Maravi

IMF, World Bank policies have brought poverty - KK

IMF, World Bank policies have brought poverty - KK
By Brighton Phiri
Saturday September 15, 2007 [04:01]

THE International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank are still imposing unpalatable prescriptions for poor countries' economic recovery and development, Dr Kenneth Kaunda has said. Speaking during the commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the late Steve Biko at South Africa's University of Cape Town, Dr Kaunda said IMF and World Bank economic prescriptions imposed on poor countries had brought about high poverty levels and underdevelopment.

"We live in an interdependent world. But a world in which countries are at different levels of development; a world in which the powerful are at an advantage; a world in which competing national interests particularly of the powerful countries are safeguarded," Dr Kaunda said.

"In such a system, development for the poor countries is not easy to attain. This situation requires the intervention of those who care for humanity; intervention of the faithful who are selfless; intervention of the faithful with deep convictions for a fair world order.

Indeed, intervention of those who are guided by principles embedded in spirituality."
Dr Kaunda said development could not be limited to material wealth only because it included education, healthcare, food security, enlightenment and spiritual fulfillment among other issues.

Dr Kaunda said Biko's legacy was about freedom, liberty, human rights, peace, international co-operation and understanding at global level.

"These are values that are based on faith and traditions," he said.
Dr Kaunda described Biko as a young dedicated revolutionary with deep convictions about fairness and social justice.

According to Dr Kaunda, Biko was brutally assassinated by South African anti-apartheid on September 12, 1977.

Biko, who was a militant charismatic leader of the Black Consciousness of Azania (BCMA), was arrested by the South African police under Section 6 of the Terrorism Act.
He was later murdered by the apartheid security forces who had been detaining him without trial since August 25, 1977 when he was arrested.

Labels: IMF, KENNETH KAUNDA

posted by MrK @ 3:43 AM