"Trade, not aid" for Africa: rarely has a slogan promised more, and delivered less. The continent's share of global trade is miniscule, and a successful conclusion to the latest round of international trade negotiations that might improve matters remains maddeningly elusive.

All doom and gloom, then? Not necessarily.

IPS analyses the problems that prevent Africa from taking its proper place in international trade, especially in terms of its relations with Europe. But our coverage also looks at how things can be done differently -- fair trade practices, for instance -- as well as organisations and motivated individuals who simply refuse to accept the status quo.