Summit Tries To Promote Africa (4)
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Mr. Delanyo,
Hello,
Before I attempt to answer these very worthy questions, let me point
you to the summit website:
There you will find the working documents (related to the 5 thematic
areas and the historical background summary), the websites of the re-
gional summits (not all have them), the procedures governing the de-
liberative process, other agencies/organizations involved, as well as
the National Summit Secretariat. Unfortunately, as I indicated in my
other email I had to leave prior to the last day of the summit. It
was at this session that defined plans for follow-up were discussed
and probably adopted.
The goal, from my perspective, is to develop a document which could
be used to frame/influence future US foreign policy towards Africa,
and to educate American about Africa and to make sure that everyone
understands that "Africa Matters", which was the Summit theme.
The primary working document (developed during the six regional Sum-
mits) was the "Draft National Policy Plan of Action for U.S.-Africa
Relations in the 21st Century". This document was deliberated, by
thematic area, for four days, with the goal to reach consensus (as
evidenced by majority vote) in each of the working sessions.
The major themes were:
a) Economic Development, Trade and Investment, and Job Creation;
b) Democracy and Human Rights;
c) Sustainable Development, Quality of Life and the Environment;
d) Peace and Security;
e) Education and Culture.
Extensive recommendations for guiding policy in these areas were pro-
posed, (as can be seen in the working documents). When I left each
area had achieved its goal of consensus (there are probably over 1000
recommendations) and a final draft document produced. Each state and
US territory was represented by a proscribed number of delegates.
Many of these delegates were African or of African descent (like my-
self, though I consider myself African!). There were both delegates
and non-delegates participating in the Summit, however, only dele-
gates could vote. By the way, there were also at-large-delegates
(both state and national level). You can find this process described
on the website.
If after reading this, and looking at the website please ask away. By
the way, I found the staff of the Summit secretariat very responsive
to my emails.
Arsenetta
A. Hawthorne
mailto:bcmarc@uclink4.berkeley.edu
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