05 December 2016
Economic instability,
social inequality, poverty and depletion of our natural capital (the base of
our survival) make it necessary to call into question the conventional
development paradigm based on the exploitation of nature, continuous production
and consumption, social exclusion and privatization of common resources. Last
year, the global human community agreed on the Sustainable Development Goals as
a vision for global progress in the coming decades. This framework urges
nations to find new paths towards successful societies, ways beyond the
narrowly defined economic growth narrative.
Africa now sits at
crossroads (in fact, it has for a while). We can carry on the current
trajectory of economic growth, widening the inequality gap and continue
destroying our life support system, losing our cultures, and increasing the
natural, social and spiritual divide. Or we can embark on a new development
trajectory. One that reflects the spirit of Africans thriving. To address
today's complex and interrelated challenges, Africa needs a strong movement of
progressive scholars and activists, development practitioners and
community leaders, policy makers and business people that are dedicated to
exploring, promoting and practicing alternative ways of achieving wellbeing for
all.
The WE-Africa Lab
(Wellbeing Economy Africa) is an opportunity to stimulate collective change for
a wellbeing-centred development model in Africa. A new economic approach that
should not only improve the lives of African people and the quality of our
ecosystems, but can also become the inspiration for the rest of the world,
especially at a time in which conventional approaches have glaringly failed
humanity and the planet.
Justine Braby has been invited to take part in this lab. Through dedicated
sessions focusing on personal transformation, collective action and strategic
thinking and through forward-looking orientation based on this skills,
experiences and initiatives already developed by the participants, the lab aims
to inspire leaders across the African continent to lead sustainable change
and generate ripple effects through society.
The
WE-Africa Lab was launched in
Cape Town last week, and will be combining three meetings in different African
cities, local inquiries and dialogues, and online exchanges in a one-year
process. The 28 participants of the WE-Africa Lab come from diverse backgrounds
and sectors, from 8 countries across Africa. They are academics, business
leaders, social innovators, policy makers, civil society activists, and others.
All of them are united in their passions for a commitment to the economic
transformation of the continent.
'Our aspirations
reflect our desire for shared prosperity and wellbeing, for unity and
integration, for a continent of free citizens and expanded horizons.' Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want