Joseph Ki-Zerbo

thumb Joseph Ki-Zerbo (21 June 1922 – 4 December 2006) was a Burkinabè historian, politician, educator and one of Africa's foremost intellectuals. He was an advocate of African-centred development, democracy, education and cultural identity. Ki-Zerbo authored several influential works, including Histoire de l'Afrique noire and À quand l'Afrique?, and was a leading voice in debates on African history, sustainable development and Pan-Africanism. Quotes On ne développe pas, on se développe. À quand l'Afrique? (Éditions de l'Aube, 2003). Joseph Ki-Zerbo discussing self-reliant development and Africa's responsibility for its own progress. English translation: "Development is not something that is brought to people; people develop themselves." We cannot develop by proxy. À quand l'Afrique? (Éditions de l'Aube, 2003). Joseph Ki-Zerbo discussing the importance of self-driven development in Africa. Education is the foundation of freedom. UNESCO Courier interview. Joseph Ki-Zerbo discussing the role of education in achieving freedom and sustainable development. A people without historical memory is a people without dignity. Histoire de l'Afrique noire (Hatier, 1972). Joseph Ki-Zerbo discussing the importance of historical consciousness and national dignity. Africa must refuse to be merely a consumer of the world's ideas; it must become a producer of knowledge. UNESCO address on African higher education. Joseph Ki-Zerbo discussing Africa's contribution to global knowledge and scholarship. Culture is the root from which every authentic development grows. UNESCO Conference on Culture and Development. Joseph Ki-Zerbo discussing the relationship between culture and sustainable development. History is not a luxury for Africa; it is a necessity. Histoire de l'Afrique noire (Hatier, 1972). Joseph Ki-Zerbo discussing the importance of history in Africa's development. Democracy cannot survive where citizens are excluded from knowledge. Public lecture at the Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA). Joseph Ki-Zerbo discussing democracy, civic education and informed citizenship. Development is the passage from oneself to oneself at a higher level. Le développement, c’est le passage de soi à soi-même à un niveau supérieur. There is no ‘ready-made’ development. The only viable and valid development is ‘development with the key in one's head Africa's development will be endogenous or it will not be. It is through its ‘being’ that Africa will truly gain access to ‘having'. Without identity, we are an object of history, an instrument used by others: a utensil. A culture without a material and logistical foundation is just passing wind There is an African art of living, an art of solidarity, an art of otherness, of openness to others that Europeans no longer find in their own societies. I regret that the foundations of this African culture are being erased. Misery is the cancellation of choice. The development of human beings is too serious to leave in the hands of economists alone The slow suffocation of African languages would be dramatic; it would be the descent into hell for African identity. Africa has a history External links Category:1922 births Category:2006 deaths Category:Burkinabé historians Category:Burkinabé politicians Category:Burkinabé educators