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Africa's leaders urged to seriously consider human rights in all decision making
20 Jun 2013 at 09:45hrs | Views
AFRICA'S LEADERS URGED TO SERIOUSLY CONSIDER HUMAN RIGHTS IN ALL DECISION MAKING
20 June 2013: Influential African political and corporate leaders must not underestimate the role that human rights play on the continent, and for this reason they cannot look to the west for guidance with regards to human rights structures, as Africa has its own unique set of characteristics.
This is the view of Professor Eltie Links of the University of Stellenbosch Business School (USB), professor extraordinaire and ex-chair of Doing Business in Africa at the USB, who recently addressed delegates at the USB about the human rights challenges facing Africa. He outlined that Africa's culture and human rights are not mutually exclusive, but are rather supportive of each other.
Links explains that Africa has been influenced greatly by the western understanding of the concept of human rights. "The European Union has subjected Africa to human rights which are very narrowly defined in terms of individual rights. However, African countries have broadened the context of individual human rights by viewing it in a wider a context called culture. Never underestimate the role of this concept, which plays a significant part in human rights."
He says that despite the development and enhancement of the human rights framework for Africa, the acceptance of the universality of human rights has not been easy. He refers to the African Charter of Human and Peoples Rights, adopted on 21 June in 1981 by the African States members of the Organisation of African Union, which is now the African Union, which has largely served as the basis of the human rights framework on the African continent.
"There is a currently a lack of efficient and a well-capacitated institutions in South Africa and in other African countries, and this creates endless frustrations in service delivery. These problems to a great extent are exacerbated by the differing levels of development of institutions.
"The difference between a successful and non-successful country is the existence of efficient and functioning institutions. For example, from a rule of law perspective, if the courts, social arena, societal institutions and schools aren't functioning, then you might as well 'close shop'."
Links says it is notable that moving successfully in either direction of state institutional strengthening, or increasing the scope of state functions, is significantly dependant of the success of securing and effectively establishing the basic minimal functions of providing that type of pure public good.
Furthermore, he says Africa has a lot to learn from developing countries, such as Brazil, which continue to move resolutely forward. "Brazil knows who they are, what they are and where they want to go. In Brazil the public and private sector join hands. Labour joins hands," he concludes.
Links spoke at Africa Day, hosted at the USB in Bellville, Cape Town. At the event, members of the USB's Small Business Academy also showcased their products, opening up the opportunity for members to network with South Africa's business leaders, students, staff, alumni and visitors. With the Small Business Academy, the business school aims to make a difference to the lives and businesses of small business owners in townships. The USB has made a commitment to share knowledge and work closely with these small business owners in an effort to develop their business skills.
For more information about the Small Business Academy, click here.
20 June 2013: Influential African political and corporate leaders must not underestimate the role that human rights play on the continent, and for this reason they cannot look to the west for guidance with regards to human rights structures, as Africa has its own unique set of characteristics.
This is the view of Professor Eltie Links of the University of Stellenbosch Business School (USB), professor extraordinaire and ex-chair of Doing Business in Africa at the USB, who recently addressed delegates at the USB about the human rights challenges facing Africa. He outlined that Africa's culture and human rights are not mutually exclusive, but are rather supportive of each other.
Links explains that Africa has been influenced greatly by the western understanding of the concept of human rights. "The European Union has subjected Africa to human rights which are very narrowly defined in terms of individual rights. However, African countries have broadened the context of individual human rights by viewing it in a wider a context called culture. Never underestimate the role of this concept, which plays a significant part in human rights."
He says that despite the development and enhancement of the human rights framework for Africa, the acceptance of the universality of human rights has not been easy. He refers to the African Charter of Human and Peoples Rights, adopted on 21 June in 1981 by the African States members of the Organisation of African Union, which is now the African Union, which has largely served as the basis of the human rights framework on the African continent.
"There is a currently a lack of efficient and a well-capacitated institutions in South Africa and in other African countries, and this creates endless frustrations in service delivery. These problems to a great extent are exacerbated by the differing levels of development of institutions.
"The difference between a successful and non-successful country is the existence of efficient and functioning institutions. For example, from a rule of law perspective, if the courts, social arena, societal institutions and schools aren't functioning, then you might as well 'close shop'."
Links says it is notable that moving successfully in either direction of state institutional strengthening, or increasing the scope of state functions, is significantly dependant of the success of securing and effectively establishing the basic minimal functions of providing that type of pure public good.
Furthermore, he says Africa has a lot to learn from developing countries, such as Brazil, which continue to move resolutely forward. "Brazil knows who they are, what they are and where they want to go. In Brazil the public and private sector join hands. Labour joins hands," he concludes.
Links spoke at Africa Day, hosted at the USB in Bellville, Cape Town. At the event, members of the USB's Small Business Academy also showcased their products, opening up the opportunity for members to network with South Africa's business leaders, students, staff, alumni and visitors. With the Small Business Academy, the business school aims to make a difference to the lives and businesses of small business owners in townships. The USB has made a commitment to share knowledge and work closely with these small business owners in an effort to develop their business skills.
For more information about the Small Business Academy, click here.
Source - Tarcia Hendricks
