Analysis of The Questions Development Studies Attempt to Address in Developing Countries (zambia)

Introduction

Development means improvement in the social and economic conditions of a country. It also refers to improvements in the way an area’s natural and human resources are managed. It embraces the application of certain economic and technical measures to utilize available resources to instigate economic growth and improve the quality of people’s quality of lives.

One of the key aspects of development is the effective management of resources. This involves not only utilizing resources in a sustainable manner but also ensuring that they are used to generate maximum benefit for society. In this sense, development is not just about economic growth but also about promoting social equity and justice. This requires a balance between economic and social goals, which can only be achieved through a well-planned and coordinated development strategy.

Another important aspect of development is the role of technology. Technological innovation has played a critical role in driving economic growth and improving the quality of life in many countries. It has helped to increase productivity, reduce costs, and improve access to essential goods and services. However, technology also has its downsides, particularly in terms of its impact on the environment and the potential for widening social and economic inequalities. Therefore, it is important to ensure that technology is developed and applied in a responsible and sustainable manner.

In addition, development also involves creating the necessary conditions for economic growth to occur. This requires a stable political environment, good governance, the rule of law, and a supportive institutional framework. It also requires investment in education and training, infrastructure, and research and development. These investments create the necessary foundations for economic growth to occur and provide opportunities for people to improve their standard of living.

Moreover, the concept of development has evolved over time, reflecting changing social and economic conditions. Early conceptions of development were focused on increasing economic output and achieving higher levels of industrialization. Today, development is viewed more holistically, encompassing economic, social, and environmental dimensions. It is seen as a process of sustainable and inclusive growth that benefits all members of society, particularly the most vulnerable and marginalized.

The concept of development

An appropriate mixture of domestic savings, international investment and international aid would provide the fuel to drive the process through stages of growth which would eventually develop the entire population.

When discussing development, it is important to consider the various perspectives that exist, as well as the different factors that contribute to the process. One key factor that has been identified is the need for an appropriate mixture of domestic savings, international investment, and international aid. By combining these three elements, it is believed that the fuel necessary to drive the process of development can be obtained, leading to growth and progress for the entire population.

However, it is important to note that different academics have interpreted the concept of development in different ways. While some view it as a finite process with limits, others see it as a potentially infinite concept of progress. For example, scholars such as Condorcet, Hegel, Kant, and Max have all conceived and interpreted development differently.

From an economic perspective, Schumpeter has used the term development to refer to unfolding, evolution, innovation, and revelation. This suggests that development is a dynamic process that involves continuous change and adaptation, rather than a static or finite state.

Similarly, Robert Chambers has defined rural development as a strategy to enable underprivileged rural men and women to fend for themselves and their children. In this context, development refers to all efforts designed to offer welfare programs, aids, and resources to ease poverty, transform rural areas, and provide basic needs to the poor to ensure their continuous survival and that of future generations.

Dudley Seers, on the other hand, argues that the level of unemployment, levels of inequality, and poverty levels are the three most important factors that can be used to define development. For Seers, all three of these must be at very low levels before a society can be considered developed. Any rise in one of these central challenges would thus prevent a society from being called developed.

Overall, the concept of development is a complex one that requires consideration of multiple factors and perspectives. While some may view it as a finite process with limits, others see it as an ongoing, dynamic process that involves continuous change and adaptation. Similarly, different scholars have emphasized the importance of different factors in defining development, such as poverty levels, inequality, and unemployment. By considering these different perspectives, it is possible to gain a more nuanced understanding of what development entails and how it can be achieved.

Questions that development studies and development economics attempt to address in developing countries (Zambia)

Development studies are an area of study that looks at inequality in the world and strives to find solutions to improve the lives of citizens in developing countries such as Zambia. Getting to grips with development studies requires delving in other disciplines such as economics, political science, psychology, sociology, history, geography, communication, anthropology, health sciences, resource and environmental science. It attempts to address pressing issues by studying cultural and political development. Through examining the past, present and the future, development studies finds cultural links between political and economic bodies and the lives of ordinary people. More significantly, to enact practical solutions designed to build reasonable societies.

Similarly, the questions that development studies attempts to address is regarding equal pay, while the strategy is to advance diversity and inclusiveness so that there is an opportunity to thrive regardless of age, gender or any other status.

• Macroeconomic Stability - this would involve a commitment to low inflation. Low inflation creates an environment where foreign investors have more confidence to invest in that country. On the other hand, high inflation can lead to devaluation of the currency and discourage foreign investment. In order to create a low inflationary framework, it would require:

1. Effective monetary policy, that is, central bank to control inflation through monetary policy.
2. Disciplined Fiscal policy by avoiding large budget deficits.

• Less restrictive regulation and tackling corruption - some developing countries such as Zambia are held back by over restrictive regulation, corruption and high costs of running businesses. To attract investment, it is necessary to remove these costs and create an environment which is conducive to business. Fighting corruption may not be easy, but it is one of the biggest constraints to economic development. Similarly, in the effort to diminish levels of regulation, it is vital that useful regulations such as protection of the environment aren’t cast-off in efforts to attract investment. If not, economic growth may come at the expense of sustainable development.
• Privatisation and De-regulation - a potential problem of privatisation is that it can aggravate inequality in society.
• Effective tax structure - correspondingly, one of the things economic development attempts to address is tax. If the government is incapable of collecting enough tax from the richest aspect of the economy like the production of natural resources, there will be little funds to finance necessary public sector investment in services with a high social benefit.

Vision 2030 for Zambia 

This is a long term standpoint plan which aims at achieving a thriving middle-income nation status by the year 2030. This will be realized by creating an enabling environment for sustainable socio-economic development. It is Zambia’s first ever written plan and it expresses the aspirations and plans of the Zambian people that ought to be accomplished. The vision 2030 plan is grounded on policy oriented research on key national strategic issues and on a process of discussion and dialogue.

Similarly, the vision sketches the necessary long term paths of the socio-economic pointers to satisfy the aspirations of the people in the country and it articulates possible alternative development scenarios at different points through the target year.

Since 1964, the government has equipped and implemented medium-term plans to encourage sustainable socio-economic development. Nevertheless, these plans were never anchored on a national vision. The lack of a vision contributed to the fragmented character of development efforts in the past.

The document starts with a statement of the vision and outlines of the challenges, goals and strategies.

By the year 2023, Zambians aspire to live in a strong dynamic middle-income industrial nation that delivers opportunities for refining the well being of all, embodying values of socio-economic justice, underpinned by the principles of gender, democracy, respect for human rights, good tradition and family values, positive attitude towards work, peaceful coexistence and private-public partnerships.

The nation ought to have an economy which is competitive, self-sustaining, dynamic and resilient to any shocks, supports stability and the safety of systems and is free from donor dependence. Furthermore, it should have stable social and cultural systems that support human capital development.

Vision 2030 enunciates long term plans for growth to achieve desirable socio-economic outcomes by 2030. The vision is operationalized over five-year national development plans, most recently the revised 6th national development plan (2013-2016), which was revised in 2013. The execution of vision 2030 mandates the involvement of the government, individuals, the private sector civil society, cooperating partners and other stakeholders.

Macroeconomic objectives indicated in budgets (2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021)

The macroeconomic framework for Zambia was established to focus on stimulating economic recovery and building resilience to protect livelihoods and protect the vulnerable groups and individuals. In the medium term, it would focus more on containing the spread of the corona virus, mitigating the effects of the pandemic and re-establishing macroeconomic stability as well as growth. Additionally, the biggest priority would be to move towards achieving fiscal fitness and restoring debt sustainability, dismantling domestic arrears and safeguarding social protection spending

Objectives for 2019-2021

In the medium term, the overall macroeconomic objective will be to accelerate implementation of reforms as outlined in the economic stabilization and growth programme and austerity measures announced by the president of the republic of Zambia.

Objectives for 2016

• Attain an annual real gross domestic growth rate of 5%
• Increase domestic revenue mobilisation to at least 20.4% of gross domestic product from 18.1% of gross domestic product projected in 2015
• Create employment opportunities through enhanced implementation of programmes such as the industrialisation and job creation plan and the youth empowerment action strategy
• Sustain international reserves at no less than 4 months of import cover
• Accelerate the diversification of the economy, mostly towards energy, agriculture, agro processing and tourism
• Decrease the budget deficit to 3.8% of gross domestic product from 6.9% of gross domestic product projected in 2015 and limit domestic borrowing to 1.2% of the gross domestic product
• Preserve single digit inflation with an end year target rate of no more than 7.7%

Objectives for 2017

• Realise real gross domestic product growth of at least 3.4%
• Build up foreign exchange reserves to at least 3 months of import cover by end of 2017
• Limit the complete discal deficit to no more than 7% of gross domestic product on a cash basis
• Attain domestic revenue mobilisation of at least 18% of gross domestic product
• Preserve domestic borrowing to no more than 2% of gross domestic product
• Accomplish end year inflation of not more than 9%

2018

• Uphold single digit inflation in the range of 6 -8% of gross domestic product
• Attain real gross domestic product growth of at least 5%
• Diminish the stock of arrears and limit the accumulation of new arrears
• Sustain international reserves of at least 3 months of import cover
• Achieve domestic revenue mobilisation of at least 17.7% of gross domestic product
• Limit the fiscal deficit on a cash basis to 6.1% of gross domestic product
• Accelerate execution of measures towards diversification of the economy
• Slow down the contraction of new debt to ensure new debt accountability

The objectives for the 2019-2021medium term are as follows:

• Accomplish an average annual gross domestic product growth rate for at least 1.8%. The economy was projected to grow by 1.8% in 2021 premised on the expected recovery in economic activity as the covid -19 pandemic subsides and the global economy rebounds.
• Minimize the pace of debt accrual and guarantee sustainability
• Fast-track the divergence of the economy backed by the implementation of structural reforms
• Withstand inflation within a range of 6-8%. Stakeholders submitted that inflation was projected to remain above the upper bound of 6-8% target range for the rest of 2020. Nonetheless, return to the 6-8% target range faster over the medium term on condition that there is an improved food supply, particularly maize.
• Increase domestic income to not less than 19% of gross domestic product by the year 2021
• Increase international reserves to at least 2.5 months of import cover. In order to attain the target of 2.5 months of import cover in the year 2021, a significant reduction in debt service payments and an improvement in external financial flows such as project or donor flows would be of paramount importance.
• Lessen the fiscal deficit to not more than 5% of gross domestic product by the year 2021. The timing and size of debt service was not certain, given the unending liability management negotiations with the various creditors. Therefore, depreciation of the kwacha against the dollar would necessitate more external debt service expenditure pressures.

Seventh National Development Plan (7ndp) strategic areas or outcomes

The seventh national development plan is the blue print for the country’s development in the next five years. The government envisions a prosperous middle-income economy that offers decent employment opportunities for all Zambians of diverse skills and will be accomplished by harnessing opportunities for economic variation and development.

Enhanced decent job opportunities in the economy

The 7NDP will aim to enable both rural and urban businesses to enhance productivity and increase formalisation for their business with a view to enhance the creation of job opportunities in the economy. To ensure an enabling policy for the creation of jobs, the government will implement the national employment and labour market program. Other policies aimed at supporting the production links and improving partnerships and connectivity between rural and urban areas will be undertaken. This will be achieved by:

• Promoting industrialisation and job creation

The development of a global competitive business environment and a strong private sector through development is an area of focus. The private sector development includes designing and implementing policies to encourage inclusive growth or economic transformation through investment, productivity growth, employment and business development. The government will implement key alterations such as those dealing with business authorising and regulation, trade logistics and ease of doing business. Furthermore, the government is keen on prioritising the involvement of the private sector in implementation of the strategy through the enhancement of public-private dialogue and creation of collaborations aimed at the creation of jobs.

• Facilitate small and medium enterprise development

Initiatives will include promotion and extension of social security cover, occupational safety and health protection to the informal sector. This will also include the support of equality and empowerment initiatives for women, the disabled and the youth.

• Promote cooperatives development

The 7NDP will give emphasis to the use of cooperatives as a model to contribute to job creation. The government will promote governance of cooperatives and analyse the legal framework which supports cooperative development.

• Increase employment opportunities

The government will promote infrastructure in rural areas and this will increase employment opportunities

Improved transport system and infrastructure

A well-functioning transport system has the potential to diminish the overall cost of doing business in the country, thereby contributing to the accomplishment of a diversified and resilient economy for sustained development and socio-economic transformation. An improved transport system and infrastructure will enable efficiency in the movement of goods and people in the country. Further, as a land-linked country, with eight neighbouring countries, Zambia requires its transport infrastructure to be in a good state in order to link principal ports and serve as a core for goods in transit. The transport sector in Zambia consists mainly of four modes, namely, aviation, railways, maritime and roads. The government remains dedicated in delivering improved transport infrastructure within the four modes of transport in order to grow the economy and improve the socio-economic opportunities across the country. Investment in better transport systems and infrastructure will drive wider economic benefits including supporting growth and job creation, raising the productive capacity of the economy, driving efficiency and enhancing international competitiveness.

A diversified and export oriented agriculture sector

Agriculture is the fourth largest contributor to gross domestic product (8.7%) and the largest contributor to employment. This can be achieved by;

• Improving production and productivity

Production and productivity enhancement will be undertaken along the entire product value chain from farm to agro-processing and manufacturing at the sector and enterprise levels. The upsurge in production will be achieved through increased agricultural mechanisation, increasing the area under cultivation and number of farmers participating in production, driven by enhanced extension service delivery and increased private sector participation

• Improving access to finance for production and exports

This strategy will focus on increasing access to affordable finance for farmers and exports of high value agricultural products. Other interventions will include access to finance for supplementary services to production and exports. First priority will be placed on vulnerable groups such as women and the youth. Additionally, the strategy will focus on increasing capacities of established farmer groups to participate in export markets, while creating a favourable environment for large exporters of crops, fish, livestock and forestry products to increase export volumes.

• Enhancing agriculture value chains

Development in the sector value chains will include investment in production, agro-processing and marketing, inclusive of export market and distribution mechanisms. Value chain improvement will promote the participation of small and medium enterprises along different value chains. Priority will be placed on promotion of citizen participation in agri-business and connecting local to regional and international value chains. Furthermore, efforts will be made to strengthen market connections between primary production areas and processing centres for reduced costs to the final product, hence being competitive in the domestic and regional markets.

• Promote diversification within the agriculture sector

Focus will be on the agricultural diversification in crops, livestock, forestry and fisheries based on comparative and competitive advantage

• Promote small scale agriculture

Small scale agriculture has shown its capacity for driving economic and social change. Even if large scale managerial and corporate agriculture can ease the connection to downstream activities and agro industry and contribute to the response to the growing food demand, it is more likely to be capital intensive and therefore offer less prospects for job creation, and less sustainable in the long run due to the reliance on fossil fuels. Small scale agriculture has the potential to create jobs and improve the living conditions of rural communities with the provision that some key actions are implemented to improve the income, family status and right.

• Enhance investment in agricultural infrastructure

Investments in agricultural infrastructure will be prioritised to create a suitable environment for a vibrant agriculture sector. The aim is to enable the sector procedure, produce and market its various products in the domestic and foreign markets.

A diversified and export oriented mining sector

Zambia has a mining history that spans over 100 years and continues to play an active important role in the economic development of the country. The main mining activity is copper at large scale while the production, processing and export of other minerals are still underdeveloped. Under the Seventh National Development Plan, emphasis will be on expanding the range of minerals to cover non-traditional mining of gold, gemstones and industrial minerals as well as promotion of value addition to mining products and include energy and other strategies to increase productivity and reduce environmental pollution. The plan also focuses on formalising and empowering small scale miners to make them more productive so as to boost export revenue. This will be achieved by;

• Promoting exploitation of gemstones and industrial minerals

The focus will be on the increase of mining, exploration, processing and promoting the use of industrial minerals and gemstone products in order to increase the contribution of the expansion of other sectors. Additionally, emphasis will also be placed on boosting the capacities of small scale miners in order to increase production. The government is keen on ensuring that policy implementation and regulatory enforcement does not suppress exploration of new mineral deposits.

• Promoting local and foreign participation in mining value chains and industrialisation

This strategy is aimed at improving capacities to participate in mining value chains that have the uppermost potential to impact economic growth and reduction in poverty levels. Efforts will be made to facilitate mining based value addition and industrialisation by supporting the development of manufacturing industries to yield inputs for the sectors and to contribute to the growth of other sectors.

• Promote petroleum and gas exploration

This strategy will enable the establishment and capacity expansion of relevant institutions to monitor and regulate petroleum exploration.

• Promote small scale mining

Part of the diversification agenda within the mining sector will focus on building the productive capacity of small scale miners that are involved in the exploration of gemstones and industrial minerals.

A diversified tourism sector

Tourism is a vital service sector in Zambia. The country is blessed with rich natural heritage and other tourism attractions such as the gorges, waterfalls, rivers, lakes and wildlife. The sector faces challenges which include; lack of comprehensive national tourism plan and limited product offering to tourists. Under this plan the priority will be increasing the tourism industry beyond the traditional tourism sites and products plus promoting the integration of points that will make Zambia more competitive in the region. This will be achieved by;

• Promoting tourism related infrastructure

The improvement of arts and culture infrastructure will also be supported in order to improve the contribution of the country’s unique natural and cultural heritage to diversify the tourism product.

• Promoting tourism source market segmentation

The country will focus on enhancing the traditional source markets by increasing market entry and exploiting markets to expand the tourist base.

• Promoting domestic tourism

The strategy will focus on tapping into the untapped potential of domestic tourism as a way of contributing to the general diversification of the tourism sector and the economy

Improved energy production and distribution for sustainable development

Energy plays a big role in all sectors of the economy. In order to increase supply, there is a strong need to promote investment in nuclear, hydro, geothermal, wind and solar energy. Therefore, the following strategies will be undertaken;

• Enhance transmission, generation and the distribution of electricity

To heighten the supply of electricity for economic development, infrastructure development will be upheld. The strategy is to expand and enhance electricity generation as well as encourage the improvement of mini hydro power stations.

• Promote renewable and alternative energy

Efforts will be made to develop a comprehensive national energy strategy inclusive of a master plan for suitable options to charcoal and other household energy needs.

• Improve electricity access to rural and peri-urban

Under this plan, efforts will be made to promote rural electrification programmes and to increase accessibility to electricity at an affordable cost

• Enhance strategic reserves and supply of petroleum products

This will be done by encouraging the setting up of petroleum businesses in under developed areas through public-private partnerships

Improved access to regional, domestic and international markets

During the period of the 7NDP , the country will focus on the following strategies in the quest to improve trade and market entry at domestic and international levels;

• Improve trade facilitation

Efforts will be directed towards ensuring that all trade activities take place in a well-organized, predictable and transparent manner. Additionally, legal and regulatory modifications to support trade facilitation will be implemented.

• Safe access to export markets

The government will take part in negotiations at bilateral and multilateral levels to secure markets as well as address obstacles in market entry level.

• Develop and enhance the competitiveness of Zambian products

In order to enhance competitiveness in the domestic and foreign markets, efforts will be directed towards supporting producers and exporters as well as safeguarding the local industry from imports and biased trade practices.

• Stimulate international cooperation

Zambia will position herself to develop regional and international affairsto promote national interests such as the access to markets. This will be achieved by enhancing international cooperation.

Improved transport systems and infrastructure

A good functioning transport system has the potential to lessen the general cost of doing business in the country. An improved transport system will promote efficiency in the movement of goods and people within the country. This can be achieved by;

• The construction and rehabilitation of the railway system

The government will commence construction of the chipata to serenje railway line which will complete the link from the port of Nacala to the existing railway line. Additionally, government will promote private investments in order to construct other rail spurs.

• Rehabilitation of the road network

The construction and maintenance of the rod infrastructure will ensure safety in connectivity across the country. The government will continue to develop tolls and will continue to collect road user charges in order to finance its programs in the road sector

• Construction and rehabilitation of maritime and inland waterways

The expansion of the inland port of Mpulungu will aid in increasing access to the great lakes region markets. Furthermore, studies will be taken to determine the viability of developing the kafue river into a navigable channel for the transportation of bulk goods and touris

Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s)/ the UN agenda 2030

This agenda is a proposal of action for people, planet and prosperity. It seeks to strengthen peace in larger freedom. All stakeholders and countries that act in collaboration will implement this plan. They strive to build on the millennium development goals and complete tasks which were never completed. They seek to attain the human rights of all and to achieve gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. They are combined and balance all three dimensions of sustainable development, that is; the social, economic and environmental. The goals and targets will fuel action over the next fifteen years in areas of critical importance.

The UN agenda is a path towards sustainable development and commitment to collectively pursue global development to all countries. It reaffirms that every state has and shall freely exercise complete and permanent sovereignty over all its wealth, economic activities and natural resources.

It restates the importance of universal declaration of human rights as well as other instruments that relate to human rights and international law. Responsibilities of all the states is emphasized, in conformity with the charter of the United Nations, to respect, promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without any sort of discrimination based on race, sex, colour, religion, language, social origin, birth, property, disability or any other status.

It reaffirms the importance of gender equality and the empowerment of girls and women because this will make huge contribution to progress across all the targets and goals. When one half of humanity is continues to be denied its full human rights and opportunities, the achievement of full human potential and of sustainable development is impossible. It is of paramount importance for women and girls to enjoy equal access to education, political participation, economic resources and equal opportunities with boys and men for leadership, employment and decision making at all levels. The agenda seeks to work for a significant increase in investments to close the gender gap and to strengthen support for institutions that are related to gender equality and women empowerment at global, national and regional levels. All forms of discrimination against women will be eliminated.

The sustainable goals are as follows:

• End poverty: by the year 2030, eliminate extreme poverty for all people and ensure that all men and women, particularly the less privileged, have equal access to resources, basic services, ownership and control over land. Furthermore, to ensure that there is significant mobilization of resources from a variety of sources through a heightened development cooperation in order to provide enough and predictable means for developing countries.
• End hunger, attain food security and promote sustainable agriculture: the goal is to end hunger and to ensure access by all people, the poor in particular, to safe and sufficient food throughout the year. By 2030, increase the productivity of agriculture and the returns of small scale food producers, women in particular, through secure and equal access to resources, inputs, land, financial services, markets and opportunities for value addition. The goal is to ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production which help with the maintenance of ecosystems that strengthen capacity for the adaptation to climate change, drought, flooding and other factors that increasingly improve the quality of land and soil. Furthermore, adopt the measures to ensure the correct functioning of food commodity markets and derivatives and enable timely access to market information.
• Ensure healthy lives and uphold well-being for all at all ages: to lessen the global maternal mortality rate to less than 70 per 100,000 live births, end preventable deaths of new born babies and children under the age of 5. By the year 2020, end increase in the rate of Aids, tuberculosis, malaria and other diseases. Furthermore, strengthen the capacity of all countries for early warning, risk management and risk reduction.
• Ensure inclusive and reasonable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all: ensure that all girls and boys complete fair and quality primary and secondary education leading to appropriate and effective learning results. By the year 2020, eradicate gender disparities in education and vocational training for the vulnerable, including the disabled, indigenous people and vulnerable children. Furthermore, the goal is to significantly increase the supply of competent and experienced teachers especially in least developed countries.
• Achieve gender equality and empower women: eliminate violence, early and forced marriages, trafficking and other types of exploitation. Also, ensuring the full participation and equal opportunities of leadership for women at all levels. Furthermore, undertaking reforms to give women equal rights to economic resources and ownership over land and other form of property.
• Ensure the availability of water and sanitation for all: attain access to sound sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation, first priority given to women and girls in vulnerable positions. Furthermore, develop international cooperation and capacity building support to developing countries in water and sanitation related undertakings like wastewater treatment, recycling, water harvesting, water efficiency, and reuse technologies.
• Guarantee access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all: expand infrastructure and update technology for supplying modern and sustainable energy services for all in developing countries, land locked developing countries to be precise.
• Promote sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all: achieve higher levels of economic growth through divergence, technology upgrade, innovation and focus on high value added and labour intensive sectors. By 2030, develop and operationalize a global policy for youth employment and implement plans that encourage sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products.
• Build resistant infrastructure and promote innovation: develop quality and sustainable infrastructure to support economic development while focusing on affordable and equitable access for all. Also, facilitate sustainable infrastructure development through enhanced financial, technical and technological support to most importantly, least developed countries.
• Decrease inequality amongst countries: empowers and encourages the social, political and economic inclusion of all. Further, encourage official development backing and financial flows, foreign direct investment inclusive, to countries where it’s needed the most according to their national plans and programmes.
• Make cities and human settlements safe, inclusive and sustainable: provide access to safe and affordable transport systems for all by improving road safety and expanding public transportation. Further, increasing the number of cities and human settlements by adopting and implementing incorporated policies towards insertion, resource effectiveness and adaptation to climate change.
• Ensure sustainable consumption and production: significantly reduce waste generation through prevention, recycling and reduction. Similarly, rationalize incompetent fossil-fuels subsidies that promote wasteful consumption by eliminating market distortions.
• Take critical action to fight climate change and its impact: implement the commitment embarked on by developed countries to the United Nations agenda on climate change as well as promoting mechanisms for raising capacity for effective climate change related planning least developed countries.
• Conserve and sustainably use water resources (oceans, seas and marine resources) for sustainable development: prevent and considerably reduce marine pollution of all kinds. Therefore, efficiently standardize harvesting and end overfishing in order to restore fish stocks that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics
• Safeguard, restore and encourage sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, fight desertification, halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss: promote the execution of sustainable management of all types of forests and effectively increase afforestation and reforestation globally. Furthermore, enhance global support for efforts to fight poaching and trafficking of species by increasing the ability of communities to follow sustainable livelihood opportunities.
• Promote diplomatic and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice to all and build effective and accountable institutions at all levels: strengthen appropriate national institutions through international cooperation to prevent violence and fight terrorism and crime.
• Reinforce the means of implementation and regenerate the global partnership for sustainable development: follow up on progress in implementing the universal goals and targets, inclusive of the means of implementation in all countries in a way which respects their nature and all 3 levels of sustainable development.

African Agenda 2063 - the Africa we want

Agenda 2063 is Africa’s master plan for the transformation of Africa into the global powerhouse of the future. It targets to deliver on its goal for inclusive and sustainable development and is a concrete manifestation of the Pan-African drive for unity, freedom and self-determination

As a declaration of their dedication to support Africa’s new route for attaining inclusive and sustainable economic growth and development, the African heads of state and government engaged the 50th Anniversary solemn declaration during the golden jubilee celebrations in May 2013. The affirmation marked the re-dedication of Africa towards the accomplishment of the Pan African Vision of an integrated, thriving and peaceful continent driven by its own citizens demonstrating a vibrant force in the international arena. It is a firm manifestation of how Africa intends to achieve this vision within a period of 50 years. This was captured in a letter presented by Dr. Nkosazana Dlaminin Zuma, the former chairperson of the African Union Commission.

The need to visualize a long term development plan for Africa is important as the continent needs to review and adapt its development agenda due to constant structural transformations, improved peace and decline in the number of conflicts.

Agenda 2063 captures not only the plans for the future but also the main flagship programmes which can enhance Africa’s economic growth and development and lead to the swift transformation of the continent. The agenda also identifies significant activities to be undertaken in its 10 year implementation plans which will ensure that the agenda delivers transformational results for Africa. The goals and priority areas of Agenda 2063 are as follows:

• A high standard of living, quality of life and comfort for all citizens - areas of priority are decent jobs, equal opportunities, social security, modern habitats and basic quality services.
• Educated citizens and expertise revolution underpinned by science, technology and innovation - education and skills focused revolution
• Healthy and well-nourished citizens - prosperous continent with health and nutrition as a priority
• Transformed economies - sustained and inclusive economic growth which is driven by value addition and economic diversification. The agenda is determined to eliminate poverty and build shared affluence through social and economic transformation of the continent at large.
• Up-to-date agriculture for increased productivity and product - main focus is on agricultural activities
• Marine resources and energy for accelerated economic growth - sustainable natural resource management and biodiversity conservation
• Environmentally sustainable economies and communities that are climate resilient - the main focus is on water security, sustainable consumption, production patterns, climate resilience , natural disasters and renewable energy
• A continent of good governance, respect for human rights , justice and democracy - the continent shall have a worldwide culture of good governance, gender equality, democratic values and justice. There will be transformational leadership in place at all levels.
• A peaceful and secure continent - tools for peaceful prevention and resolution of conflicts will be functional at all levels. The continent will be peaceful and secure with harmony among communities starting from ordinary level. The administration of our differences in diversity will be a source of prosperity, peace and social economic transformation.
• An integrated continent, united politically, with its basis on the ideals of Pan-Africanism and the vision of Africa’s renaissance - the quest of African unity has been inspired by the spirit of Pan Africanism, concentrating mainly on liberation and economic independence. It is driven by development based on self-reliance and determination of African people with democratic governance.
• Africa with a strong cultural identity, values and ethics - the main focus is on values and ideals of pan Africanism, values, heritage and creative arts. Pan African ideals will be fully included in all school curricula and Pan-African cultural assets will be enhanced. Further, Africa’s stolen values and customs will be restored safeguarded.
• A continent whose development is people driven, reliant on the potential of African people especially women and the youth - all citizens of Africa will be actively involved in decision making. It shall be an inclusive continent where no one will be left behind based on gender, religion age, or other factors. All practices of systematic inequalities, discrimination and exploitation of young people will be eliminated in all areas.
• A continent which is strong, united and an influential global player - Africa shall continue to campaign for the reform of the united nations and other international institutions so as to correct the historical injustice of Africa not being represented on the council by a permanent seat. This will be achieved by strengthening common views on partnerships and speaking with one voice on views on global matters.

African Union National Anthem

The African Union Anthem celebrated victory over the bondages of colonialism and apartheid , it calls on every African to desire for a better life and build the strong foundation today which will lead to a better future for our motherland symbolised in harmony and solidarity between the people of Africa and African countries.

The mission to record the anthem was not only to ensure all Africans are able to hear and sing along but it was also vital to ensure that the song was captured in the youthful voices of the next generation.

The students of Nyundo music school availed their time and fervently supported this venture to ensure that they could deliver the best of themselves to this momentous project.

Measures of development

Measures of development give an idea about how the country is performing economically, environmentally and socially.There are many measures used to assess development.

• Gross National Product; Gross national product (GNP) is the total value of all finished goods and services that are produced by the citizens of a country in a given financial year. It also measures the output generated by a country businesses located locally or abroad. In basic terms, Gross National Product indicates how people of a country contribute to its economy. It puts into consideration citizenship, regardless of the location. In calculation, Gross National Product adds government expenditure, personal expenditure, private domestic investments, net exports and income earned by citizen’s abroad, and subtracts the income of foreign residents within the local economy. Additionally, to avoid double counting, Gross National Product omits the value of intermediary goods because the get included in the value of final products and services.
• Gross Domestic Product; this is the final value of the goods and services produced in a country in a year. Basically, it indicates the economic performance of a country. If the figure is high it implies that they have a large number of productive industries producing goods and that the service industry is well developed. If the figure is low it implies that the country has a few industries and a poor standard of living. It can be measured by 3 methods namely:

1. Output Method - output method measures the market value of all goods and services that are produced in a country
2. Expenditure Method - it measures the total expenditure acquired by all entities on goods and services within the domestic boundaries of a country.
3. Income Method - it measures the total income earned by the factors of production (labour and capital) in a country.

• Infant mortality; this is the number of infants that die prematurely, that is, before they are one or five.
• Birth rate; this is the number of people born per thousand people per year. When the rate is high, it indicates low levels of development due to a lack of contraceptives or simply just the need for large families. A low birth rate implies a high level of development.
• Death rate; this is the number of people who die per thousand people per year. It will be a perfect indicator of the level of sanitation, quality of water, health care, food supply and accommodation.
• Level of literacy; this is the percentage of people that can read and write.

Conclusion

Development can be seen as a progress towards complex goals such as the eradication of poverty, the creation of employment, the reduction of inequality and the security of human rights.

In conclusion, development studies is an interdisciplinary field that seeks to find solutions to improve the lives of citizens in developing countries like Zambia by addressing pressing issues through studying cultural and political development. This involves getting to grips with other disciplines such as economics, political science, psychology, sociology, history, geography, communication, anthropology, health sciences, resource, and environmental science. The implementation of the Vision 2030 plan for Zambia is a long-term strategy aimed at achieving a thriving middle-income nation status by the year 2030 through creating an enabling environment for sustainable socio-economic development. This plan seeks to address various issues such as macroeconomic stability, less restrictive regulations and tackling corruption, privatisation and de-regulation, and effective tax structure. The implementation of this plan requires the involvement of the government, individuals, the private sector, civil society, cooperating partners, and other stakeholders.