Why China-Africa civic engagements need to be encouraged

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Editor's note: Edward Kusewa is an economist at St Paul University. The article reflects the author's opinion, and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

In the context of mutual cooperation and development, it has become incumbent to strengthen fundamental human rights and justify the actions of the government.

Whether dialogue prevails or civic engagements are encouraged, it is necessary to create an ecosystem that encourages better collaboration between the government and people, and pushes for reforms.

We can use the power of civil organizations to make China-Africa development more inclusive by building a civic engagement platform that shapes emerging leaders, develops awareness and nurtures critical and political acumen.

Beijing streets have been decorated to fit the theme of the 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation./VCG Photo

It is imperative that bilateral arrangements go a long way in maintaining much needed social order that brings perpetual development.

For bilateral comprehensive development to be effective, youths, adults and local organizations must begin to appreciate the role played in achieving their civil rights, liberties and responsibilities.

Not only do civic engagements promote cultural shifts, they also advocate that communities begin by assessing their specific needs and develop progressive strategies together to meet these needs and explore their struggles.

In the dominant industry that involves development aid, with its plethora of community initiatives including funding, collaboration with stakeholders is essential for a problem-solving approach.

The 5th China-Africa Folk Forum takes place in southwest China's Chengdu City, July 23, 2018. /VCG Photo

Promoting interactive engagements among people, organizations and governments requires a more explicit participatory process that provides monitoring, assessments and reflects on development.

This helps to assess progress during and after interventions, where the impact is yet to be achieved. Having meaningful, policy-oriented civil engagements results in well-executed and planned initiatives that catapult social change for an inclusive process, no matter the prevailing conditions.

Beijing streets have been decorated to fit the theme of the 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation./VCG Photo

Collaborative action tends to encourage social change and promote civic engagement better. As a result, people and organizations thrive and are prepared to speak out and mobilize their communities to resolve society's most pressing needs.

Their effort gives voice to the vulnerable and thus engages governments more effectively. This intricacy of social transformation requires involvement, not only because people have the right to be at the center of their own change process, but also for their substantial critical inputs.

Increased mediation processes are essential if communities in local set-ups can determine social harmony, social justice and community-government relations.

Mutual engagement and learning are key ingredients for development partners and civil organizations to create broader incentive setups to encourage the learning process.

Civic engagement rests on the premise that donors need to fund interventions, to bring much needed social and economic development. This was a very detrimental concept, as it lacked basic insights on what was desirable.

It omitted some essential aspects of encouraging social cohesion between different stakeholders.

The 5th China-Africa Folk Forum takes place in southwest China's Chengdu City, July 23, 2018. /VCG Photo

Bilateral relations between China and Africa are meant to explore social transformation and how this transformation happens for the mutual benefit and how this plays in different contexts, arenas, sectors and groups of people.

But this social transformation must be fully aware of what is present, and how its manifestation can maintain the situation in which it functions.

In most cases involving existing conflicts, it is assumed that civic engagement must be introduced to reduce barriers and open up space for social interactions including citizens' potential and the sustainability of themselves.

Avenues for mutual engagement exist and these avenues should be executed very thoughtfully with different stakeholders.

A case in point is the justifiable anger from unfairness, which is cultivated within a community, being turned into a starting point for dynamism and resourcefulness.

Developing China-Africa relations not only help diffuse tensions due to political polarization, but also assist in creating engagements that lead to sustained reforms for mutual progress. Hence civic engagements create a favorable climate for development.