Hello Brother Cliff:
Happy Seasonal greetings. Once more, a deserving applause for your amiable disposition and knowledgeable presentation at the program honoring Mandela's life and legacy on December 22, 2013.
I believe we have gone through the Sixth Region wahalaterminology to capture all black people. We should not be hung up on "assimilation as one" thinking since the African Union has redressed the impracticality with specific approaches, which I have cited in this mail. We can have partnerships on identified goals and results.Smile.
But I understand your point. 30 years ago, there was hardly a Continental African community. By default, all blacks were regarded as a single, "indistinguishable" group in the Diaspora. African students were expected to study and return home as both my parents who studied abroad did in earlier generations. Meanwhile, Continental Africans manifested no interest in public affairs, talk less of understanding what Blacks or Whites were all about..
Names like Jesse Jackson, Rainbow Coalition, Africare, etc. were tantamount to power, more signs and plenty of wonders. That was before the fall of the Berlin Wall with winds of change and multiparty systems blowing via Eastern Europe to Africa, whereupon Africans started criticizing dictatorial regimes and African Americans who supported them. That ended the era of fascination. In an unprecedented display of the idea, Cameroonians followed the motorcade of President Paul Biya who came to receive an honorary degree in Maryland Eastern Shore. The citizens abroad were not to salute him but to pelt him with tomatoes.
Now, for real, Brother Cliff, you think Continental Africans are going to be defined by a Sixth Region that African Americans lobbied African heads of state to grant? For all practical purposes and also God's sake, why on earth would indigenous persons who know the precise villages they come from within the five regions in Africa, have families that they support at home; contribute to the development of projects; some contesting in elections, etc. decide that they no longer know precisely where they come from in Africa and, therefore, they shall act as a Sixth Region in the Diaspora? Whatever anyone would be smoking, can it induce such terminal amnesia and disorientation?
The concept of Transnational Communities - those outside their homelands who trace their origin to specific countries/regions where they maintain unbroken ties - aptly describes immigrant-oriented populations. Like the Jews, Asians and Hispanics, Continental Africans constitute a Transnational Community that adapts in a new land but maintains its identity and perpetuates its culture from one generation to the next.
Given the normal evolution of any new and emerging population, with the increase in numbers, awareness, public education and resourcefulness come self-defining identity and self-determining agendas. The growing Continental African population boasts of vibrant groups generating the billions to Africa; an active second generation; top talents in every profession; people running for public offices; families living in America and building homes in Africa, etc. In Prince George's County, Md that attracts many candidates at primaries, Continental Africans have decided who won with swing votes.
Based on the recent, specific approaches of the African Union (AU), it is clear that when the Sixth Region was conceptualized, African Heads of State had little or no idea on the distinguishing characteristics of Continental Africans, their vitality and contributions, both in contents and styles.
Therefore, it comes as no surprise that with the published findings of an estimated $120 billion capacity of the Continental Africans, the AU had to rethink its policies by specifically addressing the Continental African productivity. One of the immediate outcomes is the African Institute of Remittance that would be sensitized at the Jan 18th event: http://pages.au.int/remittance/about
Rethinking is a constructive step when new and consequential information becomes available. Sticking to anachronistic methods is anti reason. The AU has to be commended for smarting up to reality. Even the World Bank, European Union, and other development institutions have acknowledged the indigenous capacity in the Diaspora. Our task is to identify and facilitate the utilization of the expertise toward a self-reliant Africa.
The example of the ECOWAS ( Economy of West African States) Summit in the Diaspora on October 2013, which was held at the Nigerian Embassy and presided by the head ECOWAS Commissioner, Desire Ouedraogo ( from Burkina Faso) with the attendance of the ECOWAS Ambassador Group, brings practicality to light. The example contradicts the encompassing Sixth Region when the same governments are actively including their regional constituents living in the Diaspora in their outreach. Please find attached the power point.
Nations from the CEMAC Region ( Gabon, Chad, Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea and the Republic of Congo) do not require visas to travel within the region and have a common passport. This includes those living abroad when they travel within the region.
Even within African countries, states governments have offices that deal with Diaspora Affairs to engage their indigenes living abroad. For example, one of our colleagues, Mrs Remi Duyile, returned to Africa after donkey years in the US to become the Special Adviser to the Ondo State Governor (Nigeria) on International Relations and Diaspora. Even though a US citizen, Ondo remained her home state.
In light of these realities, the "Sixth Region" cannot functionally "define all African and African Descendant people living outside the African Continent."
The facts help in designing practical approach to engagements. There are organizations like TransAfrica; Africare; Constituency for Africa; National Summit on African - Africanization society; World African Diaspora Union, and possibly more well-meaning African-American led entities with a mission to foster African American involvements in US-Africa foreign policies and developments. So the issue cannot be lack of African American involvement. The question is: are the groups cooperating on common causes?
If so, this will encourage purposeful dialogue and practical partnerships on a variety of developments such as: Education Exchange; industrialized agriculture; business investments in Africa; advocacy on hot button issues relating to Africa, etc.
The program on Jan. 18, 2014 will launch: The Harnessed Power of the Diaspora.The flyer will be sent .
What is your group bringing? Collard green, corn bread for the Connection Through Food.....LOL
God Bless You and see you on Jan. 18.
MsJoe
--On Thu, Dec 26, 2013 at 9:07 PM, Cliff <cliff@kuumbareport.com> wrote:--Greetings All:
There are those of us among the African Descendant Community (some refer to us as the "Sixth Region", though I believe that term was originally meant to define all African and African Descendant people living outside the African Continent) who want to better connect to the Continental African Community, not only in terms of organizational communication but also to form proactive partnerships for business development, philanthropic efforts and grassroots community organizing. Perhaps, if these partnerships can be developed and nurtured effectively, a coordinated means of communication can be promoted, maybe through member groups' Websites, that not only helps us keep each other informed about what we're doing but help keep our community informed as well.
There are all sorts of organizations in our community that are struggling to advance their important work despite a lack of funds, a lack of organizational connections and a lack of public awareness. Many in our community also suffer from a collective attitude of accursedness ("we're all catching hell; we are powerless; we aren't making any progress; things are getting worse for us; the forces arrayed against us are too powerful; how can we survive?") that comes from our lack of knowledge of those organizations and individuals that are truly making things better for African people. This attitude might be at least partially cured through the establishment of better connections between our organizations and our community. I would think that better connections for all of us can come from better coordination and the formation of some sort of cooperative relationship that extends Diaspora-wide.
There have been a number of efforts to create formal coalition-style organizations over the years that have met with varying degrees of success. Maybe all we need is an informal agreement among our different organizations to share information and to support each other when we can.
My organization, the Sixth Region Diaspora Caucus (SRDC), recognizes that if we are to truly succeed in our mission to reach out to, galvanize and mobilize the grassroots African Diaspora (including Continental Africans and African Descendants), we have to find ways to better connect to both communities, and to help both communities connect with each other. My Website (http://kuumbareport.com) would also be available to help keep our communities informed about important information and events toward that goal through our blog and our Community Calendar.
Ms. Joe, is the January 18th event open to the public, or are you targeting and inviting specific organizations and organizers to attend? I want to know if you think it would be suitable for my Website's Community Calendar. If not, no problem. But if so, do you have a "formal" Press Release or Promo/Flyer to announce it?
Peace and Power,
Bro. Cliff
Editor, KUUMBAReport Online (http://kuumbareport.com)
Maryland State Facilitator, Sixth Region Diaspora Caucus (http://www.srdcinternational.org)
On 12/26/2013 10:48 AM, MsJoe21St@aol.com wrote:Hello Binta and all:I believe the African community in the Diaspora has more going than has been formally documented and sensitized. The vacuum in indigenous organizational leadership is being addressed judging from the successful, interactive programs we have organized with diverse representation from African groups.The approach of engaging Africans as subjects/targets of their own development is new and working. In this case, the old paradigm of an agenda developed by "external source" is less likely to be embraced by indigenous African groups. Some of the external creations are structurally irrelevant and devoid of contextual realities. However, partnership is fine if the partners recognize that ultimately, Africa has to do for self by avoiding crippling dependencies.Sure, an appreciable number of Continental Africans and groups are AFRO-OPTIMISTS with records of accomplishments that surpass foreign aid. This fact has been acknowledged by the World bank, African Union, European Union and other global institutions.Other organizations can put together events that promote empowering change given the multi-faceted need. Just asking....we don't have any African company that can drill oil?Back to it, based on encouraging feedback, to kick off Vision 2014, save the date: January 18th, 2014 from 5pm to 9pm.SHOWCASE OF THE POWER OF AFRICA DIASPORAAFRICA DIASPORA's CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE AFRICAN RENNAISSANCE.The innovative program, with groups modeling their accomplishments, will address the African Union's outreach by educating /informing African governments on the role of the African emigre community. Members of the US House Subcommittee on Africa, USAID, etc. may also learn valuable lessons indigenous capacities. Ditto for all interested in Africa.Have a wonderful Holiday Season EveryoneMsJoe--In a message dated 12/26/2013 9:23:07 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, binta@allafr.org writes:So many of us are discouraged and that is not good. Nobody can solve Africa's problems but Africans themselves.
Perhaps, a new approach is what is needed. Which one? That is something the Diaspora needs to seriously think about.
Venting our frustration by insulting each other when we disagree has not changed anything. We should therefore, seriously engage in a concrete paradigm shift about Africa.
First, let's start by agreeing to disagree without insulting someone when we don't like what the other person is saying. If need be, we communicate via Skype to clear any miss-understanding.
Let's remember that communication via email can easily be miss-interpreted therefore, one should always seek clarification before "jumping the gun" and hitting the other person.
Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas with your loved ones.
BintaSent via BlackBerry from T-MobileFrom: "Otitigbe Obadiah Oghoerore Alegbe \(The Okatakyie Otitigbe of Africa\)"<otitigbe@oviri.com.ar>Date: Tue, 24 Dec 2013 23:11:04 -0300ReplyTo: africanworldforum@googlegroups.comSubject: Re: [africanworldforum] Fwd: Africa: Africa in 2014: African voices in the development debate -- MDG for Africa or Consultants?Binta.Many of us had offered many solutions. I myself projected solution to energy, drinking water, even up to the kind of nuclear technology that Africa needs and how tog et it. The truth if Africans in the place of decision accept only what a white man present. I remember a French young man who told me in Buenos Aires to give him one of my Project for France to present it. I told him that if my people do not believe me, let them remain so.I told the Former Foreign Minister during his visit to Buenos Aires some years ago that "when you sit in a buka and NEPA takes light, remember me. The way Nigeria goes about energy, there will be no electricity in Nigeria for 500 years. The tragedy is that Nigerians do not even know the quantity of energy needed nor how to come by the solution". We have debated it in this forum many times and all i received was insults. Many Diasporas remain silent because they cannot stand insult. So i began distance education for the youths in my Ethnic nation free of charge and in the due course I will chip in how they can on local bases provide solution based on their local idiosyncrasy. You can see one of my web pages www.oviri.com.ar , there is a sector called African Project where based on my experience at home and in Liberian jungle, I profess activating the economy of the villagers through micro-industries. The copy of the project was presented to the Nigerian Embassy in Buenos Aires. Yet the Senate energy committee many time came to Argentina in one case invited by a woman who posed as expert in Energy, they visited the white people in Argentina and Chile and they went home after spending on tourism. No people who do not trust their own can ever achieve progress.Otitigbe.From:Binta TerrierSent: Tuesday, December 24, 2013 4:40 PMSubject: [africanworldforum] Fwd: Africa: Africa in 2014: African voices in the development debate -- MDG for Africa or Consultants?--In case you missed this one. Worth looking into. Billions of US$ are often raised in the name of Africa but to what usage? This time around, with all the highly educated diaspora around the world, we should be able to do something? No?Binta---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: MELVIN FOOTE
Date: Tue, Dec 24, 2013 at 1:16 PM
Subject: Africa: Africa in 2014: African voices in the development debate -- MDG for Africa or Consultants?
To: Amina Salum AliFYIWhat was the outcome of the MDG?" ..One of the chief criticisms of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) – the United Nations (UN) anti-poverty targets that include reducing child mortality by two-thirds and halving the proportion of people living on less than $1.25 per day by 2015 – was that they were drawn up without consulting African countries."How about involving the Diaspora? There are many competent Africans in the diaspora who could help/advise on the feasibility of some of the "experts" recommendations and the budget. Else, all the funds will again be spent on recruiting/financing consultants, and in more meetings and more reports.BintaAfrica in 2014: African voices in the development debate
One of the chief criticisms of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) – the United Nations (UN) anti-poverty targets that include reducing child mortality by two-thirds and halving the proportion of people living on less than $1.25 per day by 2015 – was that they were drawn up without consulting African countries.Maternal and child mortality are two targets of the MDGs. Photo©Jan GRARUP/LAIF-REA
As the 2015 deadline fast approaches and discussions have turned to the post-MDG agenda, African countries are working hard to ensure their voices are heard this time.
The January 2014 African Union (AU) summit should allow leaders to reach an agreement on a common position, which will determine the stance African countries will take in the final post-MDG negotiations due to begin in earnest at the UN in early 2015.
The adoption of the common position will be the culmination of more than two years of consultations led by the AU, the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the African Development Bank and the UN Development Programme.
Discussions are now centred around five priority areas: structural economic transformation and inclusive growth; science, technology and innovation; people-centred development; environmental sustainability and natural disaster management; and financing and partnerships.
The AU appointed Liberia's President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf as head of a 10-member committee to oversee the process.
It must whittle down the list to one or two key issues before presenting its decision to leaders in January.
Johnson Sirleaf has suggested that peace and security should take precedence.
Carlos Lopes, the executive secretary of UNECA, argues there can be no development without economic transformation.
Employment creation and social protection are essential, according to Lazarous Kapambwe, special adviser to the chair of the AU Commission.
"There are no-brainers which are common to every country," says Aida Opoku-Mensah, Lopes's special adviser on the post-2015 agenda.
"But when it comes to certain areas like economic transformation, for instance, there is a mindset: those countries that are doing well, that have experienced economic growth, are bolder. Those that aren't really doing so well are the ones that are holding back."
However, Opoku-Mensah insists negotiators are building a consensus around the importance of inclusive economic growth.
This is mirrored at the international level, according to Arancha González, executive director of the International Trade Centre.
She says two issues need further discussion: the role of trade – in particular value addition – and the role of small and medium-sized enterprises.
"We have to make sure that the [economic] growth dimension doesn't come as an afterthought," she says.
There is concern that the 2012 Rio+20 conference's list of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has complicated the post-2015 debate.
Gunilla Carlsson, a member of UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon's high-level post-2015 panel, tells The Africa Report that there is a danger that the two tracks – the SDGs and the post-2015 development agenda – could harm each other.
"We have to have an integrated agenda," she stresses.
BintaFounder, Executive Director of PLADIRS 501(c) (3) Registered EIN: 45-4524929
--BintaFounder, Executive Director of PLAD
IRS 501(c) (3) Registered EIN: 45-4524929
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