The partnership between India-Japan-Africa can usher in a new era of global development, experts concurred on Wednesday in early morning discussions at the Global Partnership Summit.
“India-Japan-Africa Global partnership (IJAGP) promotes people to people partnership besides a sustainable and empowerment based social-economic global framework. One has to work towards a common objective of establishing an alternative development model framework,” said Vibhav Kant Upadhyay, founder, chairman, global partnership summit.
Upadhyay added that India and Japan already have a strong and vibrant development framework based on non-bilateral cooperation. “Going forward, we look to the African nations to create a geo-political partnership for an equitable global order,” he said.
Bilali Camara, Country Director, UNAIDS India said for the benefit of humanity, the partnership between the three has to continue. “Healthcare is very important and with our continued partnership, we can eliminate AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria from both Africa and India,” he said
We have to go behind best medical care, it has to be sharing of best knowledge, best advise which has to be given to people so that they can protect themselves, Camara said.
Africa is set for a leap in next decade with upward moving socio economic indicators and there is untapped potential for shared growth and peaceful development. Africa has a strong desire for assuring sustainable future for its people.
“IJAGP’s growth model is based on the principles of alternative development model of empowerment and not on the existing model of exploitation,” Upadhyay added.
There are many common factors between India-Africa relationship such as partners in freedom struggle, strong people to people contact, trade ties, traditional societies, young demography and close cultural ties.
The way forward would be to respect sovereignty of each African state, building partnerships or joint ventures between Indian Japanese African governments or companies and empowering local inhabitants.
Community development is the best model forward. Human rights are critical to this development and right to access healthcare is also very important, Camara said.
Doga Makiura, a Japanese social entrepreneur, who has an online education firm with presence in Indonesia, Phillipines, Mexico, is looking to tap into African market to train youth there. “Currently, we are looking at Nigeria, Ghana and West Africa to offer our online education services. We need human capital, there is dearth of skilled young people in Japan,” he said.
