FROM
AFRICA TO AKRON,
AFRICANS DESERVE A LIFE OVER DEBT!
-- In the global struggle for human rights Africa is
ground zero. With a majority population living on less than $1 a day,
chronic famine, conflict and the growing impact of the HIV/AIDS pandemic,
Africa should be at the center of our global moral compass.
As part of the American Friends Service Committee’s effort to
educate, cultivate and empower the next generation of Africa advocates
who will work for the next fifty years to positively impact U.S. foreign
policy toward Africa, four debt specialists visited Akron and Kent State
University as part of the Life Over Debt: Africa in the Age of Global
Apartheid tour— a nine city, twenty-four college campus speaking
tour designed to increase awareness and inspire young people to organize
around the issues that most affect the African Continent, including
HIV/AIDS and international debt. On Tuesday, February 8th, a committed
group of activists listened as Nomsonto, John, Jean Claude and Jakeya
discussed the impact of the debt on their countries. Nomsonto Mthimkulu,
National Coordinator, of Youth for Work, South Africa. Her responsibilities
included Fundraising, coordinating provinces, decision-making, Capacity
building, Materials development. Her active participation with youth
for work led to the growth of membership in Youth for Work and extension
of the education budget in South Africa. She is also the Provincial
chairperson of Jubilee South Africa
Speakers Included:
John Bomba
John Bomba is currently working as the national coordinator with Students
Against Privatization (SAP), Zimbabwe. SAP campaigns for “Free
quality public education for all” He is active in the Zimbabwe
Anti-Privatization Forum, Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development
and the Zimbabwe Social Forum.
Jean Claude Nkundwa
He is working for the mission for Christianity ministry as the chief
of the Department of Peace and Reconciliation in Burundi, where he is
in charge of organizing reconciliation workshops in youth associations
Jakeya Caruthers
Jakeya Caruthers is the Outreach and Education Fellow at Jubilee USA
Network in Washington, DC. and serves as coordinator of the organization's
grassroots network.
Anyango
Reggy, US Coordinator of the Toward a New Africa Youth
Exchange.
Anyango coordinates study tours of US students to Zambia, Burundi, Zimbabwe
and South Africa.Each shared the history of the debt in South Africa/Azania—where
the minority apartheid regime used loans to further repress the African
majority; in Burundi where France, Belgium and US interests fomented
the cultural divisions between Rwanda and Burundi, and Zimbabwe suffering
from US economic sanctions and pressured for regime change Jakeya and
Anyango cross connected the need to have an ‘outside inside’
strategy, where U.S. citizens can have a impact by visiting Africa first-hand,
and supporting debt cancellation legislation like the impending Jubilee
Act, which is anticipated to be presented on the House floor this March.
American Friends Service Committee Africa Initiative organized this
tour to directly address the most pressing and widespread challenges
affecting the basic human rights of African people. Past speakers have
included individuals from Sudan, Algeria, Mozambique, Liberia, Mauritania,
Uganda, South Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
“Africans on both sides of the Atlantic are concerned about the
same things: preventing violence, stopping the flow of arms into their
communities , and improving economic conditions,” said Frances
Beasley, AFSC Africa Initiative committee member in Akron., “We
must think locally, and act globally. When organized properly, US constituents
can change international policy.”
For additional information or for a complete Tour schedule,
contact the American Friends Service Committee in Akron at 330-253-7204
or visit the national AFSC website: http://www.afsc.org/africa/new-africa/activism/college-tour.htm
2002 AFRICAN PEACE TOUR
IN AKRON - LEARN MORE
