TOO LITTLE TOO LATE FROM THE G8?

 

TOO LITTLE TOO LATE FROM THE G8?

 

By Hazel Southam of Tearfund

 

 

THOUGH many of the conclusions drawn by the world's most powerful nations may have been forgotten here in the UK because of the London bombings, they are still at the forefront of the minds of Africans.

 

In a communiqué uniquely signed by all the world's senior leaders at Gleneagles, the G8 made an agreement to commit $50 billion in aid by 2010. Eighteen countries will receive 100 per cent debt relief. And there was a commitment to improving trade rules, which will be discussed at the WTO talks next year.

 

British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, admitted that 'it is in the nature of politics that you do not achieve absolutely everything that you want to achieve' and he also alluded to differences of opinion, particularly on climate trade.

 

However, Mr Blair said that the talks had been a success; 'I believe that we have made substantial progress. We do not simply make poverty history by this communiqué, but we show how it can be done. That we have this commitment is because of a quite remarkable campaign in all parts of our country and all parts of the world also.

 

'If we implement this (communiqué), if we double aid, if we cancel debt, if we open up our markets, if we allow conflict to be resolved, we will save thousands of lives every day and millions of lives in the future.'

 

Mr Blair received glowing support from rock star campaigners, Sir Bob Geldof and Bono. Sir Bob said, 'This has been the most important summer there has ever been for Africa. Africa has got more in the last three days than they have ever got. They got that because 3 million people demanded that it should be so.

 

 

 

'The Africa Commission's plan asked for a doubling of aid by 2010. It's been achieved. The plan asked for 100 per cent debt relief. As we stand here 18 countries have been forgiven their debt. Nine more are on their way to receiving debt alleviation. I personally would like debt relief now.

 

'So on aid it's 10 out of 10, on debt it's 8 out of 10, and trade was never meant to be negotiated here.'

 

Bono added, 'A mountain has been climbed only to reveal higher peaks for sure on the other side of it. But it is worth looking back at where we have come: doubling aid to Africa has not been easy. It has been a very hard sell.'

 

Tanzania is one of the poorest countries in the world. The majority of people live on less than $1 per day. Life expectancy is 32 years. The good news from Tanzania is that debt relief has had a positive impact, with nearly all primary school aged children now able to have a free education.

 

 

Archbishop Mtetemela described what it is like to live on less than $1 a day, as many people do in Tanzania. He said, 'It is very difficult. Whatever small thing people have they have to think how can I use this for health, for education and food and clothing? So people lose hope in life.

 

'They cannot send their kids to school. Expectant mothers die in labour because they cannot afford the fare to the nearest clinic. The children die of malnutrition.'

 

He described the changes that have come about in Tanzania as a result of debt reduction. 'Kids go to school because the government has been able to renew school funds for the primary kids. They can do that because the money they used for debt repayments they can put into schools. I have also seen more schools being built. More roads have been built. The infrastructure is better.'

 

 

 

'I love my people, my poor people and I want to see them changed. If it meant dying, I would ask God to give me the grace to do so if it meant that my people's lives were better. I want them to have genuine joy and to appreciate life.' Archbishop of Tanzania, the Very Revd Donald Mtetemela.

 

 

 

 

For more information about Tearfund go to www.tearfund.org