The Social Dimensions of the New Partnership for Africa's Development
Author: Dimpho Motsamai, Siphamandla Zondi.
Motsamai, Dimpho and Zondi, Siphamandla. June 2010. "The Social Dimensions of the New Partnership for Africa's Development." Policy Brief Briefing No 33 11. http://www.academia.edu/2960758/The_Social_Dimensions_of_the_New_Partnership_for_Africas_Development
The New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) was established in 2001 as the socio-economic programme for Africa to address the challenges of continued marginalisation of Africa in the global political economy. Its primary objectives are the eradication of poverty andthe promotion of socio-economic development. To this end, NEPAD Action Plans were drafted,outlining specific focal areas and programmes necessary to meet NEPAD objectives. In sum-mary, the Action Plans are in three parts: the first addresses the political and economic precondi-tions for the NEPAD programme to work; the second outlines ‘sectoral’ priority areas that needintervention; and the third focuses on resource mobilisation to support the implementation of NEPAD projects.
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NEPAD also sought to galvanise African countries to work together in pursuitof democracy and good political governance, as well as economic and corporate governance.
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However, the focus in scholarly writings and policy debates has been on NEPAD as an eco-nomic development plan, thus overlooking the social dimensions of the programme. Manyeven criticize NEPAD for ignoring social crises facing Africa, including social exclusion and dis-integration of communities. This paper maintains that NEPAD does provide a framework forsocial policy interventions in Africa. It argues that these social aspects of NEPAD are generallyneglected in discussions about NEPAD as a socio-economic programme for Africa becauseNEPAD officials, being primarily economists, have been more successful in selling its economicmessages than its social initiatives. The social dimensions of NEPAD are not as explicit as theeconomic and political facets outlined in the Action PlansPublished: June 2010Typ: report