To: Members of the International Sociological Association Invitation to join the Research and Discussion Group of Democracy and Development in Africa Quebec-Canada-Africa Axis is a research group that seeks to establish a link between the North and South and increase the ability of the African continent to become economically independent. It has the pleasure of announcing the continuation of research and a discussion group on the problems concerning the development and democratization in Africa. This field of interest is relatively large and embraces a large number of multidisciplinary studies. Notably law, social sciences, communications. Here are a number of questions that it be focussing upon: - How can the West promote democracy (civil societies and African populations themselves) in Africa and establish and reinforce the rights of the state? Most importantly to guarantee fair voting practices? - What new solutions can we propose for resolving the problem of the debt and inequality of economic exchange? How can a developing nation sell their primary resources at normal prices for exportation? - In default, what can we do to limit the consequences of these inequitable practices? - How can we understand the contradictions between what is said by westerners (democracy, human rights, etc.)and what is done (tolerating dictatorships) in Africa? How can we realise a stronger collaboration between social organisations and inter-city partnerships in Africa and the West? The group will be addressing everyone who wants to exchange experiences, analysis, and propositions. The people will need access to the Internet and will need to have the ability to converse in English or in French. We would like to have participants worldwide. If you are interested please e-mail a summary of your interests and how you would like to get involved to: Alphonse Cilumba President of Quebec-Canada-Africa Axis aqca@hotmail.com tel: 1-514-525-7481 +