POWER OF ACTION: It's Yes to Hope for a Better World

Posted by: Webmaster on January 09, 2009 12:29:56 PM Senator Obama's message of hope is not just for America's future; it is also a message of hope for the world. A world which is now in many respects fearful for its future', said Kevin Rudd, Australia's Prime Minister. With several days to the inauguration, the Agency for Cooperation and Research in Development (ACORD) would like to join in and congratulate President-elect Barack Obama on his historic victory.

 

In Kenya, and various countries in Africa, 6 November 2008 was decreed a national holiday to celebrate the victory of the new president whose father was Kenyan. 'We know as well the talent, the intelligence and the creativity that exists in this country. And we know how much this land is blessed, just as the entire African continent is blessed, with great gifts and riches', was the message of Obama during a public lecture at the University of Nairobi in 2006.

 

Through persistent social networking and inspiring local communities, Barack Obama was able to clinch the Democratic Party nomination ticket and go ahead to garner enough votes to win the presidential elections running against John McCain, in a historic victory that makes him, at 47, the fourth youngest president in American history.

 

Looking ahead, Obama faces enormous challenges when he takes up office on January 20, 2009. He will have to address huge expectations not only from Americans but from around the world. While his presidency will have to be judged on its own merits in due course, he has already inspired a whole world in so many ways:

 

1. Ordinary citizens are inspired to believe that their vote counts - their voice can make a difference, resulting in a record turn-out during the US elections. We can also cite the just concluded elections in Ghana which have been characterised by an opposition victory and therefore a peaceful political transition;

 

2. Obama's campaign has drawn attention to the lives of all those who suffer to get by and restored hope in the fact that with hard work they can change the future of their children, and has restored the faith in the American dream;

 

3. Having previously worked with community organisations in Chicago and knowing first hand the challenges involved, his speeches inspire communities to take action and work to create change at their level;

 

4. He values honesty and accountability between the political leadership and citizens and sees politics as a mission and not a business;

 

5. His strategy seeks to bridge out to politicians' ranks to collaborate and make compromises that best serve the population's interests. This was echoed by the speaker of the House in her message following his election and also in his acceptance speech where he refers to Democrats and Republicans.

 

The success of the president-elect has been mainly as a result of his consistent message of change and hope for all American citizens faced with financial crisis, oil supply shortages, and mortgage breakdowns. Besides his excellent oratory skills and an outstanding talent with words, Obama's message has attempted to echo the challenges that preoccupy minds of the American population, and as a result, he has received votes from across all socio-economic quarters.

 

The African continent continues to face critical climatic, socio-economic and political upheavals that cost millions of human lives annually, lead to incapacitation of people who could otherwise contribute meaningfully to development, and human displacement as vulnerable communities flee from areas that are affected by natural disasters and political conflicts, moving into areas with no infrastructure and filled with new risks and threats.

 

To overcome these, synergy, grassroots involvement and local support can clearly play a huge role in development as the African continent is blessed with an abundance of natural resources, strong community networks and favourable climatic conditions. Drawing lessons from the electoral process, African countries can learn that many of the challenges that the continent faces can be addressed with firm belief in individual and community capacities.

 

ACORD envisions a society where all citizens are equally able to achieve their rights and fulfill their responsibilities. We are facilitating social transformation from the community level and up across Africa by supporting community solidarity processes, strengthening the capacities of African Civil Society and their ability to hold their governments accountable.

 

The Time Magazine named Obama The Person of the Year 2008 for his ability to inspire and empower local communities. For this reason, ACORD would also like to recognise Obama's achievement. Let it be a source of hope and inspiration for African communities and Governments that change is possible in our lifetimes and social justice is not just a distant dream. Together we can make a difference !

 

Click Here to read more about the changes resulting from ACORD's work to strengthen community capacities and mobilise a Pan African social movement across the continent.