Catalogue description Records of the Commission for Africa

The Commission for Africa was created in 2004 in response to the deepening economic and social dilemma facing many of Africa's developing countries, and their relationship with the international community.

The majority of the 17 Commissioners were from Africa, and drawn from the civil, public and political sectors, although their contribution to the Commission was on a personal basis.

The Commission met for the first time in May 2004 and was asked to consider the following main objectives:

• To generate new ideas and action for a strong and prosperous Africa, using the 2005 British presidencies of the G8 and the European Union as a platform;
• To support the best of existing work on Africa, in particular the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) and the African Union, and help ensure this work achieves its goals;
• To help deliver implementation of existing international commitments towards Africa;
• To offer a fresh and positive perspective for Africa and its diverse culture in the 21st century, which challenges unfair perceptions and helps deliver changes; and
• To understand and help fulfil African aspirations for the future by listening to Africans.

The Commission completed its first Consultation Document on 11 November 2004, and its Final Report was published on 11 March 2005.

The recommendations contained in the report were then discussed at the G8 Conference held in Gleneagles, Scotland, on 6-8 July 2005. The Commission's collective work ended in July 2005.