African Studies and the Education of the Public

Extract

If anyone asks us why we believe more citizens of Britain should have their awareness of Africa increased, what do we answer? Or do we simply say that African Studies is a good intellectual discipline, with no more immediate practical relevance than Latin or Astronomy?

My own belief is that we need a rationale if we are to move into greater activity in the dissemination of knowledge about Africa among the community, and that there are valid rationales to hand. For one, Britain has important economic relationships with various parts of the African continent (Nigeria now being a major trading partner of this country, for instance). For another, even if we don't see Brandt as a full or satisfactory statement, its analysis does underline the complex inter-relationship between us and the Third World. For a third, “what do tney know of England who only England know?” - i.e. it's necessary to understand other cultures in order to become conscious of one's own. For a fourth, the study of Africa is exciting in itself.