The blessing of Africa: sixth ECA Silver Jubilee lecture

Abstract

The Jubilee Lecture series has now become an established tradition and is a permanent feature on the ECA calendar of activities. It was inaugurated in April 1983 to commemorate the twenty-fifth anniversary of the creation of ECA and at a time when the signs of a marked decline in the performance of African economies were clearly visible, even if, at the time, we did not anticipate the depth and duration of the economic crisis experienced since then. in this regard, the Silver Jubilee Lecture series, whose basic objective is to enable eminent world personalities who, from different perspectives, have been concerned with development issues, to share their thoughts and experiences with us. The participation of His Grace the Archbishop makes this lecture a most historic occasion. Not only is it the first time that the Primate of the Church of England is paying a visit to Ethiopia but it is also the first time ever that we are giving this forum to a man of God as distinct to man of affairs. His Grace the Archbishop has chosen The Blessing of Africa as the tide of his lecture. In the circumstances and conditions prevailing in our continent, many of you, may be wondering what blessing does, or can, Africa claim at this point in its history. It’s quite sure that by the end of His Grace's lecture we will all be the wiser and the more knowledgeable than we now are about this blessing.