Statistically that means that one in five of the educated next generation risk being lost before they can make their contribution to this continent which so needs them. Cameroon and the African nations must make a genuine commitment, with realistic programs, to end these scourges. The U.S. will be there with support but the commitment must come from here. The third, fourth and fifth steps on President Clinton's list are no less important, but, perhaps for tonight, we can take note of them more as issues to be understood by the next generation of our leaders rather than ones they need to conquer before college. The third essential step he identified is to build an open world trading system, which will benefit Africa and every region of the world.
Open markets mean better living standards.
There is no denying the evidence. From the 1970s to the 1990s, developing countries that chose trade grew at least twice as fast as those that chose not to open to the world. Number four is providing debt relief to those African nations, which have committed themselves to sound government practices including open political and economic systems. Debt relief will enable African countries to dedicate their resources to educating their young, alleviating poverty, and improving health standards for their citizens. Simply said, the leadership of Africa must end the bloody conflicts killing people and annihilating progress throughout the Continent.