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AFRICA
The 1997 "Group of Eight" (formerly known as G-7) economic summit in Denver focused special attention on Africa. Unfortunately, the world's
leading economic powers forgot to invite any Africans to participate.
The Clinton Administration continues to view Africa from the narrow
perspective of U.S. economic interests. Its proposed "Economic
Partnership with Africa" envisions a "NAFTA for Africa"
trade relationship, featuring continued World Bank and IMF structural
adjustment programs, which are currently wreaking havoc on employment,
education and health services across the continent. Food First's Africa
Program is taking these powers on. Our forthcoming book by Senior Analyst
Deborah Toler, Africa: Myths and Realities, and a media campaign
will present successful, African-created sustainable agricultural approaches,
part of our well-substantiated argument that with different policies,
Africa could be self-reliant in basic foods.
Agroecological Alternatives
The alternatives exist to produce ample food without poisons; agroecology is the science that shows us the way. Food First and Board Member Miguel Altieri of the University of California at Berkeley co-sponsored a two-week international agroecology course in June 1997, attended by 39 practitioners from 11 countries, who gave it excellent reviews. In March, Food First staff
members Peter Rosset and Deborah Toler, together with Miguel Altieri,
debated representatives of the World Bank, the Food and Agriculture
Organization of the U.N., and the International Agricultural Research
Centers over the future direction of global food policies. Peter and
Miguel continued the debate at a high level meeting held in Colombia
in October at the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT).
For more information, contact foodfirst@foodfirst.org.
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