REFLECTION

INTERNATIONAL FOOD SECURITY PROGRAMS: FEEDING OR BLEEDING AFRICA?

Talking about spirituality these days in Europe gives the impression that you are out of touch with life and immediately pitches you against those who want to uncouple religions from every sphere of human endeavour. Though the human elements of institutional religions have continued to rear their ugly head, the eternal truths and values they offer about the imperatives of justice and charity on the use of wealth and power for the common good cannot be eclipsed. However, there is an element in human nature that resists the imperative of justice and leads to behaviours that consistently and systematically violate the basic principles of Human Rights and international relationships. In the final analysis, the roots of our present socio-economic and ecological crises are spiritual and ethical questions of life. Read more
 

FROM THE AEFJN DESK

KEYS FOR SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC GROWTH IN AFRICA 

Given the new stage that comes with the UN-approved Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Economic Partnership Agreements should be negotiated and implemented with SDGs in mind. Among other aims, these SDGs look to eradicate extreme poverty, combat inequality and injustice, promote gender equality and preserve the environment. However, the technical negotiations of the EPAs seem to be concerned more about the growth of trade than about the people whom these agreements are intended to serve. Economic growth is not good in itself and cannot be the goal. Economic growth without limits leads to a model of unbridled consumption that causes irreparable damage to the population and the environment, especially in Africa. Therefore, I believe that to achieve sustainable economic growth, the EPAs should be inspired by the common good of the people and each particular measure should address human development while fully respecting the environment. Read more

SDGs: AN INSTRUMENT TO TACKLE CORPORATE POWER? 

The Sustainable Development Goals mention a path towards sustainable consumption and production; this will require a transformation of global value chains in which power is concentrated in the hands of corporate actors. Currently, transnational companies control about 80% of global trade through integrated value chains. Furthermore, throughout the world, multinational companies take advantage of loopholes in international laws to shift profits abroad while avoiding taxes. Current economic growth data are no measure for sustainability. The economic growth is achieved by extraction of resources and commodities, and concentrates the proceeds in a few hands while creating few decent jobs. If the SDGs are to be effective, it is imperative that they change economic power relations while ensuring that value can be created and retained in developing countries. For genuine sustainable development a paradigm shift is needed. Read more

ALSO IN THE NEWS

EU INVESTMENT REGIME HAMPERING PROGRESSIVE LAND POLICY IN CONGO 

In 2011 the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) passed a new piece of legislation, long-awaited by peasant organisations as it was expected to provide support for the 70% of Congolese people who depend on farming for their livelihood. Article 16 was designed to avoid land grabbing by foreign investors. It limited access to arable lands to Congolese citizens or enterprises with majority shares held by Congolese. This provision was denounced as discriminatory by foreign investors gathered in the Federation of Enterprises of the Congo (FEC).   Read more

STILL NO REGULATION AGAINST ENDOCRINE DISRUPTORS

When will the European Union finally regulate endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs)? There are about a thousand synthetic substances that are present everywhere in our environment (pesticides, herbicides, plastics, textiles, cosmetics, computers, building materials ...). Those best known by the general public are bisphenol A (whose use in baby bottles the EU has banned) or phthalates. Because of their interaction with hormonal systems, these chemicals are strongly suspected of being harmful to human health, so much so that the World Health Organization has described EDCs as a "global threat".   Read more

ACTIONS

SYMBOLIC ACTION IN BRUSSELS: STOP EU SUPPORT OF THE NEW ALLIANCE

On the 14^th March AEFJN, with Global Justice Now, Peuples Solidaires-Action Aid France, SOS Faim and CCFD-Terre Solidaire, called on the EU to withdraw its support from the New Alliance. The New Alliance is favourable to big business and helps it get access to Africa’s land, seeds and markets. These policies threaten the livelihoods of small-scale farmers and the food sovereignty of Africans across the continent. The action took place on the day that the Development committee of the European Parliament was meeting to scrutinise the New Alliance. Approximately 30 people from the different organizations and others joined the protest in front of the European Parliament and campaigned through social media.  Read more

VIDEOS

Réaction sur la loi européenne sur le secret des affaires (Only In French)

Viewpoint on the European law dealing with business secrecy.

Tournons la Page (Only in French)

Video campaign by African organisation in France

La participation de la Belgique à la banque Mondiale

Video Campaign SOS Hunger Belgium (Only in French)

Mining Coltan in the DRC

In a sector too often dominated by exploitation and human rights violations, the Fungamwaka mine demonstrates how the sector could be cleaned up under effective regulation. (anglais uniquement)

Enoughness: restoring the Balance in the Economy

Video on transforming the economy (anglais uniquement)

Petition to tell EU leaders to stop conflict minerals

Video Campaign for better regulation on conflict minerals with a petition "Tell EU leaders to stop conflict minerals" Sign Petition (anglais uniquement)