I just finished reading “Race Against Time” by Stephen Lewis. The following is my review of the book:

Stephen Lewis has written a very insightful look into the tragedy of the worlds lackluster response to the Millennium Development Goals as put forth by United Nations decree. Due to his eyewitness experiences from being an insider with the United Nations over the past number of years and his many trips and interactions with Africa, Lewis is certainly equipped to make the powerful statements he makes in this book.

Stephen Lewis is clearly a man who chooses his words carefully and this shows in his expert command of the English language making the written text sound very much as it must have sounded when he spoke the words at the 2005 Massey Lectures.

His choice of anecdotes and stories from personal experiences also put a very personal face on what could have been a very dry treatise. In each case the personal connection drives home the reality that for Lewis , the African crisis in not some distant topic of discussion but is indeed very much a crime that needs the response of the entire world - and one that has consumed his life.

Regarding the content: Lewis’ basic premise throughout is that the MDG’s will not be fulfilled by the assumed deadline of 2015. He gives a very poignant case for the failings of the UN and various governments to ensure that the necessary steps are taken to reach the targets of the MDG’s.

Lewis’ depiction of the molasses surrounding the activity of the UN and various other government organizations reaffirmed some of the bias that I think a lot of his readers (listeners) would have already brought with them, but when delivered from the mouth of one who has had privilege in the halls of influence it certainly carries a greater punch. The frustration level was definitely evident as I read his words.

I only have a few criticisms of this work and they aren’t based on the writing or the words but rather on some of his philosophies and possible solutions he raises at the end of the book. Clearly, Lewis appears to be a man who sees human solutions to human problems - in other words, as I perceive, he is a humanist. The underlying world-view is that given the right resources, enough motivation and resolve, the world’s problems can be resolved by sheer human innovation and cooperation. Certainly, there is an element of truth in that but as history has shown, we humans far too often fall short of the very ideals we set up for ourselves and more often than not the solutions we come up with are simply pipe dreams. The real problem isn’t AIDS, isn’t lack of money, isn’t lack of motivation, isn’t apathetic government - the real problem at it’s root is sin. Unless the sin disease is dealt with, any progress made will be but a shadow of the potential for true resolution. If God is left out of the equation, there will be no solution to the crisis in Africa.

My other criticism is that among the many solutions Lewis proposed, a glaring oversight to me was the lack of mention regarding the contributions of faith groups. He emphasizes schools as being the center of communities in the developing world, and schools being the place where aid should be disbursed. I disagree, I believe that the organism (yes, a deliberate choice of words) that has the greatest reach and the best network system already in place is the church. In many communities where no school has been established, there is in fact a church. If government organizations were to partner more with the Christian church already at work in many of these countries - much more could be accomplished.

Finally, I have one remaining thing to say arising out of my reading “Race Against Time” that isn’t really a criticism, but more of an observation. I couldn’t help but thinking as Lewis listed the amount of money needed to help rectify the problems in Africa that while I certainly understand and agree with the need for Africa’s debts to be erased/forgiven - I wonder, how much of the “billions” quoted for the various funds would actually get to the people in need? How much is spent on the lush carpets, the suits, the catered meals, the fancy hotel bills, the first-class transportation, the excess salaries, the staff overhead (shall I go on?) found in all the various organizations, departments, and committees within the UN (and related government organizations). Lewis at one point talked briefly about the need for accountability if any progress is to be made - I think there needs to be transparency as well. My gut feeling is that it actually would take a lot less to help the people in Africa if all the “excesses” were addressed.

Nevertheless, Stephen Lewis clearly has a heartfelt message of warning that needs to be heard among the privileged in our society and his passion for the people in Africa is sorely needed among those of influence. If you weren’t aware of the magnitude of the crisis facing Africa (and correspondingly the world) then this book is certainly a great introduction and immersion into it.