A. Africa Policy Brief
- 1. In general, Africa is a significant topic because it raises a broad range of issues:
- (a) National Security: failed states as homes to terrorism and the expanded US military presence in Africa.
- (b) Oil and other natural resources: the US imports 20% of its oil from Africa and that is expected to grow to 25% in the next decade.
- (c) AIDS: 30 million people have HIV in Africa and only 2% of them have access to life saving drugs.
- (d) Human Rights: Darfur is the worst case of genocide in the world today
- (e) Political Freedom: The US is advocating a policy of spreading democracy around the world. Africa is in serious need of support for its democracies.
- (f) Poverty: Africa faces a debt crisis and needs substantial development aid.
- 2. Africa is interesting and challenging because:
- (a) The issues facing Africa are matters of life and well being for the people of Africa.
- (b) The impact on US foreign policy is great. The US has large economic and national security interests in Africa
- (c) Moral issues. The great disparity of wealth between the US and Africa requires an examination of what it means to be the richest people in the world.
- 3. Educational Value:
- (a) Africa is a topic that most debaters and coaches have not studied. It would have great educational value for the debate community to spend one season debating Africa.
- (b) Debaters have expressed a desire to debate foreign policy. This topic would encompass economic aid, free and fair trade, national security, US relations with the UN and other countries in the world.
- 4. Sources: There are many sources available, such as:
- Africa Action - africaaction.org
- Council on Foreign Relations - cfr.org
- AfricaAmericaInstitute - aaionline.org
- TransAfricaForum.org
- ForeignAffairs.org (magazine)