Graça Machel advocates economic growth that benefits the poor

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Graça Machel advocates economic growth that benefits the poor

9:25 CAT | 03 Dec 2015

Lusa Moçambique / Graça Machel speaking at Mozefo yesterday. Sitting next to the social activist who was the former First Lady and Minister of Education of Mozambique and South Africa is the Portuguese presidential candidate Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.

The president of the Mozambican Foundation for Community Development (FDC), Graça Machel, argued yesterday that economic development should be reflected in people’s lives, especially in those of the most vulnerable, and stressed the importance of the state being close to communities.

“Economic development must be reflected in the human development of people, children, women, young and old,” Machel argued, speaking on the theme “The future is now. Humanizing growth” at the 1st Mozefo Forum, sponsored by the largest Mozambican private media group, Soico.

For economic growth to reach those most in need, the social activist and former minister of education said, a social pact is needed, in which all of the entities involved in combating poverty assume clear responsibilities.

“It is necessary that each of the agents of development present proposals on how to solve the most pressing challenges facing society, including the trade unions, who are often absent from the debate,” Machel said.

In Machel’s opinion, civil society organizations must work within a framework that works against the major social evils and presses for the results to be felt at the lowest level.

Speaking at the forum, former head of state of South Africa Thabo Mbeki warned against the risk of promising statistics on business development masking the lack of inclusion, and underlined the need for strong institutions and good leadership in combating inequality.

“Statistics mask things. I think it is important that economic growth reaches the places where the poor are, in the villages and communities. It is important that development policies encourage the use of production factors accessible to the poor,” Mbeki said.

For the former South African president, governments must take a central role in defining a development model that promotes inclusive economic growth.

“The capacity of institutions is crucial for inclusive growth, because when they are fragile, corruption and bribery occur,” said Thabo Mbeki.

For former Mozambique head of state Joaquim Chissano, inclusive growth depends on promoting the participation of society in elaborating development policies, arguing that “only those who participate may be included”.

“Everyone has to seek the solution to problems. One of the battles is the definition of a common goal. Inclusion requires participation and being the recipient of the results of participation”, said Chissano.

The former Mozambique head of state spoke in favour of a culture of interaction and social dialogue, pointing out that confidence is key to tolerance.

Source: Lusa Moçambique