ABSTRACT
Africa was discussed only occasionally in the 1960s and 1970s, most often in the context of Cold War rivalry. This chapter identifies three periods, mirroring changes of UK political parties in government, coinciding with Wilton Park’s growing coverage of the continent since the mid-1980s. The first period from the mid-1980s to 1997 was dominated by the South(ern) African crisis, and the transition from apartheid, with some exceptions. By 1993, the outside world’s interest in South Africa declined as the situation became more stable. The second period, from 1997 to 2010, was characterised by more propitious circumstances for Africa, notably UK policies towards the continent increasing aid and debt relief. This meant Wilton Park could align more activities with ‘big issues for the continent’ with government policy focusing on the poorest. Wilton Park’s coverage of Africa since the millennium though cannot be seen in isolation from meeting the global development goals. The third period since 2010 is harder to categorise as conferences were more disparate. Africa’s needs continue to be huge so there remains a need for independent settings, such as Wilton Park, where its big policy issues can be discussed in a frank, informal and open atmosphere.
