The African Union is now a member of the G20

The African Union (AU) has been invited to join the G20 as a permanent member. 

The AU has more than 50 countries and wants to have a more important role in the world.

Last year, US President Joe Biden, among others, said it was time for the AU to become a permanent member of the G20.

The AU had been trying to become a full member of the G20 for seven years. Before this, South Africa was the only country from Africa in the G20. 

Permanent membership in the G20 shows Africa’s growth. The continent has a population of 1.3 billion young people. By 2050 the population will double. One-quarter of all of the people in the world will be from Africa.

The 55 countries of the AU have been working hard to have more important roles in the world. They also want to change the global financial system and the World Bank. Currently, African countries have to pay more than other countries to borrow money.

African leaders are tired of their continent being seen as just a place with problems. With full G20 membership, the AU can represent a continent with the world’s largest free trade area and lots of resources needed to fight climate change.

African leaders also want more industries in Africa instead of outside countries taking Africa’s resources.

By making the African Union a part of the G20, the world will see the continent as a global power.

Vocabulary

• African Union (AU) – A group of 55 countries in Africa that work together to solve problems and improve the lives of their people.
• Invite – To ask someone to join or be part of something
• G20 – A meeting where leaders from 20 countries/areas with the biggest economies discuss important things
• Permanent – Lasting for a very long time, or forever
• Role – The part or job someone has in a situation or system; position; job
• President – leader; the top person in a large company, organization, or country; boss
• Among others – Including other people or things
• Membership – Being part of or in a group or club
• Growth – increase in earnings or in value; earn more money
• Continent – A really big piece of land, like Africa or Asia
• Population – all the people living in a particular country, area, or place
• Billion – 1,000,000,000 = one-billion
• Double – two times more; 2x
• One-quarter – ¼; One part out of four equal parts
• Global – related to the whole world; everywhere in the world
• Financial – related to finance, money or banking
• Borrow – To take something now and promise to give it back later.
• Leader – someone who is in charge of a group, organization or country; a boss or manager; a person who guides, directs, or commands a group
• Tired of something – Feeling bored or annoyed with something; When you don’t like something anymore because you’ve had enough  or too much
• Represent – To act or speak for someone or something, to be a symbol or example of them
• Free trade area – A region where goods and services can be traded freely between countries; A place where countries can trade things without many rules
• Resource – natural things such as water, wood, food, oil, etc. which are valuable in supporting life and industry
• Climate change – the fast and dangerous change in weather happening around the world
• Industry – the companies and activities involved in the production of goods for sale, esp. in a factory

Quiz

Time’s up

Discussion Questions

• Why do you think it’s important for the African Union to become a permanent member of the G20?
• What do you think are the benefits of the AU becoming a permanent member of the G20?
• How might having more industries in Africa benefit the continent and its people?
• Do you think the perception of Africa as a global power will change after its inclusion in the G20? Why or why not?

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• English learners looking for study ideas, check out my post on using news stories for English practice.

Original Story

abcnews.go.com

The African Union is joining the G20, a powerful acknowledgement of a continent of 1 billion people

The decision by the Group of 20 of the world’s leading economies to admit the African Union as a permanent member is a powerful acknowledgement of Africa as its more than 50 countries seek a more important role on the global stage

Fill-in-the-Blank Listening Practice

The African Union (AU) has _____ invited to join the G20 as a permanent _____. 

The AU has more than 50 countries and _____ to have a more important role in the _____.

Last year, _____ President Joe Biden, among _____, said it was time for the AU to become a permanent member of _____ G20.

The AU had been trying to _____ a full member of the G20 for seven years. Before this, _____ _____ was the only country from Africa in the G20. 

_____ membership in the G20 shows Africa’s _____. The continent has a population of 1.3 billion young _____. By 2050 the population will double. One-quarter of all of the people in the _____ will be from Africa.

The 55 countries _____ the AU have been working hard to have more important _____ in the world. They also _____ to change the global financial system _____ the World Bank. _____, African countries have to pay more than other countries to _____ money.

African leaders are _____ of their continent being seen as just a place with _____. With full G20 membership, the AU can _____ a continent with the world’s largest free trade area and lots of _____ needed to fight climate change.

African leaders also want more _____ in Africa instead of outside countries taking Africa’s resources.

By _____ the African Union a part of the G20 the world will see the continent as a _____ power.