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FAQWhat is the Debt you want cancelling? Why should we be bothered about climate change? Will it cost me anything to join? What is Fairtrade? · What does Fairtrade mean for third world producers? · What is the difference between fair trade and ethical trading? · Is Fairtrade a subsidy that encourages farmers to grow more coffee and therefore · Should the FAIRTRADE Mark apply to UK farmers? Click on the link below to be redirected to the Fairtrade Foundation’s answers. We have created a system of trade rules and regulations that allow rich countries and their companies to make lots of profits but prevent poor countries from developing their economies. It is not fair that rich countries, who protected their companies to help the economy grow, now say that poor countries cannot do this. It is not fair that farmers in rich countries get government subsidies to over-produce goods, which are then sold very cheaply in poor countries, putting poor farmers out of business. That is why we want Trade Justice - we need trade rules that put people and the planet first. Trade Justice is the way the poorer countries will get more of the world’s markets and therefore not be dependent on aid. (For more information on Trade Justice look on the website www.tjm.org.uk What is the Debt you want cancelling? Many of the debts we want cancelled are as a result of the World Banks last century having too much money and needing to lend it, whether countries could afford it or not and whether the leaders of government were honest or not. For example: The world’s three most corrupt dictators were Suharto in Indonesia, Marcos in the Philippines and Mobutu in Zaire, according to Transparency International. The World Bank and IMF lent billions of dollars to them, knowing they would steal and waste the money, because they supported the ‘West’ in the ColdWar. Those dictators are long gone and the Cold War was over 15 years ago. But the World Bank and IMF want the children of those countries to keep repaying the debts. If a British bank lent me money knowing I was going to waste or steal it, no court would allow them to try to collect that debt from my children. We do not allow lenders to collect loans which were “unfair” or “extortionate”. But different rules apply to the international financial institutions. They can make the most stupid, corrupt and unfair loans and demand repayment. For two decades the IMF imposed harsh conditions and lent money to support its ‘structural adjustment’ policies. The policies were a total failure, but the IMF demands Repayment of those loans. The World Bank pushed… projects which were environmental disasters, then lent more money to clean up the mess – and now demands repayment of both sets of loans. The concept of ‘illegitimate debt’ was initially proposed by campaigners in Jubilee South and has been developed using the ideas of fairness underlying British consumer credit acts. It argues that lenders must take responsibility for their loans, and cannot collect on loans which violate basic principles of fairness. Norway last year became the first country to adopt the concept and campaigners are now pressing other countries to adopt it. Many countries around the world are servicing illegitimate debts at the expense of health and education for their people. Many countries where the debts have been cancelled are now providing free education for primary schools children- the first step for them out of poverty. (facts taken from an article by Dr Joseph Hanlon, perhaps the expert on debt and debt relief) Why should we be bothered about climate change? Although some scientists refuse to believe there is such a thing as climate change, there is no doubt that the way we live in the 21st century is profligate with energy. We would need several planets if the whole world produced carbon footprints like the developed countries. It is sad but true that the changing weather patterns are affecting the poorer countries more than us. Floods to us are a rare occurrence; to parts of the developing world, they are becoming a common disaster. With drought, the deserts are spreading bringing more famine to parts of Africa where life is already marginal. It may not affect you in your lifetime much, but what would be your answer to your grandchildren when you knew there were things you could have done to reduce climate change, but you didn’t do a thing. It will affect them. How can I get involved? Are your meetings religious? Will it cost me anything to join? |
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