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++++TCSF English Newsletter No.15++++ June 4, 2008
Viva! Africa: People's Network across Continents
Published by TICAD Civil Society Forum (TCSF)
http://ticad-csf.net/eng/
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Dear colleagues,
Our English newsletter contains information about TCSF's Activities and
Japanese support for Africa. We hope to strengthen our network with you
by sharing information about our activities. Thank you.
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Review of the 4th Tokyo International Conference on African Development
(TICAD IV)
[1]Evaluation of the TICAD IV
"Doubled the ODA towards Africa but still challenges ahead"
[2]Mounting Public Opinion in Japan
"Public Opinion Moves Government"
[3]Achievement of the TICAD
"Raising public opinions and putting African civil society at the
central stage."
[4]Message from the TICAD IV civil society
NGOs from Africa and Japan announced their voices through TNnet Press
Release
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Review of the 4th Tokyo International Conference on African Development
(TICAD IV)
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On 30th May, the 4th Tokyo International Conference on African
Development (TICAD IV) completed all the 3-day programmes in Yokohama.
TICAD Civil Society Forum (TCSF) has done various activities for
realising the participation of the civil societies from Japan and Africa
in the TICAD process since its establishment in 2004. Here is TCSF's
review of the TICAD IV particularly on what impact its activity has made
to TIVAD IV.

Please give us your comments to: office@ticad-csf.net

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[1]Evaluation of the TICAD IV
"Doubled the ODA towards Africa but still challenges ahead"
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TCSF values the Prime Minister Fukuda's pledges to double the ODA
towards Africa in the next 5 years. If the pledge is put into practice,
the Japanese ODA will reach at a historical high level after long depression
since 1997. Moreover, this "real increase" is quite remarkable as it
does not include debt relief.

However, the pledge dies not meet the needs of the poor people in Africa
fully. There is no guarantee that this pledge can lead to an increase in
the total ODA. Japan should clarify the schedule for increasing its ODA
to 0.7% of GNI, the international pledge, as soon as possible.

The increased aid will include a large amount of loan mainly for
infrastructure. Considering African governance and capacity to absorb
aid, its practicality is questionable. This is shown by the fact that
many African countries are still in debt trap. Loan should be utilized
for the people in need.

Meanwhile, the success was civil society's active participation and the
reflection of their voices in both discussions and the final documents.
The conference was broadcasted in Africa via internet. The existence of
African NGOs were closed up and the cooperation between African and
Japanese civil societies was realised in a concrete shape.

The afternoon on the 2nd day of the TICAD IV was largely for speeches of
guests from civil societies, and the importance of civil society in
African development was stressed. Ms. Wangari Maathai, Mr. Bono, Prof.
Jeffrey Sachs, and a representative of the Bill & Melinda Gates
Foundation were among the speakers. In the final part, Mr. Gustave Assah
from the Civil Commission for Africa (C-CfA) made a speech based on the
outputs of the civil society session. Above all, the chairman's summary
was more attentive to civil society than ever before.

However, the TICAD have not changed its basic stance as a forum between
states and international agencies. What was worse, economic growth was
over-emphasized in the discussions. The most important things, lives of
the people and their means of democracy and participation, were not
given priority.

The relationship between Africa and Japan was limited to economy
and diplomacy, and the mutual understanding and solidarity
between the people were not much on the agenda. Partnership mentioned in
the action plan does not accommodate civil society much. Civil society's
access to follow-up mechanism was only through the TICAD inquiry counter.

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[2]Mounting Public Opinion in Japan
"Public Opinion Moves Government"
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The civil society marked a milestone in the TICAD process, but the
government has not changed much its direction. Meanwhile, enormous
amount of media reporting so-called African boom was made outside of the
conference. Its tone was much closer to the voice of Africans than what
was discussed in the conference. Fight against poverty, importance of
social development, support for farmers, democratization, and importance
of NGOs were extensively covered by the media.

The African boom was based on the awareness of Japanese people of Africa,
which has been getting higher since the white-band movement (Make
Poverty History). The TICAD-related events have spread deep sympathy and
understanding of Africa among the people further.

Africa has become closer, Knowing of life-sized Africa, feeling Africa's
joy, understanding ther importance of Africa's issues and more demand to
communicate with African people.

The African boom and the Prime Minister Fukuda's pledge were not
possible without a wave of public sympathy on Africa. If the sympathy and
understanding continue beyond present boom, the public opinion will be
an important part of the policy-making for Africa in Japan.

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[3]Achievement of the TICAD
"Raising public opinions and putting African civil society
at the central stage."
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The TCSF has made a great impact on the output of the TICAD IV.

The pledges and final document by Japanese government reflect
TCSF's long-term claim. "TCSF White Paper on Japanese Policy towards
Africa", "Africa Alert", and TCSF's research as well as advocacy
and lobbying played a crucial role in the acknowledgement of African
civil society as important actors in African development.

The C-CfA's speech at TICAD's plenary session and the appearance on
media have created a strong impression of African civil society. The
TICAD IV NGO network (TNnet) was a strong driving force in the advocacy.
Above all, the TCSF made significant efforts in the establishment and
development of both C-CfA and TNnet.

The enhanced understanding and sympathy towards Africa among Japanese is
not a result of TCSF alone. However, TCSF set off and accelerated it.
"Africa 2008 Campaign" has indeed aroused Japanese concerns towards
Africa through various events and stirred up diversified events by others.

Furthermore, TCSF's patient publicity has sent off accurate information
about Africa to media, hence, give a direction to "African Boom". It is
also notable that the role of civil society has been recognised in
development by TCSF's approach through seminars and workshops.

From now on, the new vision of African development is necessary in the
face of growing concerns towards Africa. How we can expand the
achievement of TICAD further and overcome the inadequacy remain as a
challenge for the civil society.

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[4]Message from the TICAD IV civil society
NGOs from Africa and Japan announced
their voices through TNnet Press Release
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African and Japanese NGOs announced their statements towards Prime
Minister Fukuda's opening speech, the Yokohama Declaration, and the
Action Plan.

-May 28th
Civil Society Reaction to Opening Speech by Prime Minister Fukuda
http://www.ticad-csf.net/TNnet/download/080528_fukuda_e.pdf

-May 28th
Civil Society Reaction to The Draft TICAD Yokohama Declaration,
the Action Plan and the Appendix
http://www.ticad-csf.net/TNnet/download/080528_yokohama_e.pdf

-May 29th
The first ever Civil Society Session in TICAD
http://www.ticad-csf.net/TNnet/download/080529_Civil_Society_Session_e.pdf

-May 29th
Statement of the African, Japanese and International Civil Society
Organisations at TICAD IV
http://www.ticad-csf.net/TNnet/download/080529_Statement_e.pdf

-May 30th
NGO Press Conference right after TICAD IV
http://www.ticad-csf.net/TNnet/download/080530_Press_Conference_e.pdf

-May 30th
Final Press Release: TICAD IV falls short of expectations, Japan
left with homework for chairmanship at G8 Toyako Summit
http://www.ticad-csf.net/TNnet/download/080530_Final_Release_e.pdf

Other press release and open documents can be found at:
http://www.ticad-csf.net/TNnet/e_press_release.html

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For more information about the statements, contact:
Minori Tanimura: +81-(0)90-6537－8098 on behalf of:
TICAD IV NGO Network
c/o Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies, Waseda University, Rm 613-6
1-21-1, 7F Soudainishiwaseda, Bldg.
Nishiwaseda, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Masaki Inaba: +81-(0)90-1264-8110 on behalf of:
2008 G8 Summit NGO Forum
c/o Japan NGO Center for International Cooperation (JANIC)
Avaco bldg. 5F, 2-3-8 Nishiwaseda, Shinkuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
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TICAD Civil Society Forum (TCSF)
http://ticad-csf.net/eng/
news@ticad-csf.net
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