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Two years ago this month, we launched the Initiative for African Trade and Prosperity ([link removed]) (IATP) – a collaborative project between the IEA and the Vinson Centre at the University of Buckingham – to champion freedom in the least free region on earth, Sub-Saharan Africa.
The IATP proudly leads a project to improve the effectiveness and amplify the voice of over ten freedom-loving think tanks across Africa. This work is generously supported by the Rising Tide Foundation and the Network for a Free Society. It was initially formulated with the late Linda Whetstone before her passing in December 2021 and now aims to continue her legacy by having a tangible impact on the lives of millions.
In the last year, the IATP has supported more than 30 in-person events across the continent to a combined audience of over 4,000. We have funded the printing and distribution of 14,500 copies of Eamonn Butler’s An Introduction to Trade and Globalisation ([link removed]) in English, French, and Swahili across ten countries and have printed and distributed 5,500 CDs containing mini-libraries of classical liberal texts.
Ardhi University, in Dar es Salaam, our Tanzanian-based partners Liberty Sparks conducted a student conference about free trade. They distributed over 200 copies of An Introduction to Trade and Globalisation ([link removed]) ' in Swahili.
The IATP has achieved substantial policy wins, which you can learn more about here ([link removed]) . Between 2016 and 2021, the Burundian government banned exports of food products, cement, and corn seeds and the importation of fertiliser. These protectionist policies significantly damaged a nation with an average annual income of around just US$700.
In the words of Dr Franck Arnaud Ndorukwigira, Editorial Manager at Centre for Development and Enterprises (CDE) Great Lakes, based in Bujumbura, Burundi “faced with growing protectionism, the CDE Great Lakes in partnership with IATP stood up to defend trade openness and free trade.”
A mass campaign followed to shift public opinion in favour of freer trade.
Within a few months, the Minister of Trade, Industry, and Tourism began to champion the policy proposals put forth by CDE Great Lakes in a paper financially supported by the IATP. After much debate within the government and with public pressure mounting, a few months ago it was announced that the bans on importing and exporting the products were overturned.
As a result, many food shortages have ended, domestic industries are expanding, and farmers can finally begin growing their crops again. Two weeks ago, as part of our joint project, CDE Great Lakes has also ensured that many foodstuffs are exempt from a 1.5 per cent tariff on products imported into Burundi.
If you would like to support our international work, click here ([link removed]) , or contact IEA Head of Stakeholder Relations Alex Lee at
[email protected] (mailto:
[email protected]?subject=null&body=null)
Alexander Hammond
IEA Free Trade Fellow and Director of the Initiative for African Trade and Prosperity
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** Will Labour fix the NHS?
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In a speech this week, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer set out his plan for tackling Britain’s healthcare woes.
* Starmer said ([link removed]) ‘the NHS is not sustainable unless we make serious, deep, long-term changes’.
* He pledged to reduce waiting lists and will aim for 95 per cent of A&E patients to be seen within four hours and 92 per cent of patients to get treatment within 18 weeks of a referral.
* While these are admirable targets, the NHS will likely continue to flounder without radical systemic reform.
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Head of Political Economy Kristian Niemietz welcomed Starmer’s refreshing honesty about the NHS in The Daily Telegraph ([link removed]) while being sceptical that his plan will prove an effective long-term fix.
Kristian has long advocated healthcare reform. In 2016, the IEA published Kristian’s Universal Healthcare Without The NHS ([link removed]) , in which he highlighted the NHS’ poor healthcare outcomes and argued for a move towards a social insurance healthcare system.
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On the IEA YouTube channel ([link removed]) , Kristian also answered Google’s most popular questions about the NHS, including the popular theory that it is being secretly privatised.
IEA Latest.
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** Free Speech: Where is the line? ([link removed])
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Head of Cultural Affairs Marc Glendening interviews Bryn Harris, Chief Legal Counsel at the Free Speech Union, IEA YouTube channel
Combatting censorship... The ability to speak freely is a pillar of liberal democracy and a principle increasingly under threat. We must rally to defend it.
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** Juryless Trials Are a Naked Power Grab ([link removed])
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Communications Officer Harrison Griffiths,
Foundation for Economic Education
Judge, jury and executioner… The SNP’s plan to institute juryless trials for serious sexual assault cases risks empowering the state to obtain its preferred legal outcomes.
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** Bangladesh’s garment workers and the problem of unintended consequences ([link removed])
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Director of Public Policy and Communications Matthew Lesh, CapX & IEA Blog
Be careful what you wish for... The 2013 collapse of a Bangladeshi garment factory led to stricter safety standards. But, according to a new academic study, this significantly reduced employment in the sector. Thus leaving more Bangladeshis trapped in extreme poverty.
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** In defence of booze ([link removed])
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Head of Lifestyle Economics Christopher Snowdon, Spiked!
Have a drink... Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has announced that all alcohol sold in Ireland is to be labelled with cigarette packet-style health warnings. This infuriates alcohol-producing EU states and is misleading about the complex relationship between alcohol consumption and health.
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** Is immigration “too high”? ([link removed])
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Matthew Lesh interviews Sunder Katwala and Ilya Somin, IEA YouTube Channel
Migration nation... ONS figures released this week showed that net migration reached a record 606,000 in 2022. But is this really “too high” and what can be done to manage the strain on resources? Harrison Griffiths also wrote about the matter for the IEA Blog ([link removed]) .
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** The energy price cap may be lower, but it’s still a dreadful policy ([link removed])
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Energy Analyst Andy Mayer, CapX
Price cap catastrophe... Energy prices have fallen, and Ofgem is taking all the credit. However, this isn’t the whole story; we may not have the energy price cap to thank.
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** Trade, Competition and Domestic Regulatory Policy
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Matthew Lesh interviews Shanker Singham and Alden F. Abbott, IEA YouTube
The joy of competition... The IEA Book Club hosted Shanker Singham and Alden F. Abbott to discuss their recent book, ‘Trade, Competition and Domestic Regulatory Policy’. During the event, they advocated trade liberalisation and criticised barriers to free trade.
IEA Insider.
** EPiCENTER wins Atlas Network Europe Liberty Award
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This week, IEA and EPiCENTER staff were in Prague for Atlas Network’s Europe Liberty Forum 2023. The highlight of week was EPiCENTER Director Adam Bartha representing all EPiCENTER partners as they won the Europe Liberty Award for their project ([link removed]) on tackling the cost of living crisis in Europe through tax reform and liberalising regulation.
** IEA Book Club
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** IEA Book Club with Paul Johnson ([link removed])
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Date: Wednesday, 7 June
Time: 5.30pm — 7.30pm
Location: 2 Lord North Street, SW1P 3LB
The IEA Book Club will host Director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies Paul Johnson on his latest book, 'Follow the Money: How Much Does Britain Cost'. Matthew Lesh will chair this event.
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** IEA Book Club with Ross Clark ([link removed])
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Date: Tuesday, 13 June
Time: 17:30 – 19:30
Location: 2 Lord North Street, SW1P 3LB
The IEA Book Club will host journalist Ross Clark on his latest book, 'Not Zero: How an Irrational Target Will Impoverish You, Help China (and Won’t Even Save the Planet)'. IEA Energy Analyst Andy Mayer will chair the event.
Find out more about how to join the Book Club ([link removed])
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