The leaders of the most industrialized nations and Russia are preparing to meet in Canada this month to discuss, among other issues, the New Partnership for Africa´s Development (NEPAD) paper, a proposal by African leaders to the developed world.
African leaders are proposing economic and political reforms to help their continent, in cooperation with the world´s richest countries, said CAFOD policy analyst Henry Northover.
NEPAD in part calls for further debt relief, more and better aid packages, and fairer terms of trade. In return, African leaders pledge to improve democracy, promote peace, develop their nations´ economic framework, open up their markets, and crack down on corruption.
G-8 Finance Ministers are meeting in Halifax, Nova Scotia, to negotiate financial backing for NEPAD. At their June 26-27 meeting in Kananaskis, Alberta, G-8 leaders make decide definitively on a pact with Africa.
The Group of Eight members are Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, the United Kingdom, the United States and Japan. Canada´s Catholic bishops are also urging the G-8 to help Africa.
