Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Fair trade...?

It's more complicated than anti-globalization...It's not just anti-WTO...It's not only about rich countries giving subsidies to their farmers...The problem with the poor getting poorer has to do with everybody's spending behaviour, your perception of the world's resources... on equity issues, economic power, fairness, sustainability.
While we all need to reflect on our own consumption pattern and be knowledgeable on issues surrounding these social, economic, and environmental issues, spend a little time on this website and the movie that's behind it:
http://www.blackgoldmovie.com/


Next time you have your Tall Americano with Skimmed Milk, think thrice about the coffee farmers in Ethiopia starving over your morning jolt served by some paid servers who are trained to make you feel good about your COMPLETELY overpriced purchase. The movie is a bit one-sided, of course, but how else would documentaries make noise without presenting the ultimate truth?
We all have a part to play in sustainable development... and we all need to work bit by bit towards a common goal. (I am not lecturing you like I do secondary school students, but it does deserve some of our attention on such a pressing issue)


No comments: