What our other readers are saying:
'We are crushing these people'
Cancel as much debt as possible. The need for education and health care cannot be put aside to make interest payments. We are crushing these people.
Mark Fritzel, Oakland, Calif., USA
Proceeds from a tax on SUVs could aid the poor
As one reads about the West's insatiable appetite for gas/oil (brought on by their love of SUVs and inefficient luxury cars) it is clear that the difference in efficiency between a a vehicle that gets 20 miles per gallon and one that gets 40 miles per gallon is roughly the total income of an impoverished family in sub-Saharan Africa. The owners should be taxed a luxury tax on those vehicles with the proceeds being deposited into village banking organizations so that the impoverished of the world can have access to the capital that can offer them the chance to gain economic independence and freedom from living on the edge continually.
Charles Stocking & James B. Crafton, Perrysburg, Ohio, USA
Population growth a problem
Until the doubling of the population every 25 years is brought under control, how is any aid going to benefit Africa?
Sid Robbins, Cape Town, South Africa
Grassroots programs are the key
Large road projects, bridges, dams, and power stations only bring in money that gets siphoned off to a few officials, and what money does get through produces an infrastructure that further exploits one of the last remaining environments on earth. No effort for Africa (especially money) is as effective in understanding and solving problems than the small scale programs run by the Peace Corps and similar groups. The key is to work closely with local community groups. Small successes will prompt larger programs, and soon small sections of the [Democratic Republic of Congo] (where I was born and raised) will be able to cope with their situations and establish peace, stability, and a viable economy. Most importantly, the West should learn the ways of Africa and find out what systems work best before proceeding.
John McMillan, Gig Harbor, Wash., USA
Westerners should come to regulate how their investments are spent
I personally think the Live 8 concerts were a sucess. The West should not allow some of the corrupted African leaders anywhere near the money, because they will probably invest it in their names. I think the Westeners should do it themselves – just come in and help build the economy by making sure they are there to regulate whatever they are building.
Louise Williams, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Free trade, property rights are key
Live 8 is a pleasant indulgence for the "stars" and the fans to think they are doing something. For a moment they may actually have stimulated some helpful discussion. $600 billion has already been transferred to Africa since the 1960s; the only effective solution is a capital market that allows trade and business to be established. The West has only made things worse by unintentionally supporting corrupt and tyrannical rulers. The road to freedom and prosperity for this continent so rich in natural resources is through the complete repudiation of socialism, the institution of property rights and the rule of law, and ultimately the insitution of governing structures that are transparent and democratic. But most important for the West is the lowering of trade barriers; most important for Africa is property rights.
Rodman Pilgrim Neumann, New York, USA
What can Africa offer to help itself?
We keep hearing, over and over, about what Africa "needs" ... education, food, medicine, infrastructure, more media attention. Yet all these things have been funded several times with nothing to show for it after decades of wishful thinking.
I, for one, would very much like to hear about what can Africa offer to help itself? After all the rhetoric, where's a plan? How about objectives, short, medium and long term? If they "need" investments, what guarantees can they offer that it won't be confiscated by the next group of thugs in power?
Egon Martinovsky, West Palm Beach, Fla., USA
US needs to meet its goals
The US government should meet its Millenium Development Goals commitment by the end of 2005. The plans are already available, the actions necessary are known and doable. I feel the US makes excuses (corruption in governments) rather than pitch in and make it work. This of course is a travesty when one is dealing with life and death.
Carrie Ballard, Utrecht, the Netherlands
Positive African models should be copied
The world needs to be informed about what is really going on in Africa. Obviously, in cases such as Darfur and eastern Congo, the conflicts must be pacified before people will stop dying. Then we can talk about development.
However, the press should let us know about areas in Africa which are flourishing, and they can be models for the rest of Africa. In short, positive developments need to be copied and multiplied while we avoid throwing money down the gutter by giving it to dictators to buy guns or to construct monuments to themselves.
Robert Leutwiler, Yabucoa, Puerto Rico
Activism more difficult than charity
While concerts provide a media event to raise awareness, they can do little else to alleviate poverty in Africa or elsewhere. The fact that the Live 8 events are about justice more than charity, however, is a critical message for Americans.
Activism is often more difficult than giving money because it requires us to be informed and express opinions. This is the heart of democracy. In a time in history when the US is losing lives to bring a democratic system to others, Americans should be more knowledgeable and active than ever. Decisions that we make everyday have local and global consequences. We have an opportunity to create a better world by voicing our concern for the poor. We need to advocate for policies by our government to cancel poor countries' debt, achieve trade justice and improve aid programs.
Kathy Carlisle, York, Pa., USA
Charity starts at home
Music and rock shows are not connected in any way to the plight of African people. African corruption means that money, goods, food, debt forgiveness, etc. are always going to serve the people in power first.
Charity starts at home. Cure poverty in the West first, then preach to others.
George Fedosov, St. Catharines, Canada
The fact that the Live 8 events are about justice more than charity ... is a critical message for Americans.
Kathy Carlisle, York, Pa., USA
|
Stop supporting dictators
Developed countries should stop supporting African dictators. Many African leaders don't want to leave power, and the longer they stay in power the more corrupt they become. African leaders should stop thinking that there are the only ones who can rule. As long as the G-8 does not stop giving money to these thugs, Africa will never become economically independent because no one would invest in a country that is not politically stable.
Samuel H. Mukasa, Florida, USA
Live8 musicians should open studios in Africa
I don't mean to be flippant but, if the musicians want to change Africa then they should stop recording in London and California and open studios in Africa. Create African record labels. Find out what inhibits business in Africa, and work to change it.
Donald Nicklas, Beverly, Mass., USA
US citizens are generous, but their government is not
American people themselves are generous. Volunteerism is always at an all-time high. It is our administration which is parsimonious, contributing only 2% of our gross national product to foreign aid. We can and should do much better!
Fran Coughlin, Cherry Hill, N.J., USA
If African leaders are not held accountable, the problem will never be eased.
Adewale Olukoju, Fontana, Calif., USA
|
Best way to help is to invest
The best way to help Africans to solve poverty is to invest in Africa. Tha will offer great opportunities for education and jobs and develop the infrastructure. The most important thing is to prevent funds from being diverted into officials' own pockets.
Aijun Liu, Chongqing, China
Leaders must be held accountable
If African leaders are not held accountable, the problem will never be eased.
Adewale Olukoju, Fontana, Calif., USA
'Free Africa? Free Trade!'
It seems that a lot of the discourse on 'Africa' is racist and stereotypical. Africa is a continent and as such offers a diaspora with many great, friendly, developed countries alongside the corrupt. ...
The recommendations for democracy and free-market capitalism are great, but western nations continue to disadvantage African nations vis-a-vis free trade. Heavy agricultural subsidies in America, Canada, France, and Germany work against the idea of free-trade for Africa, while the same nations promote it heavily on their own continents. The low-slow trickle of western aid, which is often a tacit approval of corrupt regimes, only works to placate the African aristocracy and 'prove' Africa's inferiority in Western media. Free Africa? Free Trade!
A. Mongeau, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Live8 a 'new take' on democracy
Live8 seems to be a new take on democracy. Instead of government referring an issue to people for referendum, the tables have been completely turned. And instead of people taking to the streets to shout their protest (as in the 1990's fall of communism) we are singing and dancing dissent.
Astonishing.
Sandra Beeton, London, England
Self help
Let Africa help itself.
Scott Manning, Jacksonville, Fla., USA
Debt relief won't help without strengthening of civil society
To help Africa, we need to continue to encourage the growth and development of democracy; not just legitimate electoral processes, but also, and more importantly, vibrant and effective civil society institutions. Debt relief is at best a very small part of the solution to Africa's problems. Until the governments of these countries become accountable to their people and make investments in their best interests, Africa will continue to be mired in poverty and misery. ...
Debt relief unaccompanied by the development of democracy will not help the poor teeming masses of disenfranchised humanity that inhabit these countries and live at the mercy of their unaccountable governments and apathetic elite classes. It will however, provide a bail-out for the rich investors in the advanced countries who have made risky and ill-advised investments in the poor countries and now realize that those investments will never pay off. ...
Mr. Geldof's concert will be successful in maintaining the wealth of the already wealthy elite classes in the advanced countries, but will, in all likelihood, have very little impact upon the lives of poor Africans.
Chad Weinberg, Washington, D.C., USA
Let Africa help itself.
Scott Manning, Jacksonville, Fla., USA
|
Help must come from Africa itself
The concert will not be effective except in raising awareness in our younger population. Help must come from Africa itself in wiser policies, eliminating corruption, and behavioral changes. Other nations' contributions are often lost to corrupt recipients and expected gifts decrease motivation in recipients to correct causes of the problems within their own societies and their governors.
Lorna Freihofer, San Anselmo, California, USA
Aid with accountability
I support the Bush administration's view that 'money with accountability' is the only way to make permanent changes. African leaders and warlords have proven time and again that simply providing money only provides for them! The threat to African progress is Africans themselves. Past aid has been corrupted by the Africans' themselves.
Michael Biever, Wheeling, Illinois, USA
Aid for local schools
Provide funding for efficient, well-managed projects to build schools and improve rural infrastructure. I work on such a project in Senegal, which works with communities to build rural middle schools. This enables all kids to continue their education close to home, near their families and communities. Giving all children access to 10 years of basic education provides the base for improving health and economic growth.
Larraine Denakpo, Dakar, Senegal
Aid wasted without good governance
The West should not take at face value those regimes in Africa who show a semblance of democracy to please the West. The West’s generosity and goodwill will be wasted unless good governance and accountability and due democratic process is in place in those countries the aid is awarded to, else I don't see any amelioration to African's problems. I trust that the concert will connect people to people, and increase the awareness to the dire situation in Africa.
K. Andargachew, London, United Kingdom
Help Africans achieve democracy
The West should stand for what it preaches and get rid of foreign policy based on double standards. If you preach democracy, help Africans achieve democracy. ...
Cancellation of debt, giving millions of dollars in aid and holding concerts to raise funds for Africa won't bring the required change. ...
G-8 countries need to seriously help Africa to be governed by the rule of law, good governance, and respect for human rights and democracy as enshrined in the NEPAD initiative.
The international community can be a catalyst of change, but real change must come from within Africa.
S. T. Jemere, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Generosity is overshadowed by corruption
Sadly, no matter how generous the West is to poor nations, the generosity will always be overshadowed by the graft, corruption, and lawlessness of their leaders, and everyone else who comes into contact with that money.
Neil Prestemon, Arroyo Grande, Calif., USA
Aid from the western world should be used mainly for education, health, food security and infrastructure development.
Michael M. Kibirango, Kampala, Uganda
|
Hire locals, not Western consultants
Aid should be used to benefit Africa, not the highly priced Western consultants and corporations. Why should aid be spent at such high rates when locals can often do the job, just as well, for 1/3 of the price.
Elizabeth Lewis, Montgomery, Ala., USA
West should stop selling weapons
The West should stop selling sophisticated weapons to African countries. There is no evidence to show that these weapons have been or will be used to defend the borders of the recipient countries. Most wars fought on the African continent are civil wars. In others words, Africa is spending so much money to 'commit suicide.' We are just killing our own compatriots.
Aid from the western world should be used mainly for education, health, food security and infrastructure development.
Michael M. Kibirango, Kampala, Uganda
Six ways to help
1. Invest. Build businesses with local people to provide jobs and opportunities.
2. Assist in the construction of infrastructure, especially roads, but put controls on the process to prevent funds from being diverted into corrupt officials' pockets.
3. Support education and tech transfer. Provide scholarships, send more of our technical people to Africa to provide direct help, etc.
4. Deliver the aid we promise. It is so slow to arrive that it often fails.
5. Recognize that the people of Africa are capable and seriously interested in building their countries.
6. The concerts may help raise interest a little, but until the American media take Africa seriously and provide more information, little will happen.
Carl Close, Falls Church, Va., USA
US media needs to pay attention
Pay attention! Part of the problem, I think, is that news focuses only on small one-line tid-bits of news or happenings in Africa, rather than providing an avenue for discourse. It probably has just as many problems as the Middle East and yet gets probably about 1/3 of the press (if that).
Maybe this well help raise some awareness, which is always good, and stimulate some interest and support. But a concert series can only do so much. It's up to the individuals who need to get together to help Africa help herself - however that help takes form.
Hil G., Tampa, Fla., USA
Africa needs investment
One of the areas that the West has spoken little about is real technological transfer. It is frightening to think that the only way governments think they can help is in the amount of money given. This is very one sided. Africa needs investment.
Africa needs companies that will build durable roads and dams. Africa needs to share in the IT revolution occuring in the rest of the world. Mobile phone companies have marvelled at the extent to which people in Africa have responded to mobile phones and the returns to companies like MTN, Vodafone, and Celtel.
The response would be just as strong if there was an increase in investment in IT and all that would be needed to support it. It isn't trade, aid, or debt relief that really matters, but investment.
Rev. David Kashangaki, Jinja, Uganda
Welfare doesn't work
Welfare doesn't work. It just enables more poverty.
Dave Allen, Trenton, N.J., USA
