“Yes, microfinance is a good thing, especially in those parts of the world that lack industry. And yes, industries that pollute and that violate human rights, as take place all too often in China, are a bad thing. That said, as an African it is important to me that Africa develops a manufacturing base that allows Africans to become respected members of the global community who can live comfortable lives and engage in the co-creation of global culture as peers rather than as objects of pity.
A vision of Africa that is limited to tribal villages and rural agriculture is not inspiring to me, even if the tribal villages are ‘assisted’ by the millions of dollars worth of scientific expertise that Jeff Sachs is providing them. Quite aside from the presumption of well-funded scientific experts teaching rural Africans how to farm, I am offended by the implicit notion that Sachs and company have as their highest aspiration for us that we remain cute little tribal peoples growing our crops and producing our crafts. Africa: the eternal land of National Geographic articles complete with charming natives. Why is it that black Africans are not allowed to be full participants in global society? “
Five years into the ‘Decade of Roma Inclusion’ West European countries are still struggling to integrate the Roma, and as Dr Michael Stewart warns, Europe must gain a deeper understanding of the people.
I must say that Dr Stewart is one of the most passionate people in their area of study that I’ve ever encountered. You can listen to the podcast here.
“If you look at where all of this business has migrated, it’s not just cheap dollars. It has migrated to cultures that are strong on artistic design and aesthetics, where [they are] integrated into the culture. So by isolating science and math as core curriculum and isolating art and design, we’ve created uninteresting products that the marketplace has passed judgment on.”
– Peter Coyote on why folks aren’t buying US products anymore.
Coyote discusses the cost-effectiveness of bringing artists into schools, not just for afternoon fingerpainting courses, but for the trickle-down (or watershed-down) effect of stimulating the economy.
