Statement by Mr. Carlos Lopes at the 8th pan African conference, IFRC and ERCS: 8th pan African conference (PAC)

Abstract

Statement made by Mr. Carlos Lopes, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ECA at the 8th Pan African Conference of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies which is being co-organized with the Ethiopian Red Cross Society. The theme of this meeting is Investing in Africa. It is a particularly relevant topic to address in the Africa of today. A process of transforming victims to change agents which along with other positive trends will help to bring about a paradigm shift. To make today’s innocent victims of catastrophic events tomorrow’s change-makers requires that we equip them with relevant knowledge and technical skills. It means that they should have opportunities for gainful employment or entrepreneurship. They should be further supported to know their rights and demand accountability of governments at all levels. In other words, they should become “active citizens”.