Interview with the African, Dambisa Moyo, requesting the end of all foreign aid to her country within the next 5 years. From the New York Times:
Q: You argue in your book that Western aid to Africa has not only perpetuated poverty but also worsened it, and you are perhaps the first African to request in book form that all development aid be halted within five years.
A: Think about it this way — China has 1.3 billion people, only 300 million of whom live like us, if you will, with Western living standards. There are a billion Chinese who are living in substandard conditions. Do you know anybody who feels sorry for China? Nobody.
Q: Maybe that’s because they have so much money that we here in the U.S. are begging the Chinese for loans.
A: Forty years ago, China was poorer than many African countries. Yes, they have money today, but where did that money come from? They built that, they worked very hard to create a situation where they are not dependent on aid.
Q: What do you think has held back Africans?
A: I believe it’s largely aid. You get the corruption — historically, leaders have stolen the money without penalty — and you get the dependency, which kills entrepreneurship. You also disenfranchise African citizens, because the government is beholden to foreign donors and not accountable to its people.
This was a really great interview. I never thought about first-world involvement being a hinderance in some circumstances. Do you think the media is helping or hurting Africa in general? It seems that only horror stories get publicity, and very little!
Sara Thomas, Chief of Sales
Alert One Life Alerts
Very interesting questions and anwers. I find I learn so much from Q&A. Thank you so much. indoor rower
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