“The Young Liberals of Southern Africa, and its partner organisations; the Organisation of African Liberal Youth and the International Federation of Liberal Youth; wish to express their concern at the slow pace of development and improvement in the socio-economic status of Southern Africa’s citizenry.
While noting with respect the various initiatives undertaken and underway, we believe that the prioritisation of sound market economic policies, based on the principles of free choice, opportunity and competition; together with the entrenchment of the rule of law, a culture of human rights, mutual respect and cultural tolerance for each and every person; will speed up the economic recovery from the ravages of colonialism; far faster than through any other means.
Further we believe that this cannot happen for as long as education is inaccessible and the freedoms of speech, expression and the media are suppressed. Challenges imposed by the pandemics of Malaria and HIV/AIDS can and will be overcome, but only if our social development imperatives are achieved for the benefit of all people. Together, we can and will build a better life for all.
We commit ourselves to working with the SADC to achieve the objective of eradicating poverty at both a policy and grassroots level; and call on all Young Southern Africans, all over the world; to play their part in this our most urgent endeavour.”
2nd November 2007, Young Liberals of Southern Africa
Avishkar Govender
eThekwini-Durban
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
SADC - AU