University of Toronto professors say next month’s G8 meeting in Alberta will set the pace of Africa’s development for years to come.

Leaders from the Group of Eight (G8)—an association of the world’s seven richest nations plus Russia—will be meeting June 26-28 in Kananaskis, Alberta to discuss strengthening global economic growth, promoting African development and combating terrorism.

The Canadian government has turned its attention to Africa because of the continent’s declining standard of living—a decline due in large part to the ravages of AIDS and warfare.

Created by Africa’s democratic nations, the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) is an attempt to increase standards of living by increasing economic growth, improving the efficiency and democracy of African governments and preserving the environment.

African leaders insist they will be held accountable to the plan’s principles, in exchange for development assistance, debt reduction and market access from the world’s wealthiest countries.

“It’s all or nothing here and the whole world is watching. This is Africa’s last chance to make compromises and a get a deal down, and if they don’t pull it off everyone in the democratic world will turn their backs,” said Professor John Kirton, director of the G8 Research Group at the University of Toronto.

“Africa needs to start redirecting funds back to Africa. If they start doing this, then other investors would start to gain confidence in them and reciprocate this initiative. Right now Africans don’t trust their governments. Civil monitoring needs to be implemented in order for Africa to be further developed.” said Kirton.

“The key to progress in Africa lies first and foremost with Africans themselves,” said Michael O’Shaughnessy, a media representative for the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.

Since this will be the G8’s first meeting after September 11, the meeting is only 30 hours long due to security concerns. The delegates will need to come to decisions fairly quickly if the meeting is to be successful.

Visit the U of T’s G8 research group at www.g7.utoronto.ca