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"ANOTHER AFRICA IS POSSIBLE!"

The need for values

The powerful theme of the World Social Forum has for several years been:“Another World Is Possible!” It is the clear recognition that the current global scene – marked by poverty for the majority, exploitation of the earth by the minority, discrimination against women, lack of respect for ethnic differences, terrible wars and conflicts, etc., etc. – is simply not acceptable, is clearly untenable, is frighteningly dangerous!

And so tremendous energies have been generated around the world to bring about a change, through a common solidarity of hopes, thoughts, alliances, actions, struggles, sacrifices.For those committed to “Another World,” these are indeed challenging and exciting times!<

But what about Africa? The Africa Social Forum proclaims: “Another Africa Is Possible!”Yet is it really possible?What would it take to make it possible? What would it look like? Who would contribute to shaping it? How would we evaluate it? How can we assure that it would not be just “another Africa” but a “better Africa,” where hope for the poor majority is rekindled through more equitable sharing of continental and global resources?Let's be honest.These are not primarily technical and bureaucratic questions.These are not even primarily economic and political questions. These are primarily value and ethical questions. And we should not be shy to put these value and ethical questions right up front in all of our discussions, debates, decisions in this African Social Forum. If we are going to have more than just one more conference, however interesting and pleasant it might be (especially here in beautiful Lusaka), we must move further than ideological statements, pious proclamations, arcane analyses, ringing demands, etc. .. We must ask ourselves how we define, how we envision, “another world” in a way that is meaningful to people who don’t attend conferences but bear the daily burden of the injustices of the current world. And how do we put all this into effective action?

Another world means another vision, and visions are primarily shaped by values.These are the principles, ideals and standards that enlighten us and motivate us.

For example, we know that the current neo-liberal vision of the world, of Africa, is shaped by the values of individualism, competition, exclusion of the poor and of women, maximisation of profit, dominance of the environment, pre-emptive military might, etc. Some of these values are made very explicit by being written into international documents that impose conditionalities on economic reform that does not benefit the poor. Others of these values are implicit in the attitudes and mind-sets that govern relationships between the North and South.

A clear value analysis of the current world would uncover many of the reasons why globalisation in its current form and direction can never benefit Africa, no matter how many MDG pledges are made or how many Blair Commissions are formed.

So what values can we say should shape the alternative vision of “another Africa” that would be more people-centred, more ecologically respectful, more pro-poor, more socially just, more spiritually enriching? Obviously, we would begin by emphasising African values of respect for life and community, regard for the sacredness of the earth, appreciation of the wisdom of older generations, recognition of the influence of the spiritual world, etc.It is not for me, a mzungu, to develop this theme – it is the privilege and the responsibility of Africans to lift up their culture and traditions to explain the richness of a value system that is indigenous and not imposed. And this is not easy, when African values are under such attack these days from forces of economic and cultural imperialism – simply watch MTV to see how profoundly the African values are ridiculed byoffering slick alternatives to family, fidelity and faith.

But besides African values to shape a vision of “another Africa,” we should emphasise universal values of human rights and duties based on human dignity, solidarity and participation, priority of the poor and protection of the integrity of creation, etc. These are values found in the United Nations declarations and in the Organisation of African Union documents.

Would we say to a mother wanting food for her hungry child, or a young person seeking employment, or a prisoner too poor to hire a good lawyer, or a group of citizens seeking honest and accountable political representation, that their desires are not part of an African vision?Surely not! Some of these values are part of what has traditionally been called the “churches’ social teaching” – found not only in Christian foundational documents and declarations but also in the aspirations of other great world religions.(We Christians sometimes have to admit that these social teachings are “the churches’ best kept secrets”!)One does not have to be a member of a particular church or religious group to appreciate the power of teachings on justice, community, concern for the poor, respect for the environment, etc.I was present in January of this year at the World Social Forum, held in Mumbai, India.

Something that deeply impressed me was the religious spirit that characterised that gathering of 100,000-plus social activists.By that I don’t mean formal prayer sessions (though these did talk place), but rather an activating fervour arising from ordinary people who knew that they were not alone on this earth in their desires for “another World” today. In a time when a “religious spirit” often is equated with a radical fundamentalism not always respectful of others, we who accept a religious call of love and justice and peace must not be afraid to speak out our values! So I firmly believe that free discussion of the values that guide our vision of “another Africa” should be the foundation for everything constructive that comes from this African Social Forum. Otherwise we run the great danger of offering structures and processes for another Africa that may be alternative in direction but non-alternative in foundations. And that would assure no stable and lasting possibility for the future!  To be sure that “Another Africa is Possible,” let us readily address the value questions shaping our vision.

10-12-04