DFID research: Diverse Voices: In the quest for economic growth in Africa who is getting left behind and why?
Diverse Voices: In the quest for economic growth in Africa who is getting left behind and why?
Tomorrow, 7th of June 2012, a global debate will be held on Facebook and Twitter by the Diverse Voices 2012, as they ask people to discuss “Who is getting left behind in the quest of Economic Growth in Africa and why?”
In May the World Economic Forum on Africa brought together 500 business leaders and other participants to discuss transforming Africa. Their agenda was framed by the view that in 2012 “Africa’s projected growth rate of 6% will be driven by improved macroeconomic and political stability, an ongoing resource boom and a growing consumer base”.
At the same time the Diverse Voices 2012 initiative, led by the IDS Knowledge Services, brought together twenty-four people in three small groups in Malawi, Ethiopia and Kenya and asked the question “what issues will people be discussing over the next three-months?” The groups were a forum for some of those whose opinions have not had an equal chance of reaching lawmakers, practitioners, researchers and journalists.
The issues suggested were diverse but after prioritising them, a key question emerged “In the quest for Economic Growth in Africa who is getting left behind and why?” This question stemmed from experiences people shared about issues of exclusion, child labour, inflation, innovation and access to credit and markets.
Diverse Voices want as many people as possible from all over the world to get involved in tomorrow’s discussion, stating:
“If you feel your voice has been excluded from global conversations and want to challenge agenda setting in the development sector here’s a new chance. Or if you believe you have relevant research or policy perspectives to share it’s time to engage on equal terms. Sparks will be struck, difference will be celebrated and new agendas will emerge.”
Join the debate on the Diverse Voices Facebook and Twitter pages.