The G8 summit was not a big step forward for Africa
The G8 was not a big step forward for Africa but we did see some good progress on healthcare (because of your campaigning). You keep up the good work - children's lives depend on it.
Wednesday 20 June 2007
Broken promises cost lives
Despite the dedicated campaigning efforts of Save the Children supporters, the G8 summit in Heiligendamm was not a big step forward for Africa. The summit did not build upon the promises made at Gleneagles in 2005 that we were calling for, particularly around free healthcare and education in conflict-affected countries. In some areas, such as aid levels, the commitments actually fell short of those made in 2005. $60 billion was pledged for HIV and AIDS, malaria, TB and strengthening health systems. However, this is not new money.
Meanwhile, children worldwide continue to suffer the injustices of crumbling health and education services because of the G8's inactivity. How unjust is that?
Some progress on health and education
On health there were some positive signs as G8 countries promised to strengthen African health services. This is a critical change that reflected some of our calls, even though the commitments were not binding. Also, the G8 called on financial institutions and donors to support country-led development of health systems, and called for equitable systems that work for the poorest.
On education, the G8 pledged £500 million to cover the 2007 shortfall in backing education in countries within the Education for All - Fast Track Initiative. A specific reference was made to supporting "low-income countries and fragile states furthest away from the 2015 target of universal primary completion". While this does not amount to a commitment, we can hold the G8 to account on this.
Overall, the G8 summit gets a "red card" from us. Here's why:
- The concrete plan to support countries to make healthcare free did not materialise.
- There was no detail from the G8 about how the shortfall in human resources for health would be tackled.
- On social protection, the G8 spoke only of keeping the issue on their agenda.
- No clear commitments were made to reform and untie aid to make it work for poor countries.
The campaigning must go on
We've seen some encouraging words from the G8 on health, but no binding commitments. Now we need to take the fight to leaders at the European Union/African Union summit at the end of the year to get the urgent action we need. Watch this space - children can't wait!
Our G8 send-off to Tony
We mustn't let the disappointment of the G8 detract from the fantastic campaigning effort of the World Can't Wait rally that took place on 2 June 2007. Check out the World Can't Wait website for photos, videos and more details.
"The G8 leaders have not delivered a concrete plan for tackling the crushing levels of African poverty. The G8 deal was warm in words but that's cold comfort for the millions of African children who will continue to die through the lack of free healthcare. This is a particular blow to the hundreds of thousands of campaigners who are calling for dramatic action. The campaigning will go on.
Tony Blair's legacy on Africa will not live up to expectation. Gordon Brown must now make getting a concrete deal on poverty between Europe and Africa the top priority for his first 100 days in office" said Matt Phillips, Head of Campaigns and Advocacy at Save the Children.
