This fascinating speaker, founder of the Good African Coffee Company, was from Kampala, Uganda. His riveting presentation on the importance of trade over foreign aid echoes what many have been saying for years. Aid is not aid. Trade is aid. Between 1970 and 2000, 400 billion dollars went to Africa in foreign aid. And yet the more aid increased, the more African GDP's decreased. While well intentioned, most foreign aid has actually been counterproductive. We must begin to think of Africa as a continent of potential consumers, not an object of charity.A very challenging address!
[UPDATE: After lunch, Bill Hybels challenged us to remember there are different kinds of aid; life-saving, emergency assistance and long-term government to government assistance. Apparently, some felt Mr. Rugasira's presentation was denigrating the importance of all forms of aid. I felt Hybels clarified things appropriately.]
