Africa Day, May 25, 2013

On the fiftieth anniversary, the Golden Jubilee, of the African Union, Australia celebratesAfrica Day on May 25, 2013. Celebratory programs, such as sports, debates, campaigns, information sessions, and displays will take place in Australia and globally.

In 1963 leaders of 32 African nations met in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to discuss continental issues such as colonialism and apartheid. They agreed to form the Organization of African Unity (OAU). On May 25, 2001, the OAU was replaced with the African Union consisting of 54 African member states to place greater emphasis on unity and cooperation.

The African Union also has a representative body, the Pan African Parliament, which consists of 265 members elected by the national parliaments of the AU member states. The AU is the body through which individual member states coordinate foreign policy in addition to each nation’s own determinants.

Australia’s Foreign Minister, Senator Bob Carr, sees a great deal of future cooperation with African nations. “The African population is young, with a median age of 20 years – compared to 30 in Asia and 40 in Europe. It is urbanising and has a growing middle class. And Africa is rich in arable land, mineral resources, and energy – with 30% of the world’s mineral resources and 10% of its oil,” he said.

The theme for the Golden Jubilee is “Pan Africanism and the African Renaissance” in which Africa and the world takes stock of Africa’s achievements such as the growing optimism about their economy and independence, but also continues to look for solutions toward peace and stability, cooperation, democracy, interdependence, sustainability, and a knowledge-based society.

City News May 23-29, Volume 19, Number 17, www.citynews.com.au

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