Live 8, G8, and Africa

This is the second time I've attempted to write this entry, this software times out and I keep losing my entries so it is much more brief than the orginal. Next time I will write in a word processor so I don't lose it!

After taking African Politics this spring I pay a little more attention to the news about Africa, especially news about AID and debt relief. So I found last weekend and the last few days exciting and encouraging. First last weekend – besides being a holiday weekend and the Forth of July – many stars and performers participated in ‘Live 8’. This was a group of concerts on four continents to raise awareness to the problems in Africa. Of course Africa is a large and diverse continent with around 50 different countries, but these countries share many problems and issues that have their roots in the colonial project and western action. This isn’t a liberal cop-out it is a simple fact that Africa was exploited by European powers. These concerts may not end African problems but hopefully they can get normally people to care about the issue. Another similar campaign that is helping raise awareness is The ONE (http://www.one.org).

Another event also occurred this week the G8 conference in Scotland. This was a conference of the worlds most industrialized nations were many issues are discussed. This was the first year since 9/11 that the top subjects on the agenda were not terrorism. Unfortunately Al-Qaeda bombed London and changed some of the focus of this conference. This a heinous act that everyone is shocked at, even the predominate Muslim news sources are outraged about the bombings. In a stark contrast the G8 conference agreed to double aid to Africa to 50 Billion Dollars a year (though the US made no new commitment and I did not hear anything about debt relief) and a 3 billion dollar a year commitment to a new Palestinian government. Thought this will not stamp out the problems in Africa or the Middle East I am encouraged that the world’s biggest Economic powers may take steps that really promote the best in democratic ideals. We can hope.