Eddie Burke

African Women and the Changing Global Outlook

On Friday May 8, The British Embassy will host the second Women's Empowerment in Africa conference in partnership with the National Geographic Society at their headquarters in Washington. The conference will examine how the global economic downturn impacts women's empowerment in Africa.

There's no question that the economic downturn will have a significant impact on women. For example, in some African countries there has been a fall in foreign direct investment, remittances, commodity prices and a continuing rise in food prices.

Panelists at this Friday's conference will try to anticipate what affect this economic hardship will have on the Millennium Development Goals. The MDGs represent a fresh desire to provide education and career opportunities to women in impoverished countries.

Unfortunately, education and jobs - which are normally at a premium for women in many parts of the world - are even more restricted given the current economic environment.

Conference participants include Baroness Amos, Former Leader of the House of Lords, Melanne Verveer, Ambassador at Large for Global Women's Issues, State Department, Mr. Dominick Chilcott Deputy Head of Mission, British Embassy, Washington, Ms. Sheila Johnson, CARE Ambassador and Philanthropist and Ambassador Amina Salum Ali, African Union Ambassador to Washington. The sold out conference has received an overwhelming level of support from a range of sponsors including, the National Geographic Society, VOA, The Diaspora report, AllAfrica.com, Council on Foreign Relations, League of Black Women, Africare, The Washington Informer, TransAfrica Forum, Georgetown University, Howard University and Vibrant design group.

I am personally looking forward to hearing some great dialogue and debate between such a varied group of panelists. You can follow the conference no matter where you are in the world by checking out the Embassy's Twitter feed on Friday.

Posted at 10:51 05 May 2009 by Eddie Burke  |  Comments[0]

What is Africa's challenge? Ask Wangari Maathi.

I had the pleasure of sitting down with 2004 Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr. Wangari Maathi yesterday in the lobby of the Marriott hotel in downtown Washington. Believe me, this is rare given her busy schedule!

For those not familiar, Dr. Maathi is the founder of the Green Belt Movement, an environmentalist, a civil society and women's rights activist, and a parliamentarian. I should add that she was the first woman in Sub Saharan Africa to gain A PhD.

Since winning the Nobel Peace Prize, Wangari Maathai has become a spokesperson for a number of important initiatives. Her organisation the Green Belt Movement began by addressing a serious problem with simple solution: getting communities to plant trees as a symbol of their commitment. Since 1977 she has overseen the planting of around 10 million trees on the continent of Africa.

We talked in depth about the Congo Basin project. Dr Maathi told me she was full of praise for Prime Minister Gordon Brown and the British Government for their support of the Congo Basin Project and for recognising the important contribution gained from forests especially the Congo forest. The Prime Minister (then Chancellor of the Exchequer) In 2005 gave a $100 million contribution for a new fund to support conservation of the Congo Basin Forest Ecosystem. This initiative will help to protect the Congo Basin Forest ecosystem spanning ten countries in central Africa.

The Congo Basin Forest Ecosystem in central Africa plays an important role in absorbing CO2, a main greenhouse gas, and provide the world with oxygen.

"The Congo Basin Forest Ecosystem must be protected, because without them not only will the global climate not be stabilised, but the world will suffer, in particular the region of Africa which has few options"

Of course I took this opportunity to tell Dr. Maathi about the British Embassy's work on climate change and the upcoming Women's Empowerment conference at the National Geographic Society which will focus on "Women and the Global Outlook."

Posted at 10:04 17 April 2009 by Eddie Burke  |  Comments[0]

International Women's Day 2009

Today we mark International Women's Day 2009.

Women are the key to the Millennium Development Goals becoming a reality. The world won’t achieve the MDGs in 2015 without bringing about gender equality and the empowerment of women.

As Gordon Brown quite rightly pointed out in his speech to the UN in September 2007: "The alleviation of poverty and hunger demand global recognition (of) women’s leadership and organizing capacities. Women’s work in agriculture and export promotion are key to sustainable development. The road to sustainable development begins with inclusive policy-making."

Most of the poorest people in the world are women and part of what makes them poor is borne solely out of their gender.

Did you know that in rural Africa it's women, not trucks, who carry two-third of all goods? Many women there are forced to stay at home to work during the day - of course, they sacrifice an education and career do be able to do so.

The MDGs represent a fresh desire to provide education and career opportunities to these women. Some women are not allowed to work at all, however. There are also women afflicted with serious health issues who don't have access to proper treatment. So MDGs not only create opportunities, but also work to promote the equal and fair status of women at home, in education, health, politics and work.

Progress for women not only changes their lives but will better the lives of future generations of women. Women must have equal rights to end poverty. Until then, it won’t happen.

Posted at 13:03 09 March 2009 by Eddie Burke  |  Comments[2]

Time to recommit

Prime Minister Gordon Brown strongly believes that the global community must work together to make 2008 a turning point in the fight against poverty, and in particular build global momentum. This Thursday he'll be joined in New York by other world leaders including Tanzania's President Kikwete, France's President Sarkozy as well as other notables from around the globe.

The purpose of this high-level event -- called by the UN Secretary-General and the President of the UN General Assembly -- is to focus world commitment to achieving the Millennium Development Goals by 2015 and to set out clear plans and practical steps for real action. Issues such as malaria, education, maternal health and food security will be covered in depth.

For those who aren't familiar, the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDG's) were agreed at the UN Millennium Summit in September 2000. Nearly 190 countries have subsequently signed up to them.

The goal remains quite simple: To eradicate poverty by 2015. Easily said right? The calendar says we are halfway from 2000 to 2015. But the reality is that we're a long way from success. This week is an opportunity to get moving in the right direction once again.

Posted at 12:23 19 September 2008 by Eddie Burke  |  Comments[1]