Africa
“We must learn to understand each other.”
TOGO We live in an era characterized by the revolution of transport and communications. Yet a certain anxiety comes when each nation looks out first for its own interest. We must learn to understand each other, more than ever before. People of different backgrounds tend to fear each other. But we should try to enrich each other.
Globalization can give us the concept of our complementarity with all world citizens, rather than of negative competition. God expresses Himself in each of us. We are His spiritual ideas and have always existed. Now, through global communication, we have the opportunity to discover more of God's ideas, and see them expressed everywhere.
Mireille Akué, Professor of Didactics in History and Geography, University of Benin, Lomé
ALGERIA Many houses here have satellite dishes. So you know that people are tuned in to cultural messages from various parts of the globe. Also, a taste for music and foods from other countries is another sign of closer relations between nations.
Yet the move toward globalization is not always of benefit to all. The least well-off are sometimes left behind. They are often the ones turning to religion to find the comfort and help they need so much.
A voice from AlgeriaZAMBIA There ara a number of organizations helping markets get together in eastern and southern Africa, reducing taxes between countries, making it easier to import and export products. Other organizations promote regional peacekeeping. Also, there are a number of organizations for the protection of women and children. All of these are run by Africans. This is the exciting part of it.
Africa is considered poor, but it's probably the wealthiest continent on planet Earth because of its vast resources. With the Internet available to so many at the college level, the educational system is being enhanced. At the primary and secondary levels, the educational system is also coming along. And African countries are striving to become democratized.
Globalization can affect the economy of developing countries in a negative sense, however. A lot of the money that the big corporations make in these countries will leave. Also, there is the fear of losing cultural individuality. This is one of the reasons why the tribal wars are taking place.
Yet I have thought about this idea from The New Oxford Annotated Bible: “For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall ...” (Ephesians 2:14). This refers to breaking down the hostility between people — the fear and suspicion. Overcoming these brings us harmony, unity, and oneness.
Actually, we are all one, brothers and sisters. Malachi asks in the Bible: “Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us?” (2:10). I love that. It speaks of unity and love. Marjorie Scherer, Christian Science Practitioner and Teacher, Lusaka
THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO For some time, there has been a certain aspiration among African countries not only to solve their national problems but also to open their borders and solve the problems of all Africa.
I sometimes hear people saying, however, that this coming together could have negative effects — that a minority might be able to control a big majority, as with the establishment of a world government. So they fear losing their identity by being absorbed into a bigger structure. But since this coming together seems irreversible, it is good to support its positive aspects.
I like to think of Jesus Christ's prayer in John's Gospel (17:11): “Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.” To me, progress means going toward this spiritual unity Jesus spoke of.
There is also Hymn 236 in the Christian Science Hymnal, which goes, “Let nations be one in a union of love,/ God's bountiful peace, all earth's treasures above.” What is this “union of love?” Isn't it love for each other, and tolerance? Not tolerance on the basis of “I have no other choice,” but tolerance based on appreciating the diversity of individualities.
Jesus Christ gave us the promise that there will be one fold and one Shepherd. God's message guides us all as we draw closer to each other — as we unite in this one fold.
Françoise Mianda, Program Assistant, United Nations Development Program, Kinshasa
SOUTH AFRICA In Africa, a village functions very well because its inhabitants share in the sowing and harvesting of crops, the tending of cattle, the fetching of water, and the preparing of meals. If we can get this cooperation and sharing extended to the global village, things will work better.
From the economic point of view, globalization can lead to a better balance between nations. It can lessen the gap between the very wealthy and the very poor. It can make us more aware of each other's cultures and business practices, as well as business problems. This is a key opportunity.
Internationalization is a synonym for globalization. But it has a slightly different connotation because the word nation is in it. That's important, because cultural and national identity need to be respected.
There is a great risk of the weaker nations being influenced too much by the stronger ones. This could lead to further reliance by weaker nations on loans and assistance from the stronger ones. Nations that borrow and never repay tend to lose their self-esteem.
Stronger nations must have the integrity to build up, rather than to exploit, weaker nations. The word integrity is one of the strongest words ever created.
There are no quick-fix material solutions for the issues we've been discussing. Therefore, we've got to turn to metaphysical solutions. When I pray, I give gratitude for the richness and diversity of humankind. I acknowledge the goodness in our various religions and cultures (in our country we have 23 languages). And I acknowledge the integrity of all God's children.
Theodore Shippey, Christian Science Committee on Publication, Cape Town
Africa
Most populous countries
• Nigeria: Pop.: 110.5 mil; 924,000 km2 ; Industry: oil, coal, tin
• Egypt: 66.1 mil; 1,001,000 km2 ; textiles, food production, tourism
• Ethiopia: 58.4 mil; 1,127,000 km2 ; food production, beverages, textiles
• Democratic Republic of Congo: 49.0 mil; 2,345,000 km2 ; mining, minerals, textiles
• South Africa: 42.8 mil; 1,220,000 km2 ; mining (platinum, gold, chromium), automobiles, metals
• Sudan: 33.6 mil; 2,506,000 km2 ; cotton, textiles, cement
• Tanzania: 30.6 mil; 945,000 km2 ; agriculture, mining (diamonds, gold), oil refining
Sources: Der Fischer Weltalmanach ‘97, Fischer Taschaenbuch Verlag Frankfurt/M./CIA, www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook
“I pray, not just for my country, but for the whole world.”
KENYA International travel has become so much easier that a lot of people now come to Kenya. Tourism is one of the great areas of our foreign exchange.
Tourists come here by the planeload. They sometimes go back with their hair braided. You find people striking up good friendships here, and remaining friends. Some come back and forth on an annual basis, if they can afford it.
The effect of the media has been to reduce time and distance, so that the world becomes a kind of global village. This creates an environment where development can be a lot faster than in olden days. There's the opportunity to extend your ideas, to learn more. And you feel a certain amount of international unity.
But sometimes people tend to lose their customs and culture. And international organizations like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund have brought in their own “structural adjustment policies.” In some cases, these programs have not been sustainable. Also, the multinational companies sometimes come in to the detriment of local companies.
These problems can be solved spiritually, that is, through prayer. I pray, not just for my country, but for the whole world. I know a lot of people are praying. Prayer involves knowing our relationship with God, the Father-Mother, and knowing He/She's in control. God's law of love is forever in operation.
Grace Githu, Attorney, Institute for Education and Democracy, Nairobi
