The State of East Africa Report 2007: Searching for the Soul of East Africa
This second State of East Africa Report 2007 delves beneath the statistical indicators to explore a profound theme: "Searching for the Soul of East Africa." Through seven essays punctuated by eighteen editorial cartoon images, the report reflects on a simple question: Who are we and what shapes us? The essayists, drawn from Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania and representing two generations, look at the identities and influences at work in East Africa. The collection of cartoons offers a pictorial commentary on the region which is at once irreverent and profound in its reflection on East Africans' self-image.
Unlike the first report, which presented a data-driven analysis of statistical indicators and trends, this second report transcends numbers and figures. It offers essays on regional identities, exploring religious, spiritual, and ethnic perspectives, while addressing the effects of urbanization and its challenges.
These essays delve into East Africans' cognitive paradigms, rooted in African languages, spirituality, and institutions, as well as how these paradigms have been influenced by Western worldviews. The report questions how the ongoing interaction between African and external ideas will shape the region's future. It also emphasizes how ethnicity and race have been manipulated by the wealthy to maintain their privileged status, calling for radical social democracy in East Africa that combats negative ethnicity and racism. Urbanization and development issues are examined, particularly in the context of growing cities, slum settlements, and population migration.
Additionally, the report presents comparative data, such as a statistical profile of Burundi, which recently joined the East African Community (EAC), and an assessment of the climate for foreign direct investment in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Rather than offering definitive answers, The State of East Africa Report 2007 aims to spark a broader discussion about the elusive nature of a community's soul.
The State of East Africa Report Series
As part of the East Africa Scenarios Project, the State of East Africa Report Series carries on the objective of providing new information, new insights and unlocking our collective imagination to contribute to an East Africa Community that is truly people centred.
The East African Scenarios Research Compendium contains 10 research papers unravelling the trends, patterns and driving forces in four thematic areas that were identified as being critical to understanding the region's future.
The East African Scenarios Stories provide narrative explorations of potential futures for the region, using insights from comprehensive research to help stakeholders anticipate and navigate emerging opportunities and challenges.
The State of East Africa Report 2006: Trends, Tensions and Contradictions - The Leadership Challenge
This first edition in the series The State of East Africa Report is a compilation and comparative analysis of facts and figures on Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda with the aim of informing the general public about the current status of the region and its potential future prospects.
The State of East Africa 2012 report builds on its 2006 predecessor by analyzing key social, economic, political, and environmental trends in the region, providing insightful data-driven comparisons across countries, and encouraging informed discussion on the region's future integration and development.
The State of East Africa 2013, as a follow-up to the State of East Africa 2012 and part of the State of East Africa report series, seeks to examine the trends that have taken place in the context of inequality and equity across time in the region.
This eight edition in the series The State of East Africa Report provides a comprehensive analysis of inequalities in the region, exploring the political economy, ethical foundations, and intergenerational impacts, supported by data and expert insights to propose policy solutions for equitable regional development.