This page lists recent changes made to this site such as new pages, or updates to existing sections. The "Find Out More" links will take you to the changes. If this jumps to the middle of a page, you can easily scroll up to understand the context of the new information a bit further.
Date of Update
Description
March 20, 2001
An internal IMF and World Bank report has concluded that the poor are better off without structural adjustment. Structural Adjustment Policies (SAPs) that the IMF and World Bank have prescribed to poor countries, are conditional loan repayment policies that have required cut backs on government spending on health, education and other provisions to concentrate on more export-oriented growth and opening up of their markets etc. to earn hard cash to pay back loans. Things like health and education are a backbone to a vibrant society, yet the poor countries are being forced to cut back. A spiraling race to the bottom for the poor countries has resulted during the years that SAPs have been in effect. There has been growing criticism of such policies for a while now, but recently (albeit just briefly) becoming slightly more mainstream. However, even a change of names for SAPs doesn't change its effects. Find Out More »
- Related Section(s): Causes of Poverty / Debt / Trade Related Issues
Additional links on global warming and the Hague conference have been added. A number of articles from Third World Network have been linked to that provide a very critical look at big business interests and wealthy countries, such as the United States, and how they have been involved in the global climate negotiations. This comes at a time when George Bush has reversed an election campaign pledge to legislate limits on carbon dioxide emissions, and, at the same time, a study from London reveals further proof that the climate change is really occurring. Find Out More »
- Related Section(s): Global Warming / Environment Related Issues / Trade Related Issues
As political and economic woes continue in Indonesia, human rights violations continue in the regions such as Aceh. Beatings, political prisoners and other abuses continue as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International detail. While there is a little bit more attention to Indonesia lately by the mainstream media, the various conflicts in regions such as Aceh and Iriyan Jaya are still less mentioned. Some Additional links have been added. Find Out More »
- Related Section(s): Human Rights Issues / Geopolitics
I will be appearing on the Don and Carla Show, a live webcast internet talk show, Thursday March 29th. The topic will be related to the problems caused by IMF and World Bank policies. I will be on around 8pm Mountain Time (which is 10pm Eastern Standard Time, 3am GMT). You can listen to the show via the web from a link on their home page: http://www.donandcarla.net. (Keep checking it in case of updates to the time etc.)
March 13, 2001
Functional foods, or genetically enhanced foods with added nutritional benefits are the next thing being promoted by the biotech industry. However, will such promising sounding foods help those suffering from malnutrition? Will edible vaccines prove workable? There is much criticism already about functional foods as a way for improving the tarnished image of biotech corporations. A new section has been added to introduce some of these issues. Find Out More »
- Related Section(s): Genetically Engineered Food / Hunger and Poverty / Causes of poverty
The European Union Court of Justice has ruled that the European Union can lawfully suppress political criticism of its institutions and of leading figures. This is a step backwards for human rights, democracy and free speech. Find Out More »
- Related Section(s): Human Rights Issues
March 6, 2001
Causes of hunger can be found in the causes of poverty. One of the major causes of hunger results from poverty itself. When economic and development policies are geared towards extracting resources and wealth away from the poor countries and their people, poverty -- and therefore hunger -- continues or even increases. A new section is added here to describe some of these things, including land rights, diversion of land use to non-productive use, increasing emphasis on export-oriented agriculture and more. Find Out More »
- Related Section(s): Hunger and Poverty / Food Dumping [Aid] causes hunger / Causes of poverty / Trade Related Issues
Constructive Engagement is often used to describe the positive benefits of multinational companies investing into poorer countries. However, who is it positive for? While the potential benefits are enormous, in reality there has been a lot of investment for the benefits of the companies investing in a country, rather than for the benefit of the society in general. Human rights have often been ignored, and in some cases, even violently suppressed for these "positive" benefits. Find Out More »
- Related Section(s): Corporations / Free Trade and Globalization / Trade Related Issues / Military Expansion
Global Issues
Functional foods, or genetically enhanced foods with added nutritional benefits are the next thing being promoted by the biotech industry. However, will such promising sounding foods help those suffering from malnutrition? Will edible vaccines prove workable? There is much criticism already about functional foods as a way for improving the tarnished image of biotech corporations. A new section has been added to introduce some of these issues.