A three-year study explores how Australian-African connections and relationships can be leveraged to deliver inclusive development for Africa and positive benefit for Australia.
Murdoch University has today published its Third Commission, Inclusive Transitions on the Continent of Africa, the culmination of a three-year study into the policy challenges and issues of public concern to Africa.
Drawing lessons from the shared experiences and connection between Africa and Australia, two continents linked via the Indian Ocean, it explores possible transitions towards inclusive development globally.
“In Africa we have continent of 54 countries and 1.3 billion people that demands a special focus in any discussion of inclusive transitions and addressing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals,” said Professor David Morrison.
The Third Commission explores how we might achieve sustainable development and unlock the enormous potential of Africa’s renewable and non-renewable resources, agriculture, blue economy and more.Professor David Morrison Deputy Vice Chancellor of Research and Innovation
“Importantly, these opportunities can help us tackle the significant risks that come with forecasts that more than half of the world’s population increase over the next thirty years will be in Africa. The role of women and youth are critical to all positive future scenarios.”
“The deepening rural poverty, social inequalities and environmental degradation that may surface if the development of African states isn’t inclusive of all people are confronting challenges.”
The Third Commission is the most recent instalment in a series of independent research reports that bring together experts and thought leaders from around the globe to work on pressing problems and issues of public concern.
The report provides recommendations including:
Agriculture
How the continent can add more value to its exports in the context of situations like the cocoa trade, where Africa produces 75% of cocoa but receives only 2% of the US $100 billion a year chocolate markets.Healthcare
How the example of Western Australia’s telehealth system can be used to deliver better healthcare in Africa and ways this approach might be scaled across the continent by harnessing the global professional African diaspora.The Blue Economy
How Africa’s growing aquaculture industry can be rapidly and sustainably scaled to improve diets and achieve greater food self-sufficiency.Mining
How the operating framework of the extractives industry can be made transparent, ethical and underpin inclusive economic growth in mostly rural areas.Energy
How the global revolution in mainstreaming of advances in renewable energy generation and distribution can transform non-electrified rural Africa.Demographics
How the world’s youngest continent, with 41 per cent of its population currently under the age of 15 years, can leverage its youth, particular younger women to deliver economic growth that benefits all.
In each of these areas, the Murdoch Third Commission highlights the role and responsibility for Western Australian academics and industry to help African achieve a bright future for its people.
This research supports all United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 1-17.