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The Addis Ababa Summit on Cross Continental Cooperation. Report by Baiba Dhidha Mjidho, Assistant Secretary General of INISE

“The Future of the Millennium Development Development Goals in the African Union” Ethiopia 27th - 31st January 2014. Introduction The conference was organised by the Institute of Cultural Diplomacy based in Berlin, Germany to coincide with the 22nd African Union Summit held between 21st to 31st January 2014. The conference was attended by delegates from across Africa among them Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, DRC, South Africa and Nigeria. The panellists or resource were equally diverse from Universities, Government, UN agencies and civil society. INISE aisbl was favoured to present their vision, perception and program for Africa wide empowerment of the marginalised and disadvantaged. The delivery not being government driven, presentations and discussions were open and fact based devoid of patriotic flavour that would mask the status of achievement or impact of the various interventions. The theme of the conference being “The future of the Millennium Development Goals in African Union” ensured that the deliberations were not confined to what has been achieved relative to the remaining two years of the 15 year period but what actions are planned for the immediate and long term future of this global initiative.

The MDG's Initiative. The MDG is a global initiative of the UN designed for implementation by member states to assist and guide them implementing targeted interventions that are designed to impact or improve communities or the environment within defined and measurable parameters. Eight goals were identified as follows

Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger

Achieve universal primary education

Promote gender equality and empower women

Reduce child mortality

Improve maternal health

Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases

Ensure environmental sustainability.

Develop a global partnership for development.

Africa comprising of developing nations is among the geographical regions where attainment of the various goals would have transform and impact its population, infrastructure and environment. The evaluation and achievements are benchmarked within its the members states as well as regions clusters. There are various evaluation reports by different agencies documenting progress and status of implementation and achievement. Without going into depth, it is pleasing to note that by 2013, 15 out of the top 20 leading achievers of DMGs were from the African continent. While

INISE aisbl Adress : Square de Meeus – 38/40 Tel /fax : + 44 79079 53348 B 1000 Bruxelles Email: office@inise.org

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countries such as Ethiopia, Malawi and Rwanda performed exceptionally, there were also poor performers whose achievements disappoint.

Conference presentations. The conference covered the following areas

An overview of Africa's performance and achievements

Examination of Ethiopia's success and concerns

Role, impact and contribution of Universities.

Experience of Benue State of Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Need for transformation of leadership and perception.

Empowerment of disadvantaged in Africa by Europe with Africa; the INISE aisbl vision.

It was the general consensus and recognition by the eminent presenters in their papers that there was significant progress by all countries in Africa even though some had disappointing outcomes. Considering the time left of exactly two years to the end of 2015, even the exceptional performers among them Ethiopia, Rwanda and Malawi will not achieve fully the targets set by the MDGs. Africa is littered by areas of conflict making it impossible to make or implement meaningful interventions or progress. Inadequate resources, infrastructure or poorly formulated programs are among the constraints identified. It was sad to note that poor leadership or low skills was placed high among the impacting factors. Ethiopia's impressive performance was attributed to among others its polices or programs that were people oriented which were sensitive towards enhancing or adding value to the population. However, it was recognised that high investment and resource allocation to infrastructure resulted in insufficient resources allocated to support interventions that would impact MDGs outcomes. Also a big challenge recognised is the requirement of MDGs emphasis on physical facilities as part of evaluation criteria against quality of service delivery such as construction of hospitals, dispensaries or schools did not necessary imply equal delivery improvement in health service or education. Various Universities in Ethiopia including Sudan presented its innovations in rolling out programs that involved service delivery to communities with dual effect of providing practical experience to communities while the recipients benefits professional services beyond their resources. These are in currently in areas of law and agriculture but can easily be extended to other disciplines. Promotion of education gender balance was good example promoted in Sudan. The Universities provide these innovations within their limited resources. Apart from poor quality of leadership or skills in Africa due to professionals other than Lawyers venturing into politics, values and ethics is an issue of great concern. National ethics and values for leadership and citizens is an essential prerequisite for good governance, national stability and equitable development. This has been recognised and given prominence by appointment of Adviser on Ethics and Values to the Presidency in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

INISE aisbl Adress : Square de Meeus – 38/40 Tel /fax : + 44 79079 53348 B 1000 Bruxelles Email: office@inise.org

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The Benue State of Nigeria presented its roadmap to achieving the MDGs as typical indicator of the Nigerian experience. It is important to mention that Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa endowed with resources making it possible to internally finance programmes or project directly impacting the MDGs. The presentation covered several areas among them health, education, infrastructure and environment. Nigeria remained faithful to its commitment of investing the national debt write-off towards empowerment initiatives. Benue State between 2009 and 2012 invested US$ 2.5 bn which is highly commendable. An important aspect that received critical attention was the fatigue of Africa with initiatives and programs that inflicted more harm than good on the continent. Among these were the Structural Adjustment Programs of the World Bank which contributed to economic stagnation. It was the considered opinion of the conference that Africa becomes more involved in formulating and design of such initiative in order to build in ownership and relevance

INISE aisbl presentation. INISE aisbl was privileged to address the conference on its vision and aspirations for Africa towards empowerment of the disadvantaged. The bulk comprising of rural communities and including the distressed in urban centres. A number of facts were highlighted including

Africa with Europe partnership of formulation and delivery.

Eastern Europe common heritage with Africa of occupation and suppression.

Earnest and strong desire and resolve towards economic progress and development.

Experience of vibrant economic performance despite prevailing volatile conditions in developed nations.

Africa has both human and natural resources for sustained and rapid development.

Africa's should not be in position as continent in want or distress.

The presentation was receives with kin interest within the conference as well as ongoing exchange.

The Future of the MDGs. While considerable progress will have been achieved by end 2015, however, it has been recognised that the objectives of the MDGs will not have been achieved. It was further the understanding that the MDGs project goes beyond 2015 which means its only the first segment that will have come to a close. There is agreement at global level that the next phase designated “Sustained Development Goals” SDGs moving into 2020 will include an element of sustainability and inclusiveness within its parameters or execution parameters.