Democracy and Civil Society in Africa

Africa at the start of the 21st century does not present a uniform image. For pessimists, Africa remains the «lost continent» – a point of view that seems justified in light of negative reports on poverty, corruption, or persistent conflicts. Others however point out positive developments that give cause for hope that, at least in some countries, the population’s quality of life has improved for good. Free elections have forced corrupt elites to abdicate and new approaches to overcoming economic crises have found their way into public policy.

In Africa’s newly democratized countries, churches, trade unions, journalists’ associations, or women’s organizations act as an important corrective to government power. The Heinrich Böll Foundation helps civil society organizations to mobilize the public through knowledge transfer, campaigns, and communication.