Coral Gables, Florida -- "I believe in the future of Africa," a continent that is on the march to embrace freedom and democracy, the Prime Minister of Cape Verde, Jose Maria Pereira Neves told the "Dialogue on Democracy" conference June 5.

In a lunchtime address on the first day of the two-day event that brings together seven African and seven Latin American nations to share best practices in developing democratic principles, Neves said, "In recent years, in spite of some centers of conflict and internal wars, which continue to persist, various countries [in Africa] have established the basis of a democratic regime.

"There is more and more space for a dialogue and for an intense search for peace. Regional blocs are achieving greater participation, and there is a determination and political will to resurrect the African Union."

Neves said the consolidation of democracy and the establishment of social and economic development in Africa was dependent on the vision and abilities of African leaders. "I believe that before anything else, it is necessary that a democratic culture be developed and enhanced, a culture that promotes tolerance, recognition of difference and respect for others. African leaders must work to help establish that culture."

The prime minister, whose remarks in Portuguese were translated into English, also went on to acknowledge, however, the fragility of institutions in Africa, the weakness of its civil society, the absence of a democratic culture and the inability of many of its states to manage diversity and embrace modernization. That, he said, has had a negative impact on the evolution of democratization and human development all across the continent.

At the luncheon, the Prime Minister called on Africa's elites to work with their fellow countrymen and the developed world to construct a foundation to support freedom, democracy and development that would serve the cause of human dignity.

Using his own country as an example, Neves said, "From our point of view, the process of construction of democracy in Cape Verde has been a successful experience. We have created the rules of democracy, established the channels that guarantee freedom of dissent and the involvement of civil society in the affairs of the republic, and we share a common agenda for economic and social development."

In Cape Verde, Neves told his audience, the political opposition enjoys legal stature and as such, their political rights are "scrupulously respected." This fact, he said, constitutes one of the key reasons why Cape Verde enjoys political stability and social peace.

With democracy, Neves pointed out, the men and women of Cape Verde have become citizens. "They have seen their quality of life improve continuously."

[Cape Verde achieved its independence in 1975. After 15 years of a single party regime, the country made a transition to embrace democracy in 1990. The political opposition won the country's first election, Neves said, and subsequently governed the country for ten years. In 2001, there was a second change of government in an atmosphere of freedom and democracy.]

Neves pointed out that Cape Verde also the independence of the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government represents another key factor that enhances the country's stability -- along with freedom of the press -- which he called an "undeniable reality" in Cape Verde.

"For a small island country like Cape Verde with the vulnerabilities that are well known, good governance presents itself as a strategic resource," Neves told his audience. "This is why we understand that it is fundamental to govern the country in a way to guarantee macro-economic stability and healthy economic policies."

The Prime Minister also noted that Cape Verde has a strong civil society movement, which has fostered the country's move to embrace democracy. Two key factors have added to the process: the work of many non-governmental organizations, and the fact that all Cape Verdeans share the same common agenda for development.

For political stability, especially in Africa, Neves said there must also be an ongoing cultural dialogue between different ethnic groups in each country. He cited post- apartheid South Africa, under the leadership of President Nelson Mandela, as an example of capable political leadership that has peacefully led a country towards democratic progress.

In that country, the "transition went well because there was a great tolerance, a recognition of differences among the people but also respect for diversity. This is an essential element in the structure of South Africa and must be in the vision of Africa at this time," he said.

Commenting on how a newly democratic government deals with rising expectations, Neves said education in democracy is essential for a country's citizens. Civil society and political leaders in any democratic country must enjoy a good relationship, he said, so that the people of that society can learn about their political system and become empowered. With education, he said, citizens become "agents of democratization" in their own country.

In a major aside during his talk, Neves specifically praised the Millennium Challenge Account and what it can do for Africa, giving a financial and moral boost to democracy on a continent on the road to freedom.

[President George W. Bush submitted to Congress his plan for the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) on February 5, 2003. The initiative represents a new approach to providing and delivering development assistance. This new compact for development breaks with the past by tying increased assistance to performance and creating new accountability for all nations. The measure proposes to increase current levels of core development assistance by 50% over the next 3 years, thus providing an annual increase of $5 billion ($5,000 million) by fiscal year 2006. The U.S. will channel these funds only to developing countries that demonstrate a strong commitment to the rule of law, transparency, economic freedoms and investing in their populations.]

The "Dialogue on Democracy" meeting is a direct follow-up to the Plan of Action adopted at the 2002 Community of Democracies meeting in Seoul. That plan specifically charted out key areas in which the Community could: strengthen democracy in individual countries and regions; enhance regional collaboration and cooperation; bolster democratic institutions and civil society; encourage voluntarism; and foster education on the principles of democracy.

Attending the Coral Gables conference are governmental and non-governmental representatives from Cape Verde, Mali, Botswana, Senegal, Kenya, Ghana, Mozambique, Jamaica, Brazil, Chile, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Peru and the Dominican Republic. A host of delegates from non-governmental organizations are also attending. The two-day conference, which ends June 6, is being hosted by U.S. Undersecretary of State for Global Affairs, Paula J.Dobriansky.