African leaders call for integration with Diaspora

South African President Jacob Zuma says the African agenda must enable a

state of existence where people live as though they are imprisoned in the

bars of a single jail.

Global African Diaspora Summit 2012

He says the agenda of the Global African Diaspora Summit should speak to the

critical challenges facing the continent and the Diaspora. Zuma has been

addressing the summit which is currently underway at the Sandton convention

centre in Johannesburg.

Jacob Zuma says, “We are faced with the challenges of defeating the

political and economic conditions that, as we speak, condemn the majority of

our fellow humans, particularly in poor countries, the conditions similar to

the ones on the slave ships that took our kith and kin away from the

continent.”

Zuma says a new story and a new paradigm must be written at this summit.

”It must be a story that says Africa, working with its Diaspora, will move

faster to meet the Millenium Development Goals,” he says.

    The summit must have meaning for our peoples and must be related to

changing the reaity of their circumstances.

He says the new story must say the rising new Africa will lead to the

eradication of Afro-pessimism and prejudice and the exposure of the

achievements that have been scored by black people across oceans over the

years.

He says, “The summit must have meaning for our peoples and must be related

to changing the reaity of their circumstances.  The outcome must reflect our

resolve to ensure an implementable program of action.”

Zuma also says the Summit should consider adopting programs such as the

Skills Data base, Remittances Program and African Diaspora Investment Fund.

The Summit coincides with Africa Day, May 25 – the day the Organisation of

African Unity (OAU) was formed 49 years ago and it is also the 10th

anniversary of the African Union (AU).

In his address, AU Commission Chairman Jean Ping, reiterated President

Zuma’s call for close cooperation between Africa and its Diaspora.

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