Category Archives: Uncategorized

Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 3 June 2010

542a. Interior of St Peter's Church, Carrigrohane

Kieran’s Our City, Our Town article

Cork Independent

In the Footsteps of St. Finbarre (Part 214)

The Resilient Landscape

Rev. J.H. Cole’s compiled notes of 1903 on the church and parish records of the United Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross gives much historic information on many religious sites. The multiple sites and the people who oversaw religious worship at such sites offer insights into the depth of legacy of the Church of Ireland in Irish community life. Rev. Cole also highlights the roots of clergymen, their education and career. Those details seem to shine a further light on the importance of religion and faith in building communities.

By 1826, Henry Theophilus Moore Hodder is recorded as the precentor at St Peter’s Carrigrohane. The Protestant Population of Carrigrohane stood at 163 and in nearby Currikippane at 57. Samuel Lewis in 1837 notes that; “The living is a rectory in the Diocese of Cork united from time immemorial to the rectories of Currikippane and Corbally, and to one-fourth of the rectory of Kinneagh, which four parishes constitute the corps of the precentorship of the cathedral of St. Finbarr, Cork”. The tithes of the Carrigrohane parish amount came to £330, and of the whole union to £943. There was no glebe-house in the union.

The next significant event recorded by Rev Cole is in 1851. Henry T.M. Hodder invested in the construction of a new chancel, a west end, a tower and a timber and slate spire. It’s difficult to interpret this move of reconstruction. Historically, this was a time post famine and a time of shock and trauma and a time of re-building. However, at this time, church building up to the time of the famine was enormous – between Catholic churches being built in the post emancipation years to the revamp of Protestant. St. Peter’s Church would have been one of the first churches in County Cork to be revamped in the post famine years. It perhaps was a statement of resilience in the face of enormous social change. Style wise it was not something new but would have lifted spirits, provided some employment and showed an interest in being innovative in the local area of Carrigrohane.

Michael Gerard Costello in an MA thesis in Geography in 1994 on the symbolic geography of church construction in Cork makes some very interesting points on the importance of interpreting symbolism within Church of Ireland churches.  The revamping of Protestant Churches was quite common in the nineteenth century. It was part of a new wave of interest and investment by the Protestant community. Revamped churches were part of a re-investment in faith and community. It showed resilience in group identification; perhaps in a sense a newly revamped church seemed to become a stronghold of established faith. In light of enormous social change, revamped churches became about solidarity and of ensuring continuity.  

Whether or which, St Peter’s Carrigrohane was part of a wider cog of the Church of Ireland. From my own explorations in the City and County, Protestant churches are fantastic buildings to engage with. They are very beautiful structures with enormous attention to detail whether that be through the cut stone or stained windows, pews and even emblems, plaques and memorials on walls. Those that remain working churches complete with roof and their fittings reveal much about the power of symbolism and morality. Stories from the bible are told through imagery and one can see how an architect works to draw in the future viewer and about moving the imagination.

The one stained glass window in St Peter’s particularly draws my own imagination. Its colours and figures, which depict temperance, gratitude and justice, seem to stand remind one of the importance of human efforts in remembering the work and finances that go into a church project. It also remembers Arthur Lionel Tobin, the only child of Thomas and Catherine Tobin of Ballincollig Gunpowder Mills. Shortly after taking up his position as managing director in 1835, Thomas married Catherine Ellis, daughter of Lister Ellis of Crofthead, Cumberland, on 12 September 1835. They had one child, a son, Arthur Lionel, who was born in Ballincollig on 7 August 1837.

Arthur in time became a lieutenant in the 23rd Royal Welch Fusiliers. The Royal Welch Fusiliers was a regiment of the British Army, part of the Prince of Wales’ Division. The light infantry and grenadier companies of the Fusiliers saw bloody action in the American War of Independence. The regiment also participated in the Napoleonic Wars – for example, at Waterloo, in the 4th Brigade.

Arthur served in the Crimean War and in the Indian colonial wars. He was wounded in the thigh while fighting at the capture of Kaiserbogh, Lucknow (16 March 1858) and died on 12 October 1858. He was buried near Lucknow. Thomas and Catherine were very saddened by the death of their only son and child at 21 years of age. To commemorate his son, Thomas presented a stained glass window to St. Peter’s Church, Carrigrohane, He also presented it as a memorial to the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. The window was executed by Henry Holiday and W.G Saunders, two major figures in stained glass art of the nineteenth century.

To be continued…

Thanks to Ruth Jackson and Patsy Devoy for their courtesy and insights

Captions:

542a. Interior of St. Peter’s Church, Carrigrohane (pictures: Kieran McCarthy)

542b. Figures, ‘temperance’, ‘gratitude’ and ‘justice’, above the altar stained glass window, St Peter’s Church, Carrigrohane.

 542b. Figures 'temperance', 'gratitude' and 'justice' above the altar stained glass window, St Peter's Church, Carrigrohane

Kieran’s Book Launch of Inheritance: Heritage and Memory in the Lee Valley

Kieran’s book launch of Inheritance: Heritage and Memory in the Lee Valley

My thanks to Margaret Griffin of Griffin’s Garden Centre for hosting the event, Dripsey Community Association for their help in organising the event, Cllr John Kelleher, deputising for the Lord Mayor, who launched it and everyone who came out to support the launch.

 About the book: http://kieranmccarthy.ie/?p=2415

 sales: http://www.thehistorypress.ie/product.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=&P_ID=493

Pictures of the great night below!

Book Launch of Inheritance-Heritage and Memory in the Lee Valley by Kieran McCarthy

Book Launch of Inheritance-Heritage and Memory in the Lee Valley by Kieran McCarthy

Book Launch of Inheritance-Heritage and Memory in the Lee Valley by Kieran McCarthy

Book Launch of Inheritance-Heritage and Memory in the Lee Valley by Kieran McCarthy

Book Launch of Inheritance-Heritage and Memory in the Lee Valley by Kieran McCarthy

Book Launch of Inheritance-Heritage and Memory in the Lee Valley by Kieran McCarthy

Book Launch of Inheritance-Heritage and Memory in the Lee Valley by Kieran McCarthy

Book Launch of Inheritance-Heritage and Memory in the Lee Valley by Kieran McCarthy

Book Launch of Inheritance-Heritage and Memory in the Lee Valley by Kieran McCarthy

 

Book Launch of Inheritance-Heritage and Memory in the Lee Valley by Kieran McCarthy

Book Launch of Inheritance-Heritage and Memory in the Lee Valley by Kieran McCarthy

Book Launch of Inheritance-Heritage and Memory in the Lee Valley by Kieran McCarthy

Book Launch of Inheritance-Heritage and Memory in the Lee Valley by Kieran McCarthy

Book Launch of Inheritance-Heritage and Memory in the Lee Valley by Kieran McCarthy

Book Launch of Inheritance-Heritage and Memory in the Lee Valley by Kieran McCarthy

Book Launch of Inheritance-Heritage and Memory in the Lee Valley by Kieran McCarthy

Book Launch of Inheritance-Heritage and Memory in the Lee Valley by Kieran McCarthy

Book Launch of Inheritance-Heritage and Memory in the Lee Valley by Kieran McCarthy

Book Launch of Inheritance-Heritage and Memory in the Lee Valley by Kieran McCarthy

Book Launch of Inheritance-Heritage and Memory in the Lee Valley by Kieran McCarthy

Kinsale Road Amenity Site, Darren Swanton Memorial Car Rally

20 May 2010

                The Kinsale Road Landfill is probably one of the largest environmental projects in the country. To cap a landfill requires enormous effort and finance. In addition, we are lucky that here is Ireland’s next ‘Phoenix Park’ in the making. This site has and still continues to be a controversial site in terms of its functions and how it affects the well-being of the city and the future vision of the city. I have to say I was very excited to be able to walk around the area and especially to circle around the “forbidden area”, one of the last areas to be capped. I felt the car rally represented the first step in the making of a new amenity park. I know everyone was not for the rally but I have to say it was great to see so many people supporting Marymount Hospice and engaging (walking, sitting down, observing, photographing) with the first parts of an amenity park. Certainly history was in the making today. Well done to all involved.

The Darren Swanton Memorial Rallysprint took place today (Sunday the 30th of May)  at the Cork City Civic Amenity Centre on Kinsale Road . Organised and promoted by Cork Motor Club Ltd., in association with Cork City Council and the Bishopstown and District Lions Club, the event aimed to raise money for the Marymount Hospice.

Darren was a 30 year old member of the Cork Motor Club who died of cancer in Marymount in 2009. Taking place on the site of the former landfill on the Kinsale Road, the event saw around 100 cars participating on the day. The event also hosted a fun fair onsite and there was food outlets, merchandisers, etc., to give the day a real family feel.

This event was run subject to the permission of Cork City Council, the Gardai, Cork Fire Service and representatives of the HSE.

Kinsale Road Amenity Site- Darren Swanton Memorial Rally, 30 May 2010

Kinsale Road Amenity Site- Darren Swanton Memorial Rally, Kieran, Simon Coveney & Friends of Marymount Hospice, 30 May 2010

Kinsale Road Amenity Site- Darren Swanton Memorial Rally, 30 May 2010

Kinsale Road Amenity Site- Darren Swanton Memorial Rally, 30 May 2010

Kinsale Road Amenity Site- Darren Swanton Memorial Rally, 30 May 2010

Kinsale Road Amenity Site- Darren Swanton Memorial Rally, 30 May 2010

Kinsale Road Amenity Site- Darren Swanton Memorial Rally, 30 May 2010

Kinsale Road Amenity Site- Darren Swanton Memorial Rally, 30 May 2010

Kinsale Road Amenity Site- Darren Swanton Memorial Rally, 30 May 2010

Kinsale Road Amenity Site- Darren Swanton Memorial Rally, 30 May 2010

Kinsale Road Amenity Site- Darren Swanton Memorial Rally, 30 May 2010

Kinsale Road Amenity Site- Darren Swanton Memorial Rally, 30 May 2010

Kinsale Road Amenity Site- Darren Swanton Memorial Rally, 30 May 2010

Kinsale Road Amenity Site- Darren Swanton Memorial Rally, 30 May 2010

Kinsale Road Amenity Site- Darren Swanton Memorial Rally, 30 May 2010

Kinsale Road Amenity Site- Darren Swanton Memorial Rally, 30 May 2010

Kinsale Road Amenity Site- Darren Swanton Memorial Rally, 30 May 2010

Kinsale Road Amenity Site- Darren Swanton Memorial Rally, 30 May 2010

Kinsale Road Amenity Site- Darren Swanton Memorial Rally, 30 May 2010

Kinsale Road Amenity Site- Darren Swanton Memorial Rally, 30 May 2010

Kinsale Road Amenity Site- Darren Swanton Memorial Rally, 30 May 2010

Kinsale Road Amenity Site- Darren Swanton Memorial Rally, 30 May 2010

Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 27 May 2010

 541a. St. Peter's Church, Carrigrohane, May 2010

Kieran’s Our City, Our Town article, Cork Independent

In the Footsteps of St. Finbarre (Part 213)

Humanising History

The late nineteenth century structure of St. Peter’s Church Carrigrohane sits atop Church Road Hill in Carrigrohane and within a quietness overlooking in particular the western fringes of Bishopstown, Cork City. For me I delight in walking across such spaces. There is also a kind of magical feel about such places.

In St Peter’s Church graveyard, the rusted Victorian chains around some graves reveal the forgotten traditions of minding the dead in Victorian times. Similarly, the multiple headstones now lean to one and have lost their foothold in the landscape and maybe in memory too as the names and dates fade on the stone. It’s seems easy to romanticise such a place but as I sit on the grass in the graveyard snapping pictures I do think of all the people buried here and the various centuries represented and perhaps some events they might have seen in their lives and all those people who make a regular pilgrimage to them.

Brady in his 1863 book on the churches of County Cork  reveal a deeper legacy than the nineteenth century building. In fact, there have been people walking across this space for over 700 years. A parish church is mentioned in Carrigrohane in the year 1291 and is rated at four marks. It probably complimented the nearby De Cogan Castle at Carrigrohane. The De Cogans were of Anglo-Normans descent and had been involved in constructing the walled town of Cork and possessed much land in the Cork area.

Through reading up more on the idea of a sacred place and why people engage with churches and religion, I was interested to read up on a number of points. These books brought me to pilgrimage practices in Ireland, Italy, and Japan. There is an argument by pilgrimage scholars that at churches that a sense of place is forged on the edge of the real and heavenly world, the known and invisible world – that the divine presence was real and accessible –that that the divine could be seen and touched. In addition to become conscious of the sacred and the powerful sense of mystery people carry and display a whole series of personal emotions. The human experience conjures up multiple feelings-of belief, faith, hope, expectation, motivation, intellectual inspiration and inquisitiveness, all in a search for forgiveness and an epiphany. I think these are very relevant points and perhaps humanise the experience of the heritage of religion as well. That is not just the facts, structure, artefacts, oral histories that need minding but also the traits that perhaps bind the human condition together.

Sometimes, I also forget about the human side of minding and making churches relevant to people in today’s world- the level that someone had to take over the building, and make the building meaningful to a community and  be a leader.  

Very little is known of the leaders in the first three hundred years of the history of St. Peter’s Church. It is only in the turbulent years of King Henry VIII when one gets further information through the survey work he pursued of churches in Britain and Ireland. In 1543, William Fitzmaurice Fitzgerald, Chaplain, was appointed precentor by the crown. The position was vacant and at the King’s disposal. The previous incumbent is noted as of Irish descent.A precentor is a person who helps facilitate worship.

By the year 1582, John Gould was precentor in Carrigrohane. In the year 1591, Dionisius Cambell appears as Precentor. Cambell was from Scotland and had been Archdeacon and subsequently Dean of Limerick. He was rector in Dromclifee in Killaloe and in the year 1588 was appointed coadjutor Bishop of Limerick. In 1591, he came to Carrigrohane. In the year 1603 he was nominated to the sees of Derry, Raphoe and Clogher. Unfortunately he died before his consecration in London in 1603. By 1612 John Alden is in place as precentor in Carrigrohane. He eventually moved on to Clonmel and Israel Taylor took over. In 1615, a curate Richard Allen was also provided for. A this time also, the chancel of the church was in ruins and had to be replaced. The structure held about 70 people.

In 1641, Israel Taylor’s property at Carrigrohane amounting to £680 was taken from him due to the mounting political situation in Ireland and protests from the Protestant class about their rights within Ireland. In post Cromwellian times in 1661, Philemon Fitzsymons appears at Precentor. He was educated at Trinity College Dublin and worked in Cloyne, Youghal and Inniscarra before taking up his position at Carrigrohane. Three years later he died. His successor was Richard Clerke who graduated from TCD in 1664 and held positions in Cloyne and Lismore before taking over responsibility. 

When one fast forwards through time, new names appear as precentors – Walter Neale (1686), Rowland Davies (1706), Peter Hewet (1710), Thomas Russell (1720), Jemmet Browne (1724), Peter Waterhouse (1732) and Edward Browne (1750), John Chetwynd (1752), Thomas Browne (1757), Thomas Waterhouse (1762), Samuel Woodroffe (1762), John Chetwood (1780), Henry Sandiford (1790).  In addition, Charles Smith in his History of Cork in the year 1750 writes about a new church built on the ruins of the old one in the early eighteenth century.

To be continued…

Captions:

541a. St. Peter’s Church Carrigrohane, May 2010 (pictures: Kieran McCarthy)

541b. River Lee at Leemount Bridge, May 2010

 

 

541b. River Lee at Leemount Bridge, May 2010

Free Parking?

Kieran ‘s comments, Cork City Council Meeting, 24 May 2010

Re:  Kieran’s motion, which came before the City Council meeting, Monday 24 May 2010;

As an incentive to boost trading in Cork City and to help traders in these difficult economic times, that this Council would offer 2 hours free parking in the Council’s two public carparks on Saturday mornings from 9 am to 11am on a trial period in early spring 2010, a period of time to be agreed upon (Cllr K. McCarthy)”.

Kieran: Despite the E.5 million surplus over the last three years, car parking income is going one way. Over E.500,000 was lost between 2007 and 2009.  Over E.180,000 in income was lost in public car parks in 2008/ 09. All of the Council’s public carparks North Main Street and Paul Street, White Street and Park and Ride are losing money. People are not buying into multi-storey carparks and the 1,900 car parks spaces. There is a need for a review and a marketing campaign.

This is a positive proposal for the Council; it is a positive proposal for traders. North Main Street carpark in particular is worst affected.  I wish to call for a vote to reject the managers report which recommends not carrying out this proposal.

Kmc: Unfortunately I was outvoted, 17-5 by by fellow councillors.

Kieran’s Motions, Cork City Council, 27 May 2010

Kieran’s Motions, Cork City Council, 27 May 2010 

Motions:

That a review take place of where the bins and dog fouls bins are in the south east ward with an eye to providing more bins especially to combat dog fouling (Cllr Kieran McCarthy).

 

To get a report from the Director of Planning on the status of development on vacant land behind St Finbarre’s Hospital on South Douglas Road  (western side) adjacent the eastbound bus stop (Cllr Kieran McCarthy).

City Hall, Cork

 

Deputy Lord Mayor-Cork Branch, Irish Soccer Referree Association

Kieran deputising for the Lord Mayor at the Irish Soccer Referrees Association, Cork branch Dinner, accompanied by Claire Mansfield

Kieran’s Speech, Deputising for the Lord Mayor

Cork Branch, Irish Soccer Referree Association, 22 May 2010, Rochestown Park Hotel, Cork

 “Temporal Voyages”

Chairman, ladies and gentlemen,

Many thanks for the invite this evening. Fifty years is indeed a great milestone and it’s great to see the branch taking time out, taking stock and reflecting on fifty years of hard grafting and building.

I read from your history that you were founded in September 1960. Time is an interesting thing and time brings its own problems and achievements. If one catapults oneself back into that month and begin reading the Evening Echo, one is presented with a very interesting world.

On the international news front, one reads of the Congo republic in its first couple of days after Belgian troops withdrawing. You can read about the space race and the proposed vision of living in domes on the moon and growing the earth’s crops there; the Russians creating Sputnik is featured and a new war was beginning as Communist troops invaded Los in North East Vietnam

The Paris fashion gurus were saying that short hair and big eyes were in and hair colour that could be stroked on your head as it had been invented. And a new Electric Clothes Dryer had also been invented and in the sales pages of the Echo.

 If you couldn’t get the newspapers, you could always tune into Radio Eireann, the BBC Home Service, The BBC Light Programmes, the BBC Third Programme, Radio Luxembourg or the American Forces Network.

In Ireland, debate raged on the idea of television as Sweden’s television network got the editorial review in the Evening Echo.

Eamon de Valera had just being elected third President of Ireland. Sean Lemass becoame the new leader of Fianna Fáil and The Irish Congress of Trade Unions is formed. And Ireland began negotiations to join the EEC but failed in 1961.

Wexford was preparing to meet Tipperary in the Hurling final

In Cork, new housing schemes had just appeared in Churchfield and Ballyphehane. Preparations were nearly there for the opening of Verolme Dockyard and Cork Airport;,  Gouldings Fertilisers opened as did St Catherine’s Primary School in Bishopstown. fundraising for a new Cork Opera House  was still ongoing and Cork City Council was contemplating a Cork Main Drainage Scheme. Clinics were held at City Hall for chest problems and Diptheria immunisation.

The Evening Echo was filled full of sporting reports – filled to the brim with hurling, football, rugby and soccer programmes. And in the midst of all those things going on For September 1960, The Cork Branch of the Irish Soccer Referees Society was founded A.O.H Hall on Morrison’s Island. Twelve members were present;

Sam Alan, Joe Bray, Frank Casey, Jim Mullins, Joe Hurley, Joe Riordan, Owen Mc Carthy, Sylvester Greger, S O Connell, C.Crowley, W Horgan, and Sam Spillane joined latter by other greats such as Derry Barrett and Rory O Conner among others.

And here we are fifty years later, the branch has evolved as the needs of its members changed over time to incorporate what they saw as relevant to the contemporary and future of soccer in Ireland. Each successful season is immortalised in the memories of all those who took part over the five decades and probably numerous photos exist in members’ memory drawers at home.

Any sport is a great thing. Your branch has brought increased professionalism amongst your members but also amongst each player that stands before a game.

In a sense, you have wielded sport and its power to grasp, inspire confidence, self-purpose, provoke questions and the imagination and and so much more. You have also given hope and have no doubt have saved souls.

So ladies and gentlemen there is so much to learn from you.

You have seen much talent, confidence self pride, self belief and a desire to perform their sport, a self purpose and how to create and nurture those traits

Ladies and gentlemen, in this world, we need more of such confidence, pride and belief – we need to mass produce these qualities,

Ladies and gentlemen, we need to continue to build a legacy in our sporting traditions in this city and also continues to present us with the question

 

– well what are we doing in our own lives to push forward?

Your branch has come this far – fifty years but I have no doubt has more distance run in it. What will your branch look like in fifty years time?, even ten years. We don’t live in 1960 but in another time when ideas once more are needed and true professionals like yourselves are needed to offer leadership.

I would like to encourage everyone to keep fighting, keep setting an example to all of us. I congratulate all the members both past and present on this achievement and wish you well for the next fifty years

And would like to finish with this; if one had an interest in the cinema in September 1960, the theme in Cork’s cinema was also about life

The Palace played the film last voyage, the Savoy, Never Let go, The Lee cinema, The Earth is mine,

If you wanted a piece of Heaven – well the Capitol played Samson and Delilah but if you wanted Heaven with a bit of an alternative, well there was the film The Hot Angel playing at the Colliseum

And if you wanted you wanted to know what hell was, well the Pavillion played Hell is a City

Many thanks for the invite and enjoy the evening.

Deputy Lord Mayor Event- Africa in the 21st Century

Kieran deputising for the Lord Mayor at the conference Africa in the 21st Century with Nigerian embassy rep, Kenyan and South African ambassadors

 

Kieran’s Speech, Deputy Lord Mayor, Conference, Africa in the 21st century, Cork City Hall, 21 May 2010 

“A New Scramble for Africa”

 Ladies and gentlemen,

Many thanks for your invitation this morning.

I’m going to start with a confession. I’m a born and bred Corkman. You’ll hear it my accent. My DNA is bound up with this windswept Atlantic facing city. My views –convictions, education, beliefs, values, traditions and outlook are bound to Ireland’s second city and its place in Ireland, an island rock within Western Europe.

 I’m a historical geographer by trade and have an interest in how people interact with places. I’m an avid fan of the power of cultural heritage, education and the development of peoples’ talents. I have never been to Africa, even though I went to Cork Schools that were big into supporting the missionaries in African countries and the age of Live Aid.

I grew up in a time when migrant influx into Ireland was minuscule and globalisation certainly was not a major issue as it is today. Of course that has all changed rapidly in the Ireland of today.

I have never been to Africa and since I got elected I have had the opportunity to listen more to African citizens now resident in Ireland. I always think that everybody has a story to tell and that everybody can contribute to our society if they so wish. Reading up on the challenges faced by Africa today, I was intriqued by the quotes of Kofi Annan of the United Nations that seem to pitch many questions for debate on the future of Africa.

I quote:

·        “No society can develop without focusing on three pillars:
1   Security and safety for the population
2   Economic and social development
3   Respect for the rule of law and human rights”

 

·        “Some crimes are so shameful, and shame us all, that we cannot attribute it and leave it to others to respond and that we all have to act”

 

·        “Almost every [African] government is now elected; communication is making a difference; civil society is becoming very active; and people know their rights, are beginning to understand them and are demanding them”

 

·        “The poor don’t really want a handout. They want to trade themselves and work themselves out of poverty”

 

·        “[Global warming] is having a real impact on communities and individuals [in Africa]; either by sustained drought, water stress, or changing weather patterns that destroy agricultural production

 

·        “Africa is changing, the momentum is building in the right direction, and we should help them move on”

 

And one from Bob Geldolf

·        “I think there is no doubt there is a new scramble for Africa underway”

 

These are all broad themes which range from physical developments to the nature of what government should do to democracy to the nature of community to the human condition itself. The canvass is enormous with different physical geographies with an enormous population .

            The last decade of the 20th century seems to bring much hope. The last African colony, Namibia, became independent at the beginning of the last decade, majority rule was established in South Africa, and there was a revival of democracy in many parts of Africa.  

Perhaps more so than ever there is a global demand that peace, prosperity and cultural revival will emerge in Africa, or is used to draw attention to the need for such an evolution. However, the continuing Darfur genocide, manipulation of elections or completely ignoring the elections or the outcome of elections by some leaders diverted Africa’s attention from more urgent issues of civil wars, AIDS, malaria, and education.

At the moment, Africa is the only continent where poverty is on the rise.  Over 40% of the people of sub-Saharan Africa live below the international poverty line of US$1 a day.  Africa’s share of world trade has plummeted, accounting for less than 2%. More than 140 million young Africans are illiterate, and Africa is the only continent where the number of children out of school is rising. 

Africans in both the Diaspora and the continent have entered the 21st century still confronted by the hard realities of entrenched poverty, general underdevelopment, death from curable diseases, illiteracy, international marginalisation, and questions over prospects for rates of growth and development that will close the gap between themselves and the rich countries.

            Africans on the continent and in the Diaspora are today confronted by a world of financial, investment, and trade regimes which unfairly favour the developed world and which prevents them from improving their quality of life. Skewed investment patterns, unfair trading systems, and a gross imbalance in terms of access to productive capital continue to undermine development efforts in the African and developing world. 

 

Investment in peace, health and education are recognized by many African leaders as essential elements for economic and social emancipation to make the 21st century the African Century. In order to generate sustainable progress, there needs to improvements in the dialogue and actual resolutions between continents

Being responsible seems to a key issue in resolving any debate on Africa. But being responsible brings its own issues. I broke the word Responsible into its constituent parts and came up with the following.

  R – real life issues involved

E – energy needed to deal with issues

S – society and its complex processes

P – parts, different parts of the process

O – opportunities that arise

N – negotiations needed

S – strategies needed

I – ideas needed

B – Unknown

L – levels that change need to occur on. Local, national & international

E – empowering needed to get the process moving

However, even if one takes all these steps you may be presented with further steps; As Nelson Mandela notes:

“After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb.

But perhaps we all have to start somewhere. When the fire of debate and hope goes out, then we have larger problems with our own souls,

They are just are a few points. I wish you well this morning in your discussions and debate and many thanks again for the invitation.