One would expect the vast array of natural resources found in Africa to be the primary driver of the continent’s social and economic development. But there is a striking irony between the level of each country’s wealth in natural resources and the level of its social and economic development. Interestingly, those African countries endowed with more natural resources are amongst the poorest on earth and the least developed with the highest indices of human suffering. This is particularly stunning in the Central and West Africa region where the situation is exacerbated by the widening gap between the rich and the poor.
Tackling all the myriad of underlying causes of this paradox in the Africa countries where we work is obviously beyond the remits of ACDEF. However, through carbon forestry, the sustainable use forestry Initiatives, the conservation and management of wildlife, ACDEF is working with partners to link the revenues from environmental goods and services to specific community development initiatives which benefit the majority of the population. These efforts are being supplemented with our work to strengthen environmental governance through our strongly emerging programme on Law and Policy, Indigenous People’s Rights and Governance.
Please visit our Social and Economic Development projects portfolio and let us share your thoughts and how you can help.
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