Ok so, working in a developing country, i meet lots of foreigners also working here on international development and cooperation projects. I have been having lots of conversation. No matter what, i seem to have no other way to end a conversation than to ask 'What do you mean by 'development'? Thats the thing, it is such a basic issue that not enough people question themselves about.

Lots of what i see being done in the African 'development' world is totally based on the assumption and idea that the western-style development is the model to follow. How crazy is that? This is not my personal conclusion, its a fact, locals and foreigners share this objective.

Well, i don't agree. Lots think that colonization was the initial milestone marking the beginning of the development of the African continent. Africa, and it is proven, is the motherland of the human race on this planet. It has gone though a very impressive and respectful development. They had developped in a very unique way. It is only when the whites came in that things quickly turned sour. How many societies on this planet has developed and fought for such a sustainable development? They have, as a society, the longest history and, at the same time, they have had the least impact on their environment.

Look at the western civilisation closely. Not only is it NOT possible for African nations to reach it, it would also be the worst thing that could happen to all of us. For 20% of the population to consume like westerners, lots (the rest, 80%) have to be kept in poverty to keep the balance and 'eat' the crumbs. Its just a very basic capitalist rule.

Africa, in a sense, is the lucky one. It is the only civilisation that has not been able to reach that westerner's point of no-return. It is too late for most westerner's societies to change their lifestyles especially knowing the fact that humans don't modify their societal habits until their own lives are at stake. No matter what, something's gonna blow, its inevitable, we are consuming more than any other vital system is capable of coping with. Africa can analyse us, our development, lifestyle, technology and decide on what should be kept and what should be left out. Technology for example, is something that can easily be acquired and adapted to the African reality and used to leverage its peoples lifestyles. Other things like mass consumption, individualism, globalization, capitalism etc... things that are bad in every way imaginable, can be left out.

I think all they need is to realize that they will NEVER attain a similar development as the western world, and that they are lucky to still have the roots of a sustainable and respectful society.

For me, 'development' is the action of advancing as a society, fulfilling the nation's basic needs, developing new sustainable technologies... being at one and respecting our environment.

*The futur will be green, or not at all. This truth lies at the heart of human kind's most pressing challenge: to learn to live in harmony with the Earth on a genuinely sustainable basis*

-Sir Jonathan Porrit

What is your definition of 'development'?