The Hill: Concentrate on Africa’s Children
Mark Shriver, senior vice president for strategic initiatives with Save the Children, and Tanzania President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete

“…The U.S.-Africa Leaders’ Summit on August 5 and 6 offers an opportunity to boldly commit to prioritizing maternal, newborn and child survival in Africa. The good news is that there is such a bold plan. It is called Accelerating Action in Africa (AAA) and it is designed to dramatically accelerate the reduction of preventable maternal, newborn, and child deaths in Africa … We ask that President Obama join with African leaders at the Summit to launch an international ‘Action Tank,’ a group comprised of the brightest minds … who will be well equipped to tackle this unique challenge and design a truly innovative 21st century idea that solves a problem — not just tinkers with it. Presidential initiatives like this have been set up before and they have achieved incredible results. The President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) has provided life-saving treatment for more than six million people…” (7/31).