Workshop:

  • Preparatory summary
  • Participants
  • Minutes of the workshop

Context and Problem:

It is now accepted that the identical reproduction of imported models explains the obvious failure of African attempts to resolve its problem of underdevelopment. The time has come for Africa to free itself of imposed foreign instructions and to define its own development approach based on the sustainability of its resources that is founded on more on long term investments which can generate prosperity instead of options such as foreign aid, debt or the export of raw materials that are no more adapted to new challenges.

Africa is facing the challenge of building and implementing an autonomous and original thinking about its own development. This requires the restoration and strengthening of African leadership particularly at the political, economic and social levels, to reshape a new type of African, a strategic state committed to development, a competitive and entrepreneurial private sector, a skilled managerial elite, a dynamic civil society, and integrated projects at all levels; the local to the continental level.

The building of integrated communities and endogenous research networks, education, training and mobilization of critical human resources in the service of African societies are therefore imperatives for the African economy and the continent’s sustainable development.

Proposition 1: Building integrated communities, endogenous research networks on the economies and African societies

Issues for discussion

  • It is common knowledge that continental development issues are becoming increasingly complex because of an international context that is characterized by uncertainty and risk! How can integrated research communities that undertake free reflection and carry out work towards endogenous solutions be built in this context?

  • How to integrate the diaspora into research communities in order to enlighten more African decision making processes and in so doing enhance an increased interest in integration as a catalyst to development?

  • How to make cooperative endogenous research on African societies a resource for strengthening cognitive and scientific skills which are the foundation of rational public decision and private sector choices?

  • What implementing strategies –consolidation-and research communities, networking at the local, regional and continental levels for the construction of an endogenous African development?

  • What are the African development priority sectors and strategic axes for which it is necessary to rethink analysis tools, instruments and information systems in use?

Proposition 2 : Train and mobilize competent human resources for the service of the economy and development of the African continent

Issues for discussion

  • What strategies and accommodation conditions for education, training and research systems adapted to the realities of African societies and its economic needs?

  • What educational system for the promotion and guarantee of collective values which are the ethical and political basis for living as a community?

  • How to reinforce the level of access as well as the quality of technical teachings of science in relation to challenges and African development opportunities?

  • What strategy for the development of integrated educational systems at the level of the continent which are connected to the rest of the world, in order to plug African educational systems into African economies critical needs?

  • What types of human resources mobilization at the continental level to accompany and support African continental development?

  • What kind of place for human investment as a strategic factor for the optimum performance of public and private sector organizations?