For the first time in history, Africa held its first All Africa Energy Week in Maputo, Mozambique last week. The African Union, the African Development Bank and the United Economic Commission for Africa joined forces to launch the conference, which focused on clean energy for sustainable development.
The fact that this event even happened shows tremendous progress. Electricity poverty is a huge problem in Africa, despite the fact that the continent has huge reserves of cheap fuels like coal and natural gas. Almost two-thirds of Africans do not have access to electricity, an unfortunate circumstance that impedes economic growth, slows down businesses and productivity and keeps the cycle of extreme poverty going ’round and ’round.
The solution? Amp up efforts to create a low-carbon infrastructure and encourage public-private partnerships to tap into Africa’s energy potential. Think strategically, using energy policy and regulations to help bridge the gap in the energy infrastructure. Consider biofuels, solar energy and hydropower.
Having a regular and affordable source of electricity can increase wealth and boost productivity. And investing a strong energy infrastructure can create jobs and attract investments. Either way, Africa’s energy sector is a priority and can help eradicate poverty for millions of Africans. In fact, it’s such a priority that it has made its way onto the agenda of this year’s G20 Summit in Seoul for the first time.
Concentrating on Africa’s energy sector is the right step in the right direction, and it’s great to see that African organizations are working to coordinate their efforts while staying environmentally conscious. Learn more about All Africa Energy Week on their website.
Next week, delegates from more than 130 countries will converge in Bangkok, Thailand to participate in the world’s largest anti-corruption meeting, the 14th annual International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC).
According to Andrew Marshall’s Time Magazine article “How Corruption Is Holding Asia Back,” corruption is a problem that affects dozens of countries across the world — not just developing nations — and has been met with increasing apathy and acceptance from both world leaders and citizens.
What is most alarming, says Mr. Marshall, is that corruption creates an environment in which dishonesty can thrive even further. Last year’s Transparency International report said that the most common source of bribe demands is the police. And in sub-Saharan Africa, corruption is one of the region’s major barriers to ending extreme poverty. In fact, Africa loses around $148 billion each year as a result of corruption alone.
As you can see, “corruption is everyone’s problem — and apathy is no longer an option,” says Mr. Marshall.
We couldn’t agree more. It’s our duty as advocates to make sure that people know that corruption hurts — not helps — the fight against poverty. We’re curious to see what comes out of this year’s IACC meeting and hope that the delegation makes some headway in this growing issue.
News coverage of the African continent can sometimes neglect the vast political, economic and cultural diversity of its many people and nations. But NPR’s recent radio piece on Somaliland serves as a breath of fresh air.
Situated in the Horn of Africa in a region made famous for chronic war and militant groups, Somaliland is breaking the mold and proving that “relative political and civil stability” is possible.
According to NPR, Somaliland just recently held a small-scale trade fair aimed at showcasing its products in order to attract foreign investment and improve its trade relationship with the international community. Emerging from civil war, the developing success story is even gaining attention from Washington for its unconventional levels of stability and security. To support flourishing cases like that of Somaliland, Johnnie Carson, the assistant secretary of state for African affairs, has indicated that the United States is planning to send more diplomats to Somaliland and increase its modest level of aid.
This year’s report looks at biofuels, cereals, oilseeds, sugar, meats, and dairy products from 2010 to 2019. Sounds delicious, right?
Well, for most people, it won’t be. Right now, there are more people that are hungry than ever before — 1.02 billion people. That’s one out of every 6 people on the planet. These people who battle extreme poverty every day also spend a large majority of their meager incomes on food. And most of these people are farmers who actually need to buy more food than they produce to survive.
So, when food prices rise –- as they did so dramatically in 2008 –- poor people run out of money to buy enough nutritious food to lead healthy lives. Or maybe they make different choices (like eating less or taking a child out of school) to help earn money for the family, or sell off assets such as cows and chickens -– which have deteriorating consequences for decades to come.
AIDS patients hurt by South African strike– Doctors and activists say AIDS patients aren’t getting treated because of a nationwide civil service strike in South Africa, due to fears of getting caught in violence and miscommunication over whether government hospitals are open. (Donna Bryson, AP)
Mobile HIV Test Unit a Hit – A mobile HIV test unit in the Congo is proving successful in encouraging citizens to get tested for HIV. However, while more than 5,000 have been tested since late 2009, the care services for those who test positive are proving unsatisfactory, including access to drugs. (Arsène Séverin, IPS)
How Africa can become the next BRIC – Economist Jim O’Neill argues that South Africa is poised to be the first African member of the BRIC group of rising powers – Brazil, Russia, India and China – as long as they maintain a focus on transparency and strive to foster a healthy business environment. (Financial Times)
Investing in Africa is not for the faint-hearted’, says equity firm CEO – An expert of West Africa’s emerging markets, Ngozi Edozien argues that proximity – and not “briefcase investing” – is the key to success for investors looking to tap into Africa’s up-and-coming economies. (David McKenzie, CNN)
Green revolution possible in Africa with helps, says professor – Professor and agronomy expert, Gebisa Ejeta says that a green revolution in Africa is possible but only with considerable external assistance in overcoming obstacles such as lack of education and infrastructure. (Liezl Vercueil, Mail & Guardian)
ONE is hitting the campaign trail to find out where candidates in New Hampshire, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio and Florida stand on extreme poverty. Stay tuned for more updates like these from our field team and organizers on the road.
On Thursday night, New Hampshire ONE members met up with U.S. Senate candidate, Rep. Paul Hodes (D-N.H.) at the American Legion in Manchester. Rep. Hodes was hosting a buffet supper and we caught up with him to talk about ONE and the world’s poorest people.
We thanked Rep. Hodes for always being a supporter and friend of ONE both in office and out on the campaign trail during our ONE Vote efforts in 2008. ONE members will also remember that Rep. Hodes wore the ONE band at the now-famous rally in Unity, N.H., where former Sen. Hillary Clinton stood together with former Sen. Obama – both with ONE bands, too!
We thanked Rep. Hodes for voting for PEPFAR, showing that the U.S. is committed to being the leader of the world in fighting HIV/AIDS in Africa. We also gave him another ONE band, and again, he wore it for the rest of the night! He said he would continue to think of the people living in the most extreme poverty if elected to the Senate.
The very next night, Rep. Hodes spoke with ONE member Whitney outside the Barley House in downtown Concord. They spoke of the Global Fund and the United States’ life-saving efforts in the poorest places in Africa — like simple bed nets to prevent malaria and medicine that allows Africans to not only survive HIV/AIDS, but to live a productive life for their families and communities.
It is hot outside in New Hampshire, but things are going to get even hotter on the campaign trail as ONE members from all backgrounds talk to Senate candidates about extreme poverty and a fresh new partnership between the U.S. and Africa!
Be sure to connect with other ONE Vote 2010 New Hampshire members on Facebook and Twitter.
ONE is hitting the campaign trail to find out where candidates in New Hampshire, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio and Florida stand on extreme poverty. Stay tuned for more updates like these from our field team and organizers on the road.
Thousands of miles of separation are not enough to keep two sister churches from running together to save lives. On Saturday, the International Anglican Church in Colorado Springs and sister church in Kibali, Rwanda hosted a race that raised more than $12,000 for the HIV/AIDS wing of the Kibali Health Clinic. The race took place simultaneously on the two continents with more than 380 runners in the United States and more than 250 in Rwanda.
ONE members Regina Hopewell and Tess Cox participated in the race. Regina submitted an excellent op-ed to the Colorado Springs Gazette about Rwanda’s progress.
Tess recently visited the clinic in Kibali, and while signing up new members, she emphasized the importance of the run and ONE’s Global Fund petition.
“As a pediatric provider, I know how important it is to care for pregnant mothers and that babies be born healthy. It only takes about 40 cents a day to provide the medication that mothers need in order to deliver a healthy, HIV free child,” said Tess.
Before and after the race, ONE members Tess, Regina, Mark and Andrea signed up more than 90 people with ONE, and 15 of them donned ONE T-shirts for the race. Congratulations to all the runners and visit Run for Rwanda’s website to see results, pictures and videos from the event.
Be sure to connect with other ONE Vote 2010 Colorado members on Facebook and Twitter.
- Nick Stevens, ONE Vote 2010 organizer, Colorado
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.jpg "Colorado ONE members at Run for Rwanda")
