Vietnam & Africa: Comparative Lessons and Mutual Opportunities

Vietnam & Africa: Comparative Lessons and Mutual Opportunities, was co-hosted by The Brenthurst Foundation and the Institute of African and Middle East Studies on March 30th 2007 in Hanoi, Vietnam. The conference brought together representatives from Africa and Vietnam to compare and draw lessons from each other’s experiences in development, as well as to explore opportunities for mutual co-operation between Africa and Vietnam. Today Africa is faced with the crises of poverty, hunger and the challenge of accelerating the economic growth rate. Vietnam on the other hand, has been able to deal with issues poverty and hunger. This can be attributed to commitment to appropriate policy and institutional reforms, efficient use of overseas development assistance, establishment of mutually beneficial trade and commercial relations and pro-poor objectives that associate economic growth with social equity. These are important ingredients that if applied, could stimulate economic and social development in Africa.

The conference papers are currently being edited with a view to being published. These will be available on the Brenthurst Foundation website shortly.