Did you know that:

• Africa is the world’s second continent in terms of size and population
  
• 18 of the 20 poorest nations in the world are in Africa
  
• The EU is the biggest provider of development aid to Africa
  
• The EU is Africa’s most important trading partner
  
• EU Aid to Africa will increase by two-thirds from approx. 17 billion € in 2003 to a total of approx. 25 billion €/year in 2010.

This pedagogical guide aims to highlight some of the main issues the EU and other development partners address in Africa. It proposes some lessons and methodologies and highlights the Development Youth Prize’s themes of Climate Change, Water and Energy and Sustainable Tourism.

Organising the lessons
Before starting the art work pupils need to get as much information on the chosen theme(s) to really understand the challenges, and what is being done about them. The issues can be quite complex, but a thorough understanding is necessary to be able to create a suitable message.
• Collect information on the theme and discuss them in class. What are the most important issues for your pupils?
• Think of the various factors that cause the problems. Where do the vicious circles begin?
• Think of the work to improve the situation in Africa. What can organisations and individuals in Europe do to help?
• If you make your own suggestions, think of the possible side-effects.

Planning your entry
Aim to create an artwork that is simple, smart and synchronised with its message. Here are some key questions and issues.
• What exactly do you want to highlight? Try to keep a strong focus and avoid being too overambitious.
• How do you arrange the graphical elements? 
• Do you opt for symbolic images or a more literal meaning?
• Raise awareness. What does someone gain from seeing your entry?
• The message must be very short. Make sure it’s clear and fits well with the graphical part of your entry.
• Be positive. Aim to highlight not only the challenges but how they are addressed, and the progress that is being made.
• Try to be original. How does your entry stand out?

Climate Change
• Climate change is a global problem that requires urgent measures. We cannot afford not to react – otherwise it will have serious global safety implications.
• Climate change is mainly the effect of global warming, which means an increase of the average temperature of the air and the oceans on Earth caused by human influence.
• Not being the main polluter itself, Africa is highly affected by climate change. Global warming intensifies extreme weather conditions. It causes desertification in several African regions and floods at other places. Extreme weather conditions affect agricultural yields and increase the ranges of serious diseases.

Water and Energy
• Access to fresh water is an essential requirement for sustainable living conditions for the people in Africa. Clean water is a precious, but unfortunately also a finite resource. Lack of water does not only affect the environment but also directly the health and life of people. In Africa many countries face the problem of a rapid growth of their population and of urbanization. Lifestyles change rapidly and require adapted measures to have equal access to safe water resources.
• In 2002 the EU launched the European Water Initiative (EUWI) at the Johannesburg Summit to contribute to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. National water plans shall help to provide adequate and equal access to safe water resources.
At the same occasion the EU launched the European Energy initiative (EUEI). Energy plays an essential role in the eradication of extreme poverty. Africa has the lowest energy access rate in the world in relation to its population. Until now many people in Africa still have to rely on traditional biomass such as wood, agricultural residues and dung for cooking and heating. A change to modern energy services is necessary not only for economical growth. Homes, schools and hospitals need energy to make life easier and safer for everybody.

Sustainable Tourism
• International tourism is continuously increasing and it has already become one of the world’s largest industries.
• The term “sustainable tourism” in general implies the idea of responsible tourism, assuming that travelers respect and conserve the environment, the economy and the special socio-cultural features of the places they travel to and to keep their balance.
Sustainable tourism has a major importance for Africa. Traveling to poorer countries is in general cheaper for the traveler and for the targeted country it can help to its economic growth. Local businesses can profit from tourists by selling their products to them, for example.
• Yet, the effects of tourism need to be carefully and realistically considered in advance to avoid severe harm for African countries, their culture and traditions and their people.

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