The G-8 summit concluded on Friday with world leaders deciding to allocate $50 billion to Africa over the next five years in hopes of minimizing the abundant problems that plague the continent.

This $50 billion, which is just a $25 billion addition to the aid already given, is not sufficient. No debt has been forgiven and nothing other than a token gesture was made by the G-8 -- a group of rich, industrialized nations who, to put it simply, just want to continue to be wealthy.

Though the conference has been touted a success by some, it's not even in the same ballpark as what could be considered necessary. Each member country of the G-8 pledged 0.7 percent of their national income to the cause -- except for the United States -- which only pledged 0.16 percent of our national income.

Instead of possibly saving the continent where civilization arguably began, the United States continues to spend more money on its already-bloated defense budget and military expenses. Many feel that the United Nations should handle problems in Africa. But former Secretary of State Madeline Albright has said that the United Nations annual budget equals what the Pentagon spends on defense in 32 hours.

It's both depressing and ironic that other countries of a comparably smaller nature agree to give more than the hegemonic world leader. Ironic, but again, not surprising. And perhaps at this point even expected. After all, it is a lot more fun to discuss being heroic than actually doing the heroic deed. It might require a few beads of sweat above the brow.

It's a lot more fun to pose for pictures slated for page one, to vacation on a resort in Scotland and to have a few drinks with other world leaders than it is to create a definitive plan to conquer famine, disease and the habitually failures of burgeoning democracies.

We'll find out 10 years down the road that Africans are expected to pay back that $50 billion anyway, which, when adjusted for inflation, probably won't be able to cover the cost of AIDS treatment in Kenya, let alone the rest of the continent. But it's OK. It's only an entire continent after all, right?

And let's not forget the pledge of up to $3 billion per year by G-8 leaders designated to build a Palestinian state. How much does it cost to build a state, and when and where will this state building occur? You can't build it on top of something that already exists, and it seems unlikely that earth can be constructed.

The G-8 summit was not a complete failure, but nowhere close to a success. Hopefully, both Palestine and Africa can use this money wisely and begin to take steps toward a world that, if not perfect, is at least better.