photo – nikolaj nielsen
Three years ago I attended the Make Poverty History month in Edinburgh, Scotland. I distinctly remember the chain of people forming a circle, hand in hand, united against the struggle of poverty afflicting many of Africa's poorest. I also remember being rather disappointed about the extravaganza as the partying seemed detached from the cause.
The only black person I saw was busy picking up “Make Poverty History” signs off the ground and tossing them into a bin. Nonetheless, the event did raise millions and helped countless children attend primary schools in Africa.
Organized by celebrity power houses of the likes of Bono and Bob Geldof, the festivities were committed to bringing the world's attention to those in greatest need. Occurring at the same time only a few dozen kilometers away was the G8 summit in Gleneagles.
Anti-globalist gathered in Edinburgh. They too formed human chains as the riot police faced them off in the city's historic centre.
Now another anti-poverty celebrity, Kidjo from Benin, is accusing big Western donor agencies of secret agendas to export neo-colonial interests. Kidjo is a goodwill ambassador of UNICEF. She claims Western donor monies end up supporting corrupt officials that only perpetuates the vicious cycle of poverty.
“Aid was supposed to replace the consequences of colonised living in Africa, but the colonial powers did everything to keep on going in Africa,” she told Reuters.
Kidjo makes an interesting and valid point. Donations from large aid organizations are often tied to conditions established by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. One of these conditions is opening up national markets to free trade for rich countries who have unfair subsidies.
I remember once going into an upscale supermarket in Nairobi (in 2005). Two crates of oranges were sprawled out on display. One crate of oranges came from Europe. Another crate was locally grown. Guess which one was cheaper?
Certainly one has to address unfair trading practices and tied donor conditions to seriously reverse poverty.
