{"id":14392,"date":"2024-11-25T18:51:56","date_gmt":"2024-11-25T17:51:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aedic.eu\/?p=14392"},"modified":"2024-11-25T19:08:09","modified_gmt":"2024-11-25T18:08:09","slug":"stop-do-they-know-its-christmas-start-nuova-narrazione-per-un-futuro-di-sviluppo-sostenibile-in-africa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aedic.eu\/en\/invest-in-africa-en\/stop-do-they-know-its-christmas-start-new-narrative-for-a-future-of-sustainable-development-in-africa\/","title":{"rendered":"At Christmas STOP \"Do They Know It's Christmas?\" Start a new narrative for a sustainable development future in Africa"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Il_potenziale_dellAfrica_oltre_le_narrazioni_stereotipate_generate_dalla_canzone_%E2%80%9CDo_They_Know_Its_Christmas%E2%80%9D\"><\/span>The potential of Africa: beyond the stereotypical narratives generated by the song \"Do They Know It's Christmas?\"<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em><strong>'Christmas and Africa: a new narrative for a future of sustainable development'<\/strong><\/em><\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_68_1 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-white ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" >Index<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #1e73be;color:#1e73be\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #1e73be;color:#1e73be\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseprofile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/aedic.eu\/en\/invest-in-africa-en\/stop-do-they-know-its-christmas-start-new-narrative-for-a-future-of-sustainable-development-in-africa\/#Il_potenziale_dellAfrica_oltre_le_narrazioni_stereotipate_generate_dalla_canzone_%E2%80%9CDo_They_Know_Its_Christmas%E2%80%9D\" title=\"The potential of Africa: beyond the stereotypical narratives generated by the song &quot;Do They Know It&#039;s Christmas?&quot;\">The potential of Africa: beyond the stereotypical narratives generated by the song \"Do They Know It's Christmas?\"<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/aedic.eu\/en\/invest-in-africa-en\/stop-do-they-know-its-christmas-start-new-narrative-for-a-future-of-sustainable-development-in-africa\/#Africa_un_continente_ricco_di_opportunita_non_di_miseria\" title=\"Africa a continent of opportunity, not misery\">Africa a continent of opportunity, not misery<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/aedic.eu\/en\/invest-in-africa-en\/stop-do-they-know-its-christmas-start-new-narrative-for-a-future-of-sustainable-development-in-africa\/#Una_nuova_prospettiva_per_affrontare_le_sfide_globali\" title=\"A new perspective to face global challenges\">A new perspective to face global challenges<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/aedic.eu\/en\/invest-in-africa-en\/stop-do-they-know-its-christmas-start-new-narrative-for-a-future-of-sustainable-development-in-africa\/#Il_Natale_come_occasione_per_un_nuovo_inizio\" title=\"Christmas as an occasion for a new beginning\">Christmas as an occasion for a new beginning<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>With the Christmas holidays approaching,<\/strong> initiatives and solidarity campaigns aimed at Africa are back. However, many of these risk perpetuating<strong> stereotypical and harmful narratives,<\/strong> that portray the African continent as a place of misery and despair, ignoring its enormous potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Recently, British singer Ed Sheeran<\/strong> criticised his participation in a new version of the song <em><strong>Do They Know It's Christmas?<\/strong><\/em>emphasising how <strong>these initiatives<\/strong>although animated by good intentions, often <strong>contribute to spreading a reductive and debasing image of Africa.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>A reflection echoed in the words of Fuse ODG, an artist of Ghanaian origin, <\/strong>which has repeatedly highlighted the urgency of overcoming these clich\u00e9s to promote a more authentic and respectful narrative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/aedic.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/fuse-ODG.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14397\" style=\"width:799px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/aedic.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/fuse-ODG.jpg 480w, https:\/\/aedic.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/fuse-ODG-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/aedic.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/fuse-ODG-16x12.jpg 16w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Africa_un_continente_ricco_di_opportunita_non_di_miseria\"><\/span><strong>Africa a continent of opportunity, not misery<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Africa is a continent with extraordinary potential. Rich in natural, cultural and human resources, it is today a growing market and a key resource for tackling global challenges such as climate change and technological innovation.<strong> However, pietistic and stereotypical narratives often discourage investment, tourism and strategic partnerships, hindering real and sustainable development.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Una_nuova_prospettiva_per_affrontare_le_sfide_globali\"><\/span><strong>A new perspective to face global challenges<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Instead of limiting themselves to temporary charitable initiatives, <strong>the West must engage in a constructive dialogue with Africa, <\/strong>by investing in infrastructure, education, renewable energy and advanced technology. Only an approach based on respect and cooperation can create the conditions to stem phenomena such as forced migration, offering local populations opportunities for growth and development in their homelands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Il_Natale_come_occasione_per_un_nuovo_inizio\"><\/span><strong>Christmas as an occasion for a new beginning<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"660\" height=\"368\" src=\"https:\/\/aedic.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/natale.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14400\" style=\"width:800px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/aedic.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/natale.jpg 660w, https:\/\/aedic.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/natale-300x167.jpg 300w, https:\/\/aedic.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/natale-18x10.jpg 18w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The Christmas season can and must become a time to rethink the relationship between the West and Africa. <strong>Overcoming the 'white saviour complex' and promoting genuine collaboration is key to building a fair and prosperous future for all.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Africa does not need salvation, but partners willing to believe in its potential. <strong>It is time to abandon 'poor Africa' narratives<\/strong> and to engage in sustainable development projects that valorise local resources and skills, transforming the continent into a global growth engine.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Africa's potential: beyond the stereotypical narratives generated by the song \"Do They Know It's Christmas?\" \"Christmas and Africa: a new narrative for a future of sustainable development\" As the holiday season approaches, initiatives and solidarity campaigns aimed at Africa return. However, many of these risk perpetuating ... <\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more-container\"><a title=\"At Christmas STOP &quot;Do They Know It&#039;s Christmas?&quot; Start a new narrative for a sustainable development future in Africa\" class=\"read-more button\" href=\"https:\/\/aedic.eu\/en\/invest-in-africa-en\/stop-do-they-know-its-christmas-start-new-narrative-for-a-future-of-sustainable-development-in-africa\/#more-14392\" aria-label=\"More on A Christmas STOP &quot;Do They Know It&#039;s Christmas?&quot; Start a new narrative for a sustainable development future in Africa\">Read more<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":14394,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_generate-full-width-content":"","iawp_total_views":91,"footnotes":""},"categories":[430],"tags":[519],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/aedic.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14392"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/aedic.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/aedic.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aedic.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aedic.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14392"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/aedic.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14392\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14405,"href":"https:\/\/aedic.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14392\/revisions\/14405"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aedic.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14394"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/aedic.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14392"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aedic.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14392"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aedic.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14392"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}