Irish President Michael D calls for African-driven alternative development models

Abstract

African leaders, thinkers and civil society activists were on Wednesday invited by Michael D. Higgins, President of the Republic of Ireland, to produce alternative models of development that are socially, culturally and ethically grounded. The evolving global order presents Africans with many opportunities and challenges but ones which – if met with effective and concerted policies at the regional and global levels – can lead to positive socioeconomic transformation. “Today Africa is at a critical juncture of its development. The discourse is shifting away from war and disadvantage to debates about human progress and sustainable development,” said President Higgins. Resource-endowed countries that depend on, and have over the last few years benefited greatly from increases of the price of, exported primary commodities should revisit the system of rents and ask whether the latter could be relied upon as engine of growth and development. President Higgins also added that Africa could seize the opportunities afforded her by global value chains. President Higgins is on an African tour, which starts in Ethiopia and will see him visit Malawi and South Africa.