Meaning and contents of the programme for a revitalization of Africa
Authors: Dinic Jordan 
Published: October 2010

The programme for a revitalization of Africa through the New Partnership for Africa?s Development (NEPAD) project is determined by the need of the African continent to overcome its historic heritage and a rather unfavourable current situation, and to become part of the globalisation processes that had spread throughout the world in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. After a brief clarification of the terminology included in the very title of the above project, the author identifies and analyses the important characteristics of the current situation in the continent, which has been and still is conditioned by the marginalisation and isolation of the continent from the main streams and processes that had been expanding throughout the world over the past decades. Assessing that the underdevelopment and poverty are the essence of the problem, the subliming factor of all other negative trends and the main cause of the continent?s marginalisation in the world?s economic, political and civilizational developments, the main point of the analysis is actually focused on finding the causes of this situation. In that context, the legitimacy of colonialism, the consequences of the globalisation process in the African continent, the link between domestic and external factors in the cause-and-effect connection with the negative development of the continent are being analysed. The analysis of the important factors of the present and the future of the continent includes and identifies the historic and current advantages of the continent, which are also the realistic foundation on which the revitalization project rests on, such as natural and human resources and the richness of Africa?s culture, which has largely contributed to the diversity of the global cultures. In the section on the contents and objectives of the programme for a revitalization of Africa, the author points out several essential characteristics, underlining that the programme is a part of the African leaders themselves, that it is the authentic product of their awareness that without their own responsibility for the fate of Africa?s peoples the problems that those countries are faced with will not be overcome. Since the purpose of the programme for a revitalization is to include the continent in the globalisation processes its implementation depends directly on the support and assistance of the international community and the international agencies and organizations particularly of the African Development Bank, the World Bank and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. Namely, the global partnership for Africa?s development is directly correlated with the preservation of the global stability. A continuation of Africa?s marginalisation in the globalisation process would be a serious threat to both the world stability and the globalisation process itself, which would be incomplete without the inclusion of all of the world countries. With an identification and analysis of the main priorities of the Programme and of the mechanisms and responsibilities for its implementation, the author concludes that NEPAD?s implementation will be successful only if it becomes the property and a true concern not only of the leaders but also of all African peoples united in their diversity. The author analyses the historic and current external and internal factors that had caused the present situation in the continent, and identifies the potential natural, human and other resources. The programme for a revitalization also encourages the raising of self-consciousness of the segments of society at large about the realistic potentials of the African peoples, thus gaining also a mobilizing character. The author believes that the drawing up of the Plan of Action and its inclusion in the Programme is a rather positive side of the programme for a revitalization assessing it as a strategic mechanism for obtaining sustainable development in the 21st century. The Plan of Action identifies establishment of peace and stability, democratisation of the systems in African countries and formation of uncorrupted and competent governments, that would work in the interest of the people and not in the interest of certain groupings or individuals, as important conditions for the implementation of the strategy. The author also points out the basic sector priorities that the Plan of Action stipulates: overcoming infrastructural differences between certain sectors, investing in information and communication technologies development of electric power supply industries, transport and water supply. The development of human resources implies a poverty reduction, advancement of education system, upgrading of intellectual elite, development of health systems, agriculture, culture, science and technology. In the section on "Controversies, challenges and problems in the process of programme realization," the author tries to consider the Programme? vision, contents and objectives within the milieu of Africa?s present reality and the main development tendencies in the international scene, which would to a large degree determine the frameworks, scope and results of the Programme?s attainment in practice. In view of the diversity of cultures and traditions beliefs and religions, different historic heritage, and with this different external influences, disproportionate degree of economic and overall social development, conflicts within and among certain states, the tradition of unconstitutional rulers and rules, corruption and a series of other factor the author concludes that the project, basically substantial and progressive, will be faced with a number of challenges, dilemmas and difficulties, which would make its implementation uncertain, inconsistent and time-consuming.