From Africa Recovery, Vol.14#2 (July 2000), Watch page

OAU, MILLENNIUM ASSEMBLY
African intellectuals' appeal

Despite the pervasive negative external image of Africa, the region has enormous potential, based on its extensive human and natural resources, concluded a conference of African intellectuals held in Dakar, Senegal, on 22 June. That potential simply needs to be "developed with commitment and exploited to the benefit of the people," declared the meeting, organized by the Independent Commission for Africa, a pan-African network headed by Mr. Albert Tévoédjrè, a former deputy director-general of the International Labour Organization and until last year Benin's minister of planning. "The shortcomings and crises that one finds in parts of the continent should not be considered representative of the continent as a whole," said the declaration, which will be presented to the July summit meeting of the Organization of African Unity and the September Millennium Assembly of the UN.

Specifically, the group emphasizes that Africa must give priority to education, health and access to new information technologies, including through creating an African Technology Institute. It also proposes a Julius Nyerere Leadership Prize, named after the late Tanzanian leader and awarded to exceptional Africans who demonstrate "positive, non-corrupt leadership."

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