- Africa

For a few years now, Africa has occupied the front of the international stage. In particular, it is central to the concerns of the G8 as it is to the Millennium Development Goals set by the United Nations in 2000.

Suffering too often from a negative image in the media and world public opinion, Africa nonetheless abounds with examples and models of success that this Label France special feature is designed to highlight.

Economic expansion and social dynamism, a media boom, progress in democracy and the Rule of Law, the beginnings of regional integration, the settlement of internal conflicts by the African countries, success in resolving conflicts that many thought hopeless, creativity in all areas from literature to design, including photography, dance, fashion and music, Africa is a continent on the move! Full of contrasts, fascinating, with a wealth of ancestral resources and living strengths, 21st century Africa is marked by the importance of its young people, who today account for more than 60% of the continent’s population. This continent’s future depends on their participation in the development process. Its stability rests on the ability to provide them with prospects. This is why "African youth, its vitality, creativity and aspirations" has been chosen as the theme of the 23rd Africa-France Summit, which will be held on the 3 and 4 December 2005 in Bamako, Mali, in the presence of all the States on the continent.

The priorities discussed in Bamako will not only be education and employment, social, political and economic integration, the use of new information and communication technologies, but also cultural diversity, the treatment of migration related issues and the major health challenges.

France is contributing to the general deliberations by focusing more particularly on the problem of getting skilled workers to return and the contribution of Africans working in the Northern hemisphere to the future of their continent of origin.

The Summit has been preceded by an African Youth Forum held in Bamako from 8 to 10 November and which led to a declaration addressed to the Heads of State and Government who will be meeting at the beginning of December - so that Africa continues to move, in the right direction.

Source : "Label France" No. 61