Seminar: Resource extractivism as a development model: Recent experiences in North Africe and other parts of the world
smee.bruce, flickr (CC-by-nc-nd)
AR : استخراج الموارد كنمودج للتنمية: تجارب حديثة بافريقيا الشمالية و و في انحاء العالم
FR: Extractivisme des resources comme modéle de développement: Expériences récentes en Afrique du nord et ailleurs dans le monde
EN: Resource extractivism as a development model: Recent experiences in North Africa and other parts of the world
ES: Extracción de recursos como modelo de desarrollo: Experiencias recientes en el norte de África y otras partes del mundo
Jour : 29
Slot : 1
Salle : SE4B
Jour : 29
Slot : 2
Salle : P19
Traditionally, for most African countries the exploitation of mineral, fossil or agrarian resources and their selling at the world market has been the basis for their economies and a clientelistic state and class structure. In recent years and given the announced scarcity of certain resources, high demand and prices resources gain more attention. China is getting involved in African countries, the European Union formulates and fosters respective strategies. Beside agricultural products and minerals, energy resources are important: gas, oil and uranium, water power and solar energy gains importance. Moreover, agricultural products for energy (agrofuels) gain importance.
In this transnational exchange of experiences we want to discuss recent developments in North Africa, other parts of this continent, Latin America and Europe. Why is resource extractivism, despite its negative ecological impacts and very selective contribution to ‘development’, so welcomed by governments, economic elites and even a large share of people? What are the claims from social movements and NGOs to stop brutal forms of extractivism, to promote social and environmental standards of resource extraction or even to stop it? Which role do the European Union and transnational corporations play in the development model of resource extractivism? What are experiences of resistance in African countries and other parts of the world, especially Latin America?
With Brian Ashley (One Million Climate Jobs, South Africa), Ana Esther Cecena (Geopolitical Observatory in Latin America, Mexico), Edgardo Lander (National University of Caracas and Transnational Institute, Venezuela), Haris Konstantatos (Syriza, Greece), Ulrich Brand (Fellow at Rosa Luxemburg Foundation and University of Vienna) and participants from North Africa and Tanzania
