Sydafrikaner: Når Afrika er fattigt, er det Afrikas egen skyld

Time: Wednesday, 20 October at 14 – 16 hours

Venue: Danish Institute for International Studies, Main Auditorium, ground floor, Strandgade 71, Christianshavn, 1401 Kbn K

This seminar is focused around the recently published book by South African academic Greg Mills “Why Africa is Poor: And what Africans can do about it” (The Penguin Group, 2010).

Time: Wednesday, 20 October at 14 – 16 hours

Venue: Danish Institute for International Studies, Main Auditorium, ground floor, Strandgade 71, Christianshavn, 1401 Kbn K

This seminar is focused around the recently published book by South African academic Greg Mills “Why Africa is Poor: And what Africans can do about it” (The Penguin Group, 2010).

Over past decades, the quest for understanding poverty in Africa has led to multiple debates and differing analysis of various “causes” and “possible solutions” informing the policy process on the continent.

For some, Africa’s demise is the result of colonial rule and an exploitative capitalist market led by Western Democracies which has shut Africa out of markets and denied it the means to compete on a level playing field.

For others, such as Mills, the fundamental issue behind Africa’s failure to realize its potential is a domestic one. The author opens his book by laying clear his argument: “The main reason why Africa’s people are poor is because their leaders have made this choice”.

This seminar will address this and other controversial arguments by engaging in critical discussion around the themes structuring Mills’ recently published book.

The aim is to generate debate on contemporary issues which are relevant in understanding Africa’s political, social, and economic environment by specifically considering the choices made by the continents’ leaders.

Speakers

* Greg Mills, Director, The Brenthurst Foundation, Johannesburg, RSA
* Ole Therkildsen, Senior Researcher, DIIS
* Holger Bernt Hansen, Professor Emeritus, University of Copenhagen

PROGRAMME

14.00-14.10
Introduction by Holger Bernt Hansen, Professor Emeritus, University of Copenhagen

14.10-14.45
Why Africa is Poor: And what Africans can do about it by Greg Mills, Director, The Brenthurst Foundation, Johannesburg, South Africa

14.45-15.00
Coffee Break

15.00-16.00
Comments and Discussion by Ole Therkildsen, Senior Researcher, DIIS

Chair: Holger Bernt Hansen, Professor Emeritus, University of Copenhagen

The seminar will be held in English.

Participation is free of charge, but registration is required. Please use our online registration form on http://www.diis.dk/sw100320.asp

And do so no later than Tuesday, 19 October 2010 at 12.00 noon.

Please await confirmation by e-mail from DIIS for participation.

Danish Institute for International Studies (DIIS), The Conference Section, Strandgade 56, 1401 Kbn K, tlf. 32 69 87 51, e-mail: [email protected] og web: www.diis.dk