Group of Eight - Aid in Africa: Party Over

The campaigns have begun with the approach of the Italian G8 summit in July. Africa focussed charities such as Oxfam, Save the Children and One are kicking into gear with press releases and advocacy drives. News articles are starting to appear lifting and downplaying expectations by turns. Aid targets pop up in novel places – sports coverage and art exhibitions – to get the message out. Given the experience ahead of the recent G20 summit in London, these campaigns promise to be even more professional than usual. But is this the right approach? Africa may now be able to help itself quite differently.