'GOD IS COLOUR blind and character conscious. Man is character blind and colour conscious.' The opening words of a speech in 1963 by Peter Howard, then leader of Moral Re-Armament, entitled 'Africa's Hour'.
For many, Africa is a place of mystery - a breeding ground for corrupt leadership, autocratic heads of states, mismanaged economies and riddled with the unfortunate realities of colonisation and the slave trade. Howard, however, spoke of an Africa rising above its troubles and bringing new meaning to unity and brotherhood.
I read the speech in the plane from Britain to Ghana. It was excellent preparation for a leadership training workshop I was attending under the banner of the 'Clean Africa Campaign'.
I arrived in the capital, Accra, armed with malaria tablets having been warned about the mosquitoes. I was warmly welcomed by the Ghanaian organisers, and dazzled by the flamboyant array of traditional Kente clothes hanging in the market stalls as we drove by. A sense of familiarity filled the air - I was home.
The aim of the 'Clean Africa Campaign' workshop is to encourage and train people throughout Africa who are committed to moral and spiritual change. The first session brought together 38 participants (including the faculty) for ten days of intensive training. We came from all over Africa: policeman and army general, government minister and civil servant, student and academic professor, Muslim and Christian.
Some of the topics discussed included religion and state, where the world of the sacred was viewed alongside the world of democracy and freedom; African history, with a discussion on Pan Africanism and Afro-mundialism; and group dynamics including lobbying techniques, advocacy, fundraising and dealing with the media.
A small number of Africans from the diaspora were present. The attitude of some towards them was that having lived overseas for many years, there was the danger of detachment and superiority towards Africa, and a preoccupation with the lifestyle of the developed world.
Knowledge and wisdom were exchanged on many levels. Fully benefiting from the experience meant unlearning some of the knowledge I already had. This made space for new information.
One of my colleagues was fasting for Ramadan. She said, 'The process of cleaning our mind and spirit is painful. You might lose a lot - friends may disappear, people may not speak to you again. But I need this cleaning process so my life is ready for what it's meant for.'
She also shared her experiences of being a Muslim in a predominantly Christian environment. 'It is better to read about Islam before you meet Muslims. Islam is not a violent religion. It is humans who practise religion, and it's human nature that creates violence. Fasting touches me because it teaches me to understand what it means for my neighbour to go without food. When I fast I begin to see others next to me who cannot afford one square meal a day. I can imagine what they are going through; I don't have to wait to be asked for help. It teaches me to be conscious of the needs of others.'
Personal responsibility and accountability wove a connecting thread throughout the ten days. Not only is it the responsibility of our leaders to protect the people, but the individual's responsibility to protect the environment and natural resources which sustain their livelihood.
Africa is changing. There is more to it than the disturbing pictures in the media. Africans are no longer complacent about their future - the cynicism that forecasts Africa's doomsday is losing its voice.
By Amira Elmissiry
LETTER FROM FRANCE
WE WERE ALL shaken by the riots that took place in France last autumn. We were aware of the frustrations and hatred in the hearts of many young people who feel rejected by French society. But we never imagined that this could result in such violence. Among the bi-products of this marginalisation are criminality, racketeering, and no-go areas.
Our country, so proud of its system of social integration with its aim of bringing the communities together, has to admit it has failed. The generation born out of immigration is less well integrated than the previous one. The sectors targeted show the rioters' feelings towards schools where they didn't fit in and businesses where they didn't find work.
The government was right to react firmly, and is now working out ways of giving young people hope that they can find training and work. Some authorities could have expressed greater understanding of the conditions in the banlieues (suburbs) and greater recognition of the reality of discrimination. It is denial of dignity which provokes the desire to smash everything.
Over the last five years Initiatives of Change in France has been working through a series of dialogues to understand the alchemy which controls relations between our communities. What we have learnt through honest conversation, trust and friendship, has transformed how we see one another. The challenge for the future is to find ways of spreading this approach across the country so that we can resolve fears, end job discrimination, improve relations with the police, reduce criminality, rebuild peaceful relations and enable every person to feel they matter.
It's up to each of us to sow new attitudes - by going towards the other who is different and multiplying the opportunities to meet.
By Frederic Chavanne
