By Philippe
Cori*
BRUSSELS, Apr 2014 (IPS) - As African and European leaders meet in Brussels
this week under the theme of “Investing in People, Prosperity and Peace”, it is
clear Africa’s greatest natural resource, its children, must be centre stage.
Between 2010 and 2025, the child population of sub-Saharan Africa will rise
by 130 million, making it the youngest continent in the world. By 2050, one in
every three births and almost one in every three children under 18 will be in
Africa.
Yet for this youth dividend to be the driver of Africa’s prosperity, it is
critical that all of the continent’s children have the right foundations to be
able to participate as well as benefit.
This means equitable access to basic quality social services in health and
education, especially early childhood care as well as access to safe water,
sanitation, good nutrition and protection from abuse, violence and
exploitation.
A lot of the focus is now on how business can be a critical driver in the
continent’s transformation. And there is no doubt that new economic
investment is yielding results, stimulating growth and new opportunities.
But it is also clear for Africa to ultimately benefit from these economic
investments, it still needs a development focused partnership that builds the
foundation of a strong, fair and equitable society for its youngest
citizens.
In many parts of the African continent, life for millions of children is
changing for the good. Along with the new investments in infrastructure, the
rapid changes in access to mobile technology and an increase in economic growth,
the good news is more children are living beyond their fifth birthday, more
children are going to school and more children are better equipped for the
challenges of the 21st century.
As Europe’s own experience demonstrates, investments in early childhood
care, good nutrition, a quality public health system and safety nets to protect
the most vulnerable, are the foundations that lead to stable, inclusive
and prosperous societies.
Over the last decades, development assistance from partners like the
European Union and its member states has been critical to expanding and
improving the quality of basic social services, especially for the poorest and
most marginalised children. The success can be measured in concrete results,
including a drop in child mortality by 45 percent between 1990 and 2012 and an
increase in primary school enrolment among others.
We also know there is much more to be done. At least one in three children
under five in Africa are stunted and over half of the world’s out-of-school
children live in Africa (33 million).
Preventable disease like pneumonia, malaria and diarrhoea still account for
40 percent of all under five deaths. Hundreds of millions remain without access
to safe water and adequate sanitation. Poverty pushes families to migrate,
affecting children directly: whether they are left behind, migrating with
parents or alone, they are increasingly exposed to vulnerabilities, including
child trafficking — its darkest facet.
And we also know that economic growth, trade and business alone cannot
translate Africa’s youth dividend into the dynamic asset it could and should be.
Investments in human security, strong public institutions and equitable access
to basic social services will remain vital to stability and our shared global
prosperity.
Europe’s commitment to Africa’s children, especially the poorest, is still
needed. Not just because it makes good business sense as it can help make sure
there is a financial return on economic investments.
Not just because it will lead to less chances of conflict, insecurity and
displacement. Not just because it makes sense for our shared humanity and our
shared global future. But ultimately because Europe is and can make a difference
by giving every Africa child the opportunity to reach their potential, to
determine their own future and write their own story.
Article courtesy of THE OTHER NEWS INITIATIVES
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