| @Debbiedoesnothing- Africa actually has a lot of very viable farmland, but subsidies to North American farmers means that they cannot compete on the world market. Aid is only a temporary solution, and when you factor in corruption, it is not even really a solution at all. The West needs to put an end to exploitation, and re-vamp our entire trade system to make it more fair.*
The every day person can start very easily to do their part by:*
1) Only buying fair trade products whenever possible- Fair Trade Ethiopian coffee; Fair Trade Ghanaian chocolate; Fair Trade South African wine... You can get sports balls; clothes; bananas; mangoes; tea; gifts; cards; etc... fair trade certified.*
2) Specifically boycotting companies known to exploit the developing world: Nestle; Wal-Mart; Gap; Old Navy; Banana Republic; Chiquita; Del Monte; Goldcorp; etc...*
3) When an ethical product option is not available, buy second hand: Electronics; Diamonds (vintage/antique); etc...*
4) Write to your representative in government to stop subsidizing their farmers, sign petitions in this respect, etc... Then support your local farmers by only buying local, organic produce, unless it needs be of tropical origin, in which case, see step 1. Before voting in any elections- look at what each candidate's policies are towards local agriculture, foreign affairs, and trade.*
5) Visit the countries on this list- unless, such as the case of Burma, there are tourism boycotts. First hand knowledge is very important in understanding what countries need and don't need. It can show you that in many ways, some, not all, of these places are better off than the West- with their rich cultures, close family ties, simple but happy lifestyles, etc... It shows that a lot of money from International Aid organizations do not reach the right people, and you may even discover a school, orphanage, hospital, etc, that you can help financially and independently- knowing that every penny of your money is going into the right hands and making a difference.*
*
This is by |
World's Busiest Airports
World's Biggest Economies
Modern World Leaders A-Z
