Abstract The paper relates that although the continent of Africa is rich in resources and possibilities, certain countries on the continent have experienced a great deal of political and social unrest. The paper explains that to combat some of the issues facing the continent of Africa, the African Union was created. The paper explores the successes and failures of the African Union and focuses on what needs to be done to improve its effectiveness.
Outline:
Abstract
Introduction
Synopsis of the African Union
Successes of the African Union
Failures of the African Union
Improvements to the African Union
Conclusion
From the Paper "According to Melber (2001) the formation of the African Union on 11 July 2000 was a constitutive act implemented by the 36th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government. This act mandated ratification by at least two-thirds of the 53 members of the Organization of African Unity. By the time the Lusaka Summit took place in July 2001, 50 member states had agreed upon the document and the African Union was created."
Abstract This in-depth paper discusses the parallels between the colonial states and the independent African nations stressing that there are much more commonalities between the two than most critics would acknowledge. Writer Michael Crowder addresses the complaints of European nations and various media publications against the decline of the African nations since their independence from European colonial rule. The paper also details Europe's desire for the former African colonies to create and maintain a liberal democracy in order to achieve political and economic independence.
From the Paper "Crowder does not see the same "African disaster" that so many others see. When looking at Africa in total with its history of rule under colonialism and the haphazard manner at which independence had been thrusted at the African nations, it is amazing that these African nations have survived and achieved the successes that they have done so today. Where others saw despair in the African nations, Crowder saw success and hope for a brighter African future. He first examines the parallels between the colonial states and the independent African nations, stressing that there are much more commonalities between the two than the critics would acknowledge."
Abstract This paper examines Ghana's economy. Subsistence agriculture continues to be the most important sector of this West African country's economic structure and more than half of the work force is employed in subsistence agriculture, and these small landholders and their employees account for approximately one-third of Ghana's gross domestic product. The paper shows that as it is well endowed with natural resources, Ghana has roughly twice the per capita output of the poorer countries in West Africa, yet despite this productivity, the Ghanaian economy remains heavily dependent on international financial and technical assistance.
Abstract This paper examines the construction of Africa as a "naturally violent place" by attempting to show that such portrayals misrepresent a complex and ambiguous picture. It looks at how such portrayals form a representation that affects the social world, both in the global North and in the South. It argues that contrary to journalistic depictions, which tend to naturalise and remove African conflict to some ahistorical realm far away from the global North, the roots of many of the conflicts plaguing the Horn of Africa can be found in the intersection of the global and the local. It also examines some of the conflicts in North East Africa and argues how one of the elements critical to these conflicts is not just the weapons flows and economic interests of the Global north but the way global narratives ? of progress, of modernity ? are taken up and played out.
From the Paper "Before examining the construction of "natural violence", it is important to consider what violence is. When confronted by Alice Lakwena, an Acholi woman from northern Uganda who was possessed by a Christian sprit known as Lakwena and started a guerrilla group ? journalists employed terms like ?voodoo priestess.? Journalists, in being asked to report on the now, especially in a place so far from their understanding, tend to neglect history ? Johnson (2003) called it an institutional amnesia. This is not simply the fault of journalists; violence, a war, has this compelling property. So great are the upheavals of war, and the apparent discontinuities they bring with them, that they can often mask the deep rooted reasons for such struggle."
Abstract This paper examines the operations and underlying strategies of South African Breweries Ltd (SABMiller or SAB), the second largest brewery in the world, born and bred in South Africa. The paper points out that SAB focuses on building first choice brands, on nurturing partnerships with distributors, customers and the communities in which they operate and on being a responsible employer and global citizen. SAB's results demonstrate that the momentum of recent years is continuing across their businesses delivering growth and volumes ahead of expectations; therefore, the paper recommends investing in the company. The paper is written in the style of an annual report and includes color photos.
Table of Contents:
Executive Summary
Factors Contributing to Annual Results:
Outlook for SABMiller
Factors contributing to Future Results
Corporate Governance
The King Report on Governance for S.A
Main Strategic Initiatives
Financial Analysis-March 2006
The Beverage Industry-Competition
Awards and Acheivements
Conclusion
Appendices
From the Paper "These compliances are monitored closely by both individual and institutional investors. Individual investors are those who buy relatively small quantities of shares so as to earn a return on idle funds, build a source of retirement income or provide financial security. Institutional investors are investment professionals that are paid to manage other people's money. They hold and trade large quantities of securities for individuals, businesses and governments. These may include banks, insurance companies and pension funds."
Tags:economy expectations, institutional investors, global footprint, compliances
Abstract African nationalism has played a significant role in the resistance against foreign domination and has been a major influence in the lives of Africans throughout much of the continent. This paper looks at how African nationalism is often defined as the political movement that called for African unity in the struggle for self-determination against colonial regimes. Its general history is summarized in this paper.
From the Paper "Mills (n.d) provides a description of how African nationalist groups were formed during the years prior to resistance. He explains that African Initiated Churches (AIC's) were prominent groups that staged resistance some 10-20 years prior to the formation of actual nationalist groups. AIC's came into existence throughout Africa beginning in the 1890's and were initially in response to African concerns on the domination by whites over church finances and offices."
Abstract This paper discusses Pan-Africanism, a movement based on the 19th century desire to end slavery not only in the United States but also in South American and the Caribbean. It was from this era that Black people throughout the world decided that the way to address many of the issues they experienced as a race was to work together as a team. The paper describes the international meetings held to discuss this issue and also highlights the leadership of the Pan-African movement. The author concludes that the Pan-Africanism movement was and still is a positive team-oriented effort to introduce the African-American culture to the world and to share the common bond among people worldwide who share an African ancestral background.
Outline:
Introduction
In a Nutshell
Harlem Renaissance
The Arts
Conclusion
From the Paper "When one studies the topic of Pan-Africanism one is not studying a single element in history but instead is studying a wide range of events and cultural preferences that go along with African American history and culture. Experts agree that there is not a single definition for the term Pan-Africanism but the term itself does define it as an independent idea. The concept of Pan-Africanism is based in the 19th century desire to end slavery. At that time slavery was not only an issue in the United States but was also an issue in several other nations including South American and the Caribbean(Definition of Pan-Africanism? http://geography.about.com/b/a/012445.htm). It was from this era that Black people throughout the world decided that the way to solve many of the problems that the race was experiencing was work together as a team."
Abstract This extensive paper examines a number of issues related to African-American women and breast cancer, with an emphasis on detection, treatment and survival. The paper gives a brief overview of cancer, the breast and types of breast cancers. The author then describes the purpose of this study, which was to determine the impact of racial disparity on breast cancer survival. The study also addresses socio-economic factors, such as lack of health insurance, and low incomes. The study attempts to identify the reasons why African-American women have a higher mortality rate than all other ethnic groups. Finally, the author questions whether education, community out-reach programs, resources would influence the probability of reducing breast cancer mortality rates among African-American women.
Outline:
Introduction and Problem Background
The Breast
Development of the Breast
What is Cancer?
What is Breast Cancer?
Major Types of Breast Cancers
Risk Factors for developing Breast Cancer
Purpose of Study
Research Objectives
Limitation
Assumptions
Definition of Terms
Scope of Study
Review of Related Literature
Historical and General Background
Possible Barriers to The African-American Women having Mammograms
Existing Studies
Another Study of Racial Disparities in Breast Carcinoma Survival Rates
Methodology
Instrumentation
Statistical Approach
Relevant Results and Significant Studies
Summary of the Literature Reviewed
Findings
Association Between Socio-economic Status and Breast Cancer Survival
Relationship between racial difference in treatment, and breast cancer mortality among the African-American women and the Caucasian-women
Summary, Conclusions, Recommendations
Summary
Conclusions
Recommendations
References
From the Paper "The incidence of breast cancer among the African-American women is slightly lower than it is for the Caucasian women. In any given year, 95 out of 100,000 African-American women are diagnosed with breast cancer, compared to 112 out of every 100,000 the Caucasian women. However, the African-American women are slightly more likely to develop breast cancer after age 50 (www.netwellness.org, 2004). Breast cancer is the cancer with the second highest death rate for both the African-American women and the Caucasian women. The overall lifetime risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer is 10% for the African-American women and 14% for the Caucasian women. However, about 31 out of every 100,000 the African-American women died from the disease each year compared to just 27 out of every 10,000 the Caucasian women from 1989 to 1992, but the rate also rose by 2% for the African-American women during the same period."
An examination of the relationships of three African couples in "So Long a Letter" by Mariama Ba, "The Collector of Treasures" by Bessie Head, and "A Meeting in the Dark" by Ngugi wa Thiong?o.
Abstract This paper discusses and analyzes the above short stories. It looks at the marital relationships of the couples in each of these three works. The writer's focus is on the issue of change and how it can alter a relationship. The paper analyzes each of the African couples and highlights how they are examples of changing African relationships. In conclusion the paper argues that these characters illustrate African culture in vivid detail and portray women as having no rights or rights to feelings. It argues that culturally these relationships seem unacceptable to our western standards and that African women are beginning to recognize this too and stand up for their rights.
From the Paper "Garesego and Dikeledi have a typical African relationship. The man has all the power and does whatever he pleases, even abuses his wife if he chooses. The wives have no power, and that is why so many of them end up in prison for killing their husbands, they have no other alternative in their unhappy and abusive lives. "To this day, women still suffered from all the calamities that befall an inferior form of human life" (Head 59). Garesego does not take responsibility for his family and his actions, and leaves Dikeledi with three children while he carouses and enjoys himself. Dikeledi admits she has never been happy in her life, and her marriage was no exception. Their relationship, and the contrasting relationship of her next-door neighbors, shows how culture clashes in modern Africa."
Abstract This paper discusses how the modern African American musical experience is rooted in ancient times. These roots go back to ancient Egypt and their conquests of the Nubians. The paper further discusses how the language of African tribes is tonal and one word might have several meanings in different tones. The talking drums of several countries mimic this quality of language. Despite the reputation of being a simply aural and oral musical tradition, African tribal music actually did have a complex local style of musical notation available to it.
From the Paper " The musical history of any region is important. African music has taken on an even greater significance due to its importance not only to its country of origin, but also due to its importance in the countries to which it spread. African American music has its roots in tribal cultures. It has lent its influence not only to African American popular culture, but to religion as well. Tribal Music The ancient history of African music is confused at best. It is undoubtedly conflated with the music of the Old Kingdom Egyptian music, when Egypt dominated and colonized the Nubians (Hester, 2005, p. 1). Hester comments that "surprisingly, the history of Egyptian music presents little evidence of the use of drums prior to 2000 B.C." (2005, p. 1). "
Abstract An overview of women educators in the Pan-African movement, covering the era of slavery in the U.S. until the 20th century, with comparisons of different approaches and theories of educating Africans.
From the Paper "With every conference that has been held or organization established, Pan-Africanists have espoused the ideals of Black nationhood, economic independence and self-knowledge in order to combat the subjugating values of American and European society. It is only right then, that some would attempt to carry out this task by traveling to Africa, with the purpose of imparting knowledge onto their African sisters and brothers."
Abstract Since the fifteenth century, when explorers first began to discover Africa's wealth of natural resources, European nations conquered and colonized African territories. The imperialists exploited resources while putting little back into the country in terms of industrial development, health and educational facilities, or stable political systems. Believing their ways superior and fearing cultures and religions they did not understand, they brought missionaries to spread Christianity and rescue Africans from traditional beliefs they considered ignorant and superstitious. As a result of European intervention, with Africans forced to accept Westernization, much of the native religion and culture has been lost forever.
Abstract This paper studies the painting "In an African Setting", by Aaron Douglas. As the paper explains, through the Public Works Act, African-American artist Aaron Douglas was commissioned by the Harlem Branch of the New York Public Library to compose works on African-American history. The paper studies the piece's form, technique and symbolic significance.
From the Paper "In this particular work, Douglas' use of sharp edges and repetitive designs was greatly influenced by African sculptures, jazz music, dance and geometric forms. "In An African Setting", was in fact part of a larger collection. The work was a four panel series that was used to communicate the distance that the African American had traveled, from freedom in Africa, to slavery in the United States, to the challenges of freedom after the Civil War. The first panel, and most famous, depicts an African man and woman dancing to the beat of drums."
Abstract This paper studies African-American women with HIV/AIDS, including qualitative research and a research methodology. The paper points out that African American women are affected disproportionately by the condition. The paper also attempts to understand how culturally based stigmas prevent many African American women from seeking treatment and support.
Abstract The paper discusses the lead author behind the work, Donald Wright. The paper explains that he began his interest in exploring the African American heritage as a youth. Wright contended that he spent much of his childhood fascinated by anything related to Africa and as a college student wanted to pursue these interests. Wright has remarked that he felt there was a need in the United States for people to realize the importance of Africa and African American people, because of the impact that these individuals have on the nation. Language, culture, tradition and the African American inclusion in the country has changed every aspect of society since the country began. Wright has worked as a researcher, instructor and first hand observer that has frequented the country of Africa and learned from the people he writes about.
