ETHICAL FOUNDATIONS OF AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT

The course seeks to underline the connection between ethics and development in the African context. Whereas the tendency has been to consider only the economic, political and social issues, it argues that there are very important ethical issues underlying African development. On the one hand, the course presupposes that there is such a thing as ethical foundations for African development without considering outside influence. On the other hand, it shows the impact of the contact with the Arabs and the West to African development. Thus, some values in the African and religious heritage, which are to serve as the basis for authentic human development, will be examined. Some of these values include a holistic approach towards life, the importance attached to promoting and defending life in its personal and communitarian dimension, and the "relationship imperative" which goes hand in hand with removing all that hurts relationships and life.The course will also explain how the African ethical system promotes the use of resources to satisfy human needs, by making sure that wealth and possessions are shared. It will put emphasis on the fact that Africa is endowed with a lot of material and human riches which have often been mismanaged by Africans themselves and outsiders. The course will also demonstrate that Africa can extricate itself from all kinds of poverty only if it works to be self reliant, accepting assistance on its own terms