On 25 May people from all over the world will join in celebrating Africa Day 2012. Africa Day is celebrated every year to commemorate the founding of the precursor to the African Union, the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) in 1963. The aim of 25 May is to celebrate African diversity and success, as well as to highlight the cultural and economic potential that exists on the African continent. UN secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon declared Africa Day “the day to recognise the people and promise of Africa.”

The founding of the OAU for the first time brought together leaders of African nations, creating a joint impetus for the entire African continent to achieve independence. Now Africa is at a point where it has just come out of a decade of rapid economic growth. Some of the world’s fastest growing economies are in Africa, and they have expanded even during the ongoing uncertainty in the global economy. This has brought a much-needed reduction in poverty in the region and a renewed sense of optimism about its future.

However, while Africa Day celebrations acknowledge the progress that Africa has made since the inception of the OAU in 1963, this year’s commemoration also offers an opportunity to reflect upon the many challenges Africans still face. Last year in North Africa the world saw young people take to the streets demanding freedom and democracy for themselves and their countrymen. This uprising highlighted one of Africa's greatest untapped resources: its young people. Africa is the world's youngest continent; 70 per cent of the population is under the age of 30. Despite advances in education and economic growth, progress remains fragile. Inequalities are widespread and young Africans face major difficulties in finding decent jobs and participating in decision-making. Also, due to the serious problem of enduring droughts, the risk for children with acute malnutrition in the Sahel region is now reportedly as distressing as it was in the Horn of Africa crisis last year. Progress in the areas of reducing child and maternal mortality rates, Millennium Development Goals four and five, has been slower than the other MDG’s. Clearly rapid economic progress in Africa has not brought the much needed food security for the substantial proportion of the population. The United Nations Development programme in its 2012 Africa Human Development Report therefore stressed above all the need for decisive action on strengthening food security and accelerating human development in Africa.

During last year’s Africa Day celebrations, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon called on all of Africa’s global partners to reaffirm their commitment to work with Africans of all ages to realise their potential by building an environment conducive to prosperity, democracy and peace. In response to this call a wide range of organisations and institutions are organising events for Africa Day 2012.

Press

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Africa Day in Stockholm - "Rwanda: Dancers Steal Limelight in Stockholm"
Secretary-General's message on Africa Day

 

Click the arrow below to play a small selection of the rich tapestry of rich music coming out of Africa that has to do with unity and to do with some of the issues that AWEPA holds dear.