Book Inside Zambia

The year 2004 brings two important anniversaries: Zambia celebrates 40 years of independence and the Dutch volunteer organisation Werkgroep Zambia marks 25 years since its foundation. Just the occasion, then, for the Werkgroep to publish an English-Dutch book illustrating four decades of Zambian development.

After an introductory overview by social geographer Leo van de Berg, the book offers ten themed sections covering rural development (Dick Jaeger), women (Thera Rasing), the economy (Bas de Gaay Fortman), healthcare (Miranda Brouwer), education (Tom Draisma), refugees (Philip de Haan), political parties (Jankees van Donge), churches (At Ipenburg and Hugo Hinfelaar) and Zambian music (Michael Baird). It is illustrated with 150 photographs, most of them in full colour, taken by Dutch people working in Zambia. These striking pictures reflect the entire 40 year period and offer a uniquely vivid image of Zambia.

What has been accomplished in 40 years of development co-operation? How genuinely independent is the country? How much has really changed? This book presents clear but in some respects sobering answers.

It is mainly the Zambians themselves who have constructed and modified their society. Development co-operation has made a real contribution, but has gradually changed in nature. The period of technical assistance through expatriates working on contract is definitely over. Other forms of co-operation have taken its place, such as budget support tied to good governance, and exchanges between NGOs in the Netherlands and Zambia. Today’s harsh reality is partly due to the dominant influence of international trade agreements and their adverse effects on the country. But although it gives plenty of food for thought on these issues, the book is above all a vividly enjoyable celebration of four decades of real friendship between Europeans and Zambians.

Handsomely styled by graphic designer and photographer Rob Lucas, the book is a co-operative production by co-financing organisations CORDAID and ICCO, the National Commission on Sustainable Development and Werkgroep Zambia. Proceeds will be used to support a journalism project in Zambia.

 

Werkgroep Zambia (comp.): Inside Zambia 1964 – 2004

Joint bilingual publication by Cordaid, ICCO, NCDO, and Werkgroep Zambia.

Contains 150 photographs and 11 themed analyses of Zambia’s first 40 years, 24cm by 24 cm, hardcover, 120 pp. Price:  24.95 (p&p.: Netherlands: included, Europa:  2, World:  5)

ISBN 90-73726-53-0.

Order from: wgzambia@yahoo.co.uk

Inside Zambia