Comments on: All I Want Is EU

By: dogwoman

dogwoman — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 14:02:13 +0000

I agree.
Agribusiness management, small entrepenurial enterprises, water treatment, waste management and health care that extends into rural areas are all issues that need to be addressed BEFORE ANYONE begins playing god with Africa. And the changes have to come from the governments themselves in a way that is familiar to the people. Not all western values are valued everywhere.

By: anotheca

anotheca — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 13:38:47 +0000

I think that anyone with money and influence who wants to “fix” Africa needs to pick one issue in one country, and start there. But start at the bottom of Maslow’s hierarchy and work up. No meddling in government until everyone has food to eat, and little kids aren’t dying of Malaria everywhere you look.

By: dogwoman

dogwoman — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 20:00:24 +0000

Well, as you know Bono’s ego is bigger than Africa’s problems.

actually I could write a giant book on the constant mis-management and interference of Western ‘humanitarians’ who don’t seem to be able to see the big picture. Gah!!!

By: anotheca

anotheca — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 14:36:15 +0000

yuck. I’ve been having difficulty articulating the huge issue I have with this, but I think it comes down to Bono being completely unaware of the scope of Africa’s problems.

The overall literacy rate in Africa is around 60%. School enrollment in sub-Saharan Africa has actually declined since the 1980s. 6.1% of people in sub-Saharan Africa have AIDS, compared to 0.11% in the US. Don’t even get me started on Malaria. And he thinks they need a new system of government?

When (depending on where you live) you can’t read, have almost a 1 in 10 chance of having AIDS, and 40% of toddlers you meet will die of Malaria, AND there’s a food shortage, you probably have bigger things on your mind than how your government might be structured in the future.

Sheesh.