African Activist Archive

Contents: Introduction • Suggestions for initial steps • Then what? • Possible approaches • In June, the United Nations will hold its Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro. Already, the participants are drawing what may become battle lines that run along the North-South, Developed-Developing Country divide. ACAS should develop a clear perspective and remain abreast of government policy and practice as well as non-government practice and pressures about the environmental impact of resource use for development. Examples include: consumption of fossil and nuclear fuels and production and handling of associated waste products; clear-cutting of forests; watershed and river basin management; and production, disposal, storage/shipment of other waste products. ACAS should examine key features of government and non-government policy and practice and pressures concerning the eventual impact of resource utilization in Africa. Examples include: deforestation driven by urban and peri urban fuelwood consumption; mining; artisanal fishing; settlement of "new lands" such as the vast areas of West Africa cleared of Onchocerciasis; river basin development for purposes of hydropower, irrigation, etc. ACAS should clarify the interactive nature of links between and the impact, on the well-being of populations in African and in non-African countries, of policies and practices of actors in Northern countries and of their extensions, such as corporate subsidiaries. Of particular interest are organizations that play an advocacy role relative to poor and the disenfranchised vis-a-vis the development process. Review priorities, approaches and constituencies of possible partner organizations; consider possibilities for collaboration in elaborating an agenda concerning sets of development/ environment issues. Additional steps by ACAS and ACAS allies would emphasize the dissemination of information, consciousness raising, and education. Constituencies for education include: general publics, educators, government policy-makers, development assistance agencies, executives, and stockholders of private companies and corporations.

African Activist Archive

ACAS, AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT AND THE ENVIRONMENT: Not quite a vision, but some suggestions for new directions

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