By: Beatrice B. Kiraso MPA (HARVARD UNIVERSITY) ALLUMNI JJ/WBGSP CAPACITY BUILDING IN AFRICA

Hon. Kiraso 2 Africa is the World’s 2 nd largest and the most populous, but remains the poorest inhabited Continent. This has been attributed to Slave Trade, Colonialism, the International Trade Regime, Geopolitics, Corrupt Governments and Constant Conflict.

Hon. Kiraso – 2005 saw economic growth of 5% on average, but this can also be traced to first 3 to 4 countries mostly those with petroleum reserves.

Hon. Kiraso 4 While the developed world is moving from the information age to the social age, focusing on social consciousness, the climate economy and global interdependence, Africa lags behind with basic problems of poverty, ignorance and disease. On the other hand, rapid growth and poverty reduction has been experienced in China, India and other countries over the last 20 years due to Globalization.

Hon. Kiraso 5 If Globalization is the integration of economies and societies around the world, Africa inclusive, increased inequality and Human capacity needs should not be ignored. While Africa grapples with environment degradation, high mortality rates, low access to education programs like the JJ/WBGSP need to be applauded for creating an enabling environment to people in developing economies to get education empowerment.

Hon. Kiraso 6 It is through creating a critical mass of enlightened people from the world’s poorest and most marginalized countries that the lives of the people in those countries will improve. As an African, and a woman, I feel honoured and privileged to be here to share with you the fact that after Harvard, I was placed at the nucleus of the cordination of integration of the 5 East African States and tasked to drive the process towards a Political Federation.

Hon. Kiraso 7 I thank the World Bank and the Government of Japan Ms. Beatrice B. Kiraso is: Deputy Secretary General, East African Community, PO Box 1096, Arusha, Tanzania. Tel: Fax: