Introduction

The Second Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD II) will be held from October 19 to 21 in Tokyo, co-organized by the Government of Japan, the United Nations and the Global Coalition for Africa. The Conference will be attended by high-level representatives of African, Asian, European, and North American countries, and international organizations.

The purpose of TICAD II is to assist African countries in improving people's lives, and promoting peace and stability, through self-help of sub-Saharan countries (ownership), and in cooperation with countries outside the region (partnership). Discussions will stress priority issues such as human development through education and health, women's participation in society, agricultural development and private sector development. The Conference will adopt an "Agenda for Action".

In preparation for the discussions at TICAD II, the United Nations University and the African Economic Research Consortium (AERC) are organising a high-level open forum on African Development in the 21st Century. This will be held at the United Nations University Headquarters on 16 October 1998. In particular, the public forum will focus on the challenges of poverty reduction, of strengthening Africa's participation in the global economy and of revitalizing the state in Africa. The Forum will provide a rare opportunity for the public in Japan to hear directly from African policy makers and researchers.

Given the importance of TICAD II, The Daily Yomiuri has joined The United Nations University, and the African Economic Research Consortium to have this special feature on Africa. It contains five articles on some of the key development challenges facing Africa stemming from background papers for the UNU-AERC open forum. Ruth Kagia concentrates on the incredible diversity of the continent and the social challenges facing Africa. Tony Killick looks at the economic fundamentals in Africa and asks - Has Africa turned the corner? Haidari Amani highlights the main elements of a strategy for agricultural development. Julius Court focuses on the opportunities and challenges globalization poses for African countries. Finally, Thandika Mkandawire looks at the causes of, and ways to overcome the crisis of the state in Africa.

• The Challenges of Agricultural Development in Africa in the 21st Century
  - by Prof. H.K.R. Amani, special to The Daily Yomiuri Tokyo, Friday, 16 October 1998

• Globalization and Africa
  - by Julius Court, special to The Daily Yomiuri Tokyo, Friday, 16 October 1998

• Social Challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa
  - by Ruth Kagia, The World Bank, special to The Daily Yomiuri Tokyo, Friday, 16 October 1998

• Have Africa's Economies Turned the Corner?
  - by Tony Killick, special to The Daily Yomiuri Tokyo, Friday, 16 October 1998

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