By Lydia Mogano 

 

Sustainability is the basic requirement for the success of future‐oriented development processes. This is what the nations of the world agreed on in 1992 at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. Because of Africa’s geographic location and rich resource base and biodiversity the continent has great potential to shape future development sustainability. However, the lack of global commitments and agreements at Rio+20 mean that bilateral cooperation projects will have to be the cornerstones of a prosperous and sustainable African future.

For this reason, Klimahaus (Climate house) hosted the ECOGA: Effective Cooperation for a Green Africa, in Bremerhaven, Germany, between the 12^th and 13^thof September 2012. This was a forum for German-African development partnerships and serves the exchange of knowledge. The contributions focused on the realities and perspectives of sustainable development in the context of the controversial field of “Green Growth” as the continent faces the challenge of adapting to the impacts of climate change.

The speakers at the congress looked at successful projects and experiences from African organisations, Universities and NGOs, including SAFCEI’s Climate Change Youth Ambassador’s programme. The challenges of land grabbing and its impact on food security, good governance and sustainability, fighting poverty and education for sustainable development were some of the topics that were discussed. Arne Dunker, CEO Klimahaus, posed the question to the congress: “…how can African countries develop economically without giving up their status as being not guilty of climate impacts? This is the paradox and this is the conflict!” Considering Africa’s colonial history, it is important not to treat the continent as a victim. It is necessary to meet on a level playing field. He continued, “African countries are on their way to economic prosperity and political stability, we must seek ways to establish a more sustainable way of life. I am convinced that we in the industrialised countries can learn a lot from looking at less industrialised and less consumption-based societies. It is a mutual process! We will not change the world with this congress but it can be another little step towards being more sustainable.”

As SAFCEI’s Regional Coordinator, I had an opportunity to present and contribute to the panel discussion. “While there are three pillars of sustainable development, often described as people, planet and profit, most often it has been economics that has dominated and directed the sustainable development pathway. We, as faith communities, are calling for spirituality and ethics to be added as the fourth pillar. In fact, these values should be at the core of sustainable development, providing a moral compass for the global community and to provide direction as we seek to steer our world to a more just and sustainable future!” was my response to the sustainable development conundrum.

The conference concluded that Africa needs to stop lamenting the past, emerge from its comfort zone, develop new skills and move boldly forward. Collaboration among the social and natural sciences as well as with local native and indigenous knowledge systems is essential for sustainable development. Local communities need to be part of the process in thinking, designing and implementing in order for there to be a change in mind-set.Africa is richly endowed with resources and knowledge. Education for sustainable development needs to be mainstreamed into education institutions. The people of the continent must build on its human and natural resource base to establish a self-sufficient, confident and sustainable future.

The words of Dr Olive Ruppel are an inspiration. She calls for us to: “Stand up and move forward, educate your kids…and while doing so believe in God, it does not matter which God you believe in. This is an important message too, morals and values play important roles and we have African values too. Keep them up. Maintain them because when the negotiations become as difficult as they are, it is probably values that are the only things that can guide us in the right direction.”