Amadou Diaw: ethics, exemplarity, and education
Amadou Diaw, a philanthropic entrepreneur deeply committed to promoting education and African cultures, advocates for increased engagement of African elites in addressing the challenges of inclusion, sustainable development, peace, and demography in Africa.
By Amadou Diaw*
So many challenges have emerged in Africa since the beginning of this century—challenges of inclusion, sustainable development, peace, and demography.
Let us be mindful of the future threats that will undoubtedly loom over the world in general and Africa in particular.
A mobilization against ignorance is imperative. It is the fight of our lives. Yet, we cannot wage it without cultivating a love for our continent.
From this perspective, elites—political, intellectual, and religious—also have the responsibility to contribute to pushing back the boundaries of ignorance. Are they succeeding? Not really. We must go further and acknowledge that elites are not just part of the problem in Africa; they have become THE problem, notably due to their concrete lack of love for Africa.
The greatness of peoples and nations is also measured by the will and determination of their elites, especially political, to engage in defending their country, their homeland.
« This requires the promotion of strong ETHICS, a high standard of civic sense, selflessness through EXEMPLARY BEHAVIOR, and an EDUCATION in citizenship. »
A significant effort must be made with these elites so that they manifest in their everyday actions their commitment to the fulfillment and radiance of Africa. This involves promoting strong ETHICS, a high standard of civic sense, selflessness through EXEMPLARY BEHAVIOR, and an EDUCATION in citizenship, enhancing both the individual and the community. This is all the more beneficial as it nurtures a sense of belonging contributing to a better respect for both humans and the environment intertwined in a common destiny on our blue planet.
This makes sense. Let us remember how a pandemic has definitively laid bare our common fragility in a world that we ceaselessly mistreat.
This leads us toward a world where everyone plays their part, a world where Africa does not have the meager share. It prompts us to envision the country we want for ourselves, our children, and our distant descendants.
*Founder of Senegal’s first private business school, the Institut supérieur de management, Amadou Diaw created the Forum de Saint Louis, through which he invites his peers to promote African cultures, including through entrepreneurship and investment.
