Human Security Dialogue Forum: The Credit Crunch - Implications for Africa
Addis Ababa, 28 July 2009
- Programme (PDF 64kb)
- Summary Report (PDF 84kb)
- Presentation on The Implications of the Global Economic Slowdown for Africa: A Synthesis, Dr Lulit Mitik, Center for Development Consulting, Addis Ababa (PDF 261kb)
- Presentation on Africa's Opportunities and Challenges in a Risk-Averse World, Dr Michele Ruiters, Development Bank of Southern Africa (PDF 68kb)
The African Human Security Initiative Secretariat at the Institute for Security Studies, and the Hanns Seidel Foundation cordially invite you to a Human Security Dialogue Forum:
28 July 2009, Hilton Hotel, Addis Ababa, 09h00 - 13h00
Africa is already struggling with rather stagnant economies and increasing poverty levels, the sagging world economy is likely to leave the region worse off. This compels us to scrutinize issues such as: What will be the likely fate of the partially state controlled state economies in the region? How are cash economies managing the crisis and How will these countries cope with the likely new IMF loans [the G20 gave 500 billion us dollars to the IMF to recycle as loans] when these crisis-hit countries are already running out of foreign reserves? The G20 meeting agreed to have the IMF issue $250 billion in Special Drawing Rights, but instead of using this to assist countries in need, it was decided to allocate this to the 186 IMF members according to their quotas or voting shares. As a result, 44% will go to the richest seven countries, while only $80 billion will go to middle-income and poor developing countries.
Many other North-South financial/trade co operations are already affected by the sluggish world economy. This dialogue forum aims to draw attention to the current prevailing opportunities for Africa to reinvent itself and shift the conditional ties in its favour. Trading and financial aid policies can thus be reformed in this period in a manner that enhances the human security of African citizens by contributing to poverty alleviation.
The tone for this forum will be set by experts: Economists from the African Development Bank, political analysts from international organisations and researchers. The intention will be to propose means of preparing to cushion the ordinary citizens from the impacts of the credit crunch.
Please confirm your participation and do not hesitate to contact us for further information.
RSVP: Alice on Tel. 011 372 1154/5/6 shaile@issafrica.org or Dr. Annie Barbara Chikwanha achikwanha@issafrica.org
