A virtual visit with ARTE to get in the atmosphere of the twelve African countries that gained independence in 1960, please go to: http://www.arte.tv/afrique for web documentaries in French.
Une visite avec ARTE dans l'atmosphère africaine des 12 pays qui ont gagné l'indépendance en 1960. En français.
" Aware that the common good requires respect for the principles of democracy which include, among others; equality among persons, the sovereignty of the people and respect for the rule of law, the current events in the country indicate that there is a lot of fear and anxiety about the social, economic and political future of this country"
Mgr. Silvano M. Tomasi, representing the Vatican at the United Nations in Geneva has presented a statement asking for effective action to guarantee Universal Access to medicines for all persons.
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A change in the approach to Neglected Diseases
While "the big three" infections AIDS, TB and malaria have caught the world's attention, other disabling and fatal infectious diseases in Africa are being ignored. Sleeping sickness, elephantiasis, leprosy, trachoma, leishmaniasis, are among neglected diseases that still ravage lives covertly. Until very recently, they have been receiving relatively little attention from researchers, pharmaceutical companies, donors, policymakers and public health officials.
Europe trade deal could hit access to generic drugs
Today India produces most generic drugs for the poor.
A Trade agreement now in the works between the European Union and India could make it harder for millions of patients in Africa to get lifesaving drugs.
Stricter intellectual property provisions Europe has proposed will hinder the time-line production of low-cost generic drugs in India for use across the developing world.
The destiny of millions of poor patients will be decided by this trade agreement between the EU and India... If patent rights override patient rights, that's the end of the story" said Amar Lulla, joint managing director of CIPLA, one of India's largest generics manufacturers.
Fighting the proliferation of small arms in Africa
Small arms are one of the main causes of death in Africa. The widespread and often uncontrolled presence of small arms in different parts of the continent and the facility to buy and use them has become a scourge in itself.
Civil and inter-state conflicts drive demand for small arms and create a pool of weapons which can be used to commit violent crime as well as fuelling conflict. Small arms such as assault rifles are especially suited to the irregular warfare because they are cheap (an AK-47 Africa’s favourite killing machine can be easily bought for as low as $12).
Eni's activities in Congo
In May 2008, Eni announced a new agreement for $ 3 billion investment in tar sands, palm oil for bio-diesel and electricity in Congo-Brazzaville. None of the terms of the agreements between Eni and the Congolese government have been made public because of a confidentiality clause in the contract. This goes against Eni's own ethical code. The agreement was signed without consulting the civil society in the regions involved in the agreement.
The agreement between Eni and the Congolese government foresees the extraction of tar sands in an area of 1790 square kilometres. Producing a barrel of oil extracted from tar sands generally causes an emission of greenhouse gases 3 to 5 times higher than "normal" oil extraction. Eni also continues the practice of gas flaring in the Congo. Read more
Slow progress in EPA negotiations
Commissioner for Trade Karel De Gucht admitted that the progress the EU is making in the EPA negotiations is not satisfactory and announced that he intends to look closer at the issue over the next months in order to find a way forward. He declared himself flexible on technical details such as market opening but at the same time he also stressed his belief that EPAs are the right solution and that Africans need to understand that EPAs are good and important for them. Read more
Food Sovereignty, a concept AEFJN supports
Main Focus of AEFJN
AEFJN is attentive to political decisions concerning economic relations between Africa and Europe.
AEFJN lobbies the European Union and member states to promote sustainable development in Africa; to monitor the impact in Africa of EU policies, agreements and protocols and to promote socio-economic strategies that take into account the views of African people for a sustainable development.
AEFJN insists on the right and the responsibility of Africans to make their own policy for development.
AEFJN listens to the voice of Africa... brings this voice to the EU, so that African reality influences EU policy to promote sustainable development in that continent.