Rudy M. Bropleh

1
Empowering Approaches toward Sustainable
Development in Africa

• Rudy M. Bropleh
• Adjunct Professor (Economics), Shepherd
  University
• Lead Pastor, Asbury Church, Shepherdstown, WV
• The Africa Forum Challenges and Hope
• Shepherd University
• March 29, 2008

2
Breaking Down the Key Concepts

• Empowering To invest with power, especially
  legal power or official authority (American
  Heritage Dictionary).
• To equip or supply with an ability enable
  "Computers ... empower students to become
  intellectual explorers" (Edward B. Fiske).
• Sustainable Development is meeting today's needs
  of development without compromising future
  generations' ability to develop
  (http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sustainable_developm
  ent).
• Creating and/or improving people and
  possibilities over a long period of time.

3
Tips for the OUTSIDER (Foreign Investor)

• Principle of Reciprocity
• Invest beyond your plant (community investment)
• Education Healthcare are priority investments
  in almost every African country.
• a) healthy community productive labor
  force
• b) If education is expensive, then ignorance is
  unaffordable.
• The Business Backlash

4
Hints for the INSIDER (Africans)

• Small Business is the bedrock of most economies.
• Businesses are not charities they are for
  profit entities that can do charitable things.
• Invite and Involve local views voices when
  establishing business ventures.
• The Firestone Fiasco Liberia
• The Niger Delta Dilemma Nigeria

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Hints for the INSIDER (Africans)contd.

• Local authority and autonomy are necessary to
  ensure responsible investing.
• Taylors Pepper Bush problem Liberia
• Constant monitoring of business is needed and
  its best done by local authorities/people.

6
Sustainability How can we ensure that?

• Investments must be fair and balanced.
• Involve locals in the negotiating, monitoring,
  and evaluating phases of every investment
  initiative (for foreign indigenous investors)
• Education and balanced public relations are
  crucial. Keep folks aware by presenting your side
  of the storybeing proactive and not merely
  reactive.
• Current and future investments should prioritize
  private sector expansion.
• a) The multiplier effect

7
Danger of the DOWN STREAM mentality

• Where would you rather beUp Stream or Down
  Stream?

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And So What?

• Take Action!
• Get involved employing an approach that is both
  empowering sustainable.
• Have expectations for a healthy return on your
  investment.
• Be considerate, compassionate, and creative.
• Insist on community involvement (from the onset)
  with your local investment.
• Get a grip of the GOLDEN RULE.

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Educational ExitRemember these things
10
Bottom Line Basics (for positive involvement
with people)

• Look
• Listen
• Learn
• Take Action using effective strategies and best
  practices. Find Cure for Cobwebs

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The End

• ???
• Contact rbropleh_at_shepherd.edu