty and supporting sustainable development based on improved access to capital, technology and human skills and resources. It envisions partnerships rather than subservient relations with industrials nations.

Its economic assumptions disturb ADNA members, as does the failure of African governments to consult their citizens about it. ADNA's critique, however, focuses upon what should characterize a U.S. response. In "Taking the New Partnership of Africa's Development Seriously," released today, they maintain that U.S. development efforts in Africa can only be taken seriously if they:

Focus primarily on a people-centered common security interest in its security relationship to African countries based on sovereignty.

Show support for greater freedom and democracy in Africa countries and strengthen African civil society.

Condemn human rights abuses wherever and aid victims of such abuse.

Respect the rights of African governments to define their economic policies and priorities, without insistence upon rigid free market provisions.

Increase assistance for basic and vocational education.

Increase annual U.S. contributions for global AIDS efforts, including the Global Trust Fund, to a minimum of $2.5 billion.

Give high priority to development assistance programs that empower women, including women-led initiatives and decisions on issues of family planning, birth control and HIV/AIDS prevention programs.

Copies of the document are available at www.woaafrica.org