How Europe can learn from South Africa
Durban
24 January 2004 10:30
South Africa could teach newly democratic countries in Europe a thing or two about the Constitution making progress, although the Europeans are arguably more adept at stimulating economic development.
Speaking at the Celebrating a Decade of Democracy conference in Durban on Friday, Ambassador Michael Lake, Head of Delegation of the European Commission in South Africa, said it was obvious that Africa and Europe could learn from each other.
"Ours was economic failure leading to social, then political breakdown, which led to conflict. Yours was civil unrest leading to social breakdown leading to the country becoming ungovernable."
He said in Europe, political systems had to reconstituted, constitutions re-written, economic policies dismantled and inoperable social systems, restored. He said the massacres perpetrated in the dismantling of the former Yugoslavia shamed not only the perpetrators, but all Europeans.
However, Ambassador Lake said South Africa, a country the size of western Europe, had created a constitution that was an international benchmark. The inclusion of a broad range of social and economic rights reflected the country's commitment to social development.
He applauded the convenors of the conference, the Foundation for Human Rights and the South African Human Rights Commission, "for being a flea in the ear of the authorities".
"You are probably better at drafting a constitution than we are, but perhaps we are better at finding paths to economic growth."
The ambassador committed the European Commission to continuing to support the Foundation for Human Rights, to the construction of justice in South Africa, and to converting hard-won rights into better lives for the poorest of the poor.
The conference, which concludes on Sunday, is sub-titled In Pursuit of Justice, and features an influential line-up of lawmakers, lawyers, jurists, representatives of civil society and government. – Sapa
(Bron: Mail & Guardian online)
Durban
24 January 2004 10:30
South Africa could teach newly democratic countries in Europe a thing or two about the Constitution making progress, although the Europeans are arguably more adept at stimulating economic development.
Speaking at the Celebrating a Decade of Democracy conference in Durban on Friday, Ambassador Michael Lake, Head of Delegation of the European Commission in South Africa, said it was obvious that Africa and Europe could learn from each other.
"Ours was economic failure leading to social, then political breakdown, which led to conflict. Yours was civil unrest leading to social breakdown leading to the country becoming ungovernable."
He said in Europe, political systems had to reconstituted, constitutions re-written, economic policies dismantled and inoperable social systems, restored. He said the massacres perpetrated in the dismantling of the former Yugoslavia shamed not only the perpetrators, but all Europeans.
However, Ambassador Lake said South Africa, a country the size of western Europe, had created a constitution that was an international benchmark. The inclusion of a broad range of social and economic rights reflected the country's commitment to social development.
He applauded the convenors of the conference, the Foundation for Human Rights and the South African Human Rights Commission, "for being a flea in the ear of the authorities".
"You are probably better at drafting a constitution than we are, but perhaps we are better at finding paths to economic growth."
The ambassador committed the European Commission to continuing to support the Foundation for Human Rights, to the construction of justice in South Africa, and to converting hard-won rights into better lives for the poorest of the poor.
The conference, which concludes on Sunday, is sub-titled In Pursuit of Justice, and features an influential line-up of lawmakers, lawyers, jurists, representatives of civil society and government. – Sapa
(Bron: Mail & Guardian online)
posted by seilram | 4:48 a.m.
0 Comments:
Een reactie posten
<< Home