AU news: Africa-Diaspora Intellectual Conference report, recent press releases ...

[RWalker]

I thought you might find the two inserted press releases from the AU interesting. The first discusses another monetary contribution to the African Union from People's China. This is the best face of the partnership approach advocated by the AU, in stark contrast to the actions of the majority of the G-8 countries. Combined with internal financing (through accretion and appreciation), situational management of the production and marketing functions of Africa, a promotion and advertising strategy design to reflect the psychographics and general cultural personality of the African continent, the institution of a monetary, fiscal, trading, and financial system based on Africa as a single compact system Africa would prosper and lead the world into a better future.

The second press release is the AU executive council position on the current campaign against being waged against the UN Sec. General.

In addition if you have not seen the final report from the AU Africa - Africa Diaspora Intellectual conference you can find the document in Word format at: http://www.au-ciad.org/CIAD_NEW/repo...%20ENGLISH.doc

or in pdf format at:

http://www.au-ciad.org/CIAD_NEW/repo...%20ENGLISH.doc

A few excerpts from the report to whet your appetite

3. The general theme around which the Conference was held was “ Africa in the 21st Century: Integration and Renaissance�. To facilitate deliberation, this general theme was sub-divided into six (6) sub-themes, namely:

- Pan-Africanism in the 21st Century;
- Contribution of Intellectuals of Africa and of the Diaspora to the Strengthening of African Integration in the Global Context of the 21st Century;
- Relations between Africa and its Diasporas;
- The African Identity within a multi-Cultural Context;
- The Place of Africa in the World;
and
- Africa, Science and Technology: Stakes and Prospects.

....
Prof. Obiodun referred to the need to address some of the most confronting issues in Africa such as health, HIV/AIDS and poverty. The idea of the trans-Africa highway should not be shelved, he said. He also stressed the need for Africa to be fully involved in ICT, and noted with great appreciation that Senegal links Africa to the rest of the world in the area of fibre-optics.

He expressed the hope that the contribution of intellectuals would not be limited to thinking only, but that they would be involved as partners in the implementation process. He further hoped that Africans, whether on the continent or in the Diaspora, would get preference in the search for work in Africa. It was also his hope that the recommendations proposed by the Conference would be found to be achievable, realistic, affordable and practical. In addition, he observed that if Africa was to move forward, it had to adopt a culture of science and technology. He concluded by thanking the President, as well as all those present.
...
b) Statement by Prof. Sheila Walker On behalf of the Diaspora, Professor Sheila Walker expressed her delight to be in the land of Terranga with the African Union and marveled at the boldness of the organizers who did not fear to bring together activist intellectuals to reflect upon Africa’s renaissance. She recalled the image of Queen Isis of ancient Egypt who gathered the scattered pieces of King Osiris to describe the Diaspora gathered from various parts of the world back to its African source. She saluted the initiative of Mrs. Wade and Mrs. Konaré to establish the organization of African Women Intellectuals and of the Diaspora, which will represent the female voice of the AU. She paid tribute to the ancestors of the Diaspora who created wealth in the Americas and assured the Conference of the Diaspora’s commitment to assist Africa move from afro pessimism to optimism and to the African renaissance.


...

... He (Pres. Abdoulaye Wade
) recalled the six themes discussed and said that the lesson to be drawn was that Africa without its diaspora was incomplete, which was why it was deemed necessary to make it the sixth region of Africa, an idea endorsed by the Libyan Leader Ghadaffi and President Obasanjo. He proposed that the next conference be held in a country of the Diaspora, like Brazil or the United States. He welcomed the solidarity of the conference vis-Ã*-vis Haiti and the appeal made for a humanitarian assistance to be coordinated by the African Union.

President Wade underscored the importance of a follow-up and consultation mechanism as well as a permanent contact network, particularly a contact network between women from Africa and the Diaspora. He proposed that all the Heads of State be apprised of the conclusions of the Conference to enable them to reflect on the periodicity of the conference in the future, as well as on the establishment of a Secretariat. Lastly, after comparin gthe Diaspora to a lost and found score sheet of a symphonic orchestra, he declared the Conference closed.


Two Press Releases follow...
======
AFRICAN UNION
UNION AFRICAINE
UNIÃO AFRICANA
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia P.O. Box 3243 Tel. +251 1 51 77 00 Fax +251 1 51 78 44 www.africa-union.org
Press Release No. 111/2004
CHINA DONATES US$ 300,000 TO THE AFRICAN UNION
The People’s Republic of China today handed over a cheque for the sum of
US$300,000 (USD three hundred thousand) to the African Union in
support its activities.
Making the donation, on behalf of his Government, the Ambassador of the
People’s Republic of China to Ethiopia, H.E. Mr. Lin Lin said that the
cheque was in line with his Government’s decision, communicated to the
Chairperson of the AU Commission by the Chinese Vice-Prime Minister
during his visit here last July.
Receiving the cheque, Prof. Alpha Oumar Konare, expressed appreciation
to the Government and the People’s Republic of China, saying that the
donation demonstrated yet another milestone in China-Africa efforts to
build and maintain stronger ties.
Prof. Konare reassured the Chinese Envoy of the African Union’s
commitment towards enhancing the existing relationship between the two
sides.
It will be recalled that, among other, China made a similar donations in
November 2003 to the African Union.
Addis Ababa, December 8, 2004
http://www.africa-union.org/News_Events/Press_Releases/111%2004%20china%20donates%20300000US$%20to%20AU.p df


AFRICAN UNION
UNION AFRICAINE
UNIÃO AFRICANA
Addis Ababa, ETHIOPIA P. O. Box 3243 Telephone 517 700 Cables: OAU, ADDIS ABABA
Ext/Ex.Cl/Decl.1 (VI)
DECLARATION OF THE AU EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ON
THE UN SECRETARY-GENERAL
The Executive Council of the African Union, meeting in Addis
Ababa at its Sixth Extraordinary Session, notes with great concern the
campaign of calumny being orchestrated against the UN Secretary
General, Kofi Annan.
The AU Executive Council expresses its unshaken confidence in
the UN Secretary General who has consistently demonstrated great
commitment to the ideals of the United Nations and a determination
to reposition it in the globalizing world in which multilateralism
should be anchored on shared responsibility and joint management of
global affairs.
The Executive Council firmly believes in the integrity and
capability of Secretary General Kofi Annan to continue his leadership
of the United Nations until the end of his term of office in 2007.
Addis Ababa, 6th December 2004

http://www.africa-union.org/News_Eve...TION%20eng.pdf