STUTTGART, Germany, Jun 5, 2009 — U.S. Africa Command kicked off its first command speaker series May 21, 2009 with a presentation by Kenya-native Calestous Juma, Harvard University professor of the practice of international development.

The command speaker program is part of a U.S. AFRICOM initiative to bring in top experts on a periodic basis to increase cultural awareness of Africa-related issues among staff with an emphasis on adding African voices to command discussions.

Juma's presentation on "Security and Development in a Turbulent World; Safeguarding Africa's Prosperity" focused on the linkage between security and development, as well as the role that emerging technologies can play in fostering economic growth within African nations.

"For most developing countries in the early stages of economic development, it is not easy to separate security and development," Juma explained. "By improving economic performance of countries, you also provide a basis for stability which contributes to security. And on the other hand, by supporting security, you also provide a basis upon which economic activities can take place."

According to Juma, the three critical areas for African development include infrastructure, safeguarding trade routes, and technology transformation. He noted that U.S. Africa Command plays a central role in its ability to contribute to each of these elements in the context of its mandates.

Juma expressed optimism for Africa's future, noting significant economic growth rates between 2001 and 2007. These rates, he said, are faster than the world average growth rates.

Comparing the democratization of Africa to that of Latin America, Juma stated that "what Africa did in a decade, it took Latin America about 40 years," adding that as democratic institutions mature over the next few years, there will be a significant reduction in political instability.

Juma also emphasized the importance of expanding Africa's infrastructure in terms of railways, airports, and roads. "Roads are extremely important because economies grow because of their abilities to move goods, services, and ideas. If you can't move any of those, there is little chance that an economy can actually grow," he said.

Technology through satellite connections brings about a new generation of communication abilities, said Juma, which have the potential to open up the continent quite significantly, both in terms of its ability to manage security issues and also the ability to transform economic growth.

Juma is a recognized authority in the application of science and technology to sustainable development, and is an influential senior advisor to various governments and international organizations. He serves as a professor and director of the science, technology, and globalization project at Harvard University.

The video of Professor Juma's presentation is posted on the USAFRICOM homepage in the multimedia section.

The complete transcript is available at http://www.africom.mil/getArticle.asp?art=3103.