mining justice

Exploiting the natural resources of other countries is nothing terribly new in the history of world. What was once activity controlled by governments and national armies has only shifted to become the business of private companies and multinational corporations.

Having recently been more interested in the issue of mining in Honduras, I have come across some helpful articles and videos from MCC Canada's mining justice advocacy site. I was shocked to learn that around the world, 75% of companies involved in mining are Canadian based companies. That is astounding to me!

In a few short months I will be moving to Santa Rosa de Copan, an important town near the western border of Honduras that has been involved in mining advocacy for years. The pastor of the Mennonite church in Santa Rosa, outspoken against Canadian mining, left Honduras for threats to his life a few years ago.

As I wrote in another post about fear and justice, it is hard to know how to move forward in difficult work like this. People have tried to stand up for the rights of many Honduran people who have little say in what mining companies can do on their ancestral land. But if someone gets too outspoken, death threats become the remedy. And this is not just among the mining companies--this is common practice all over Honduras...whether it's someone speaking out against labor rights violations, drug trafficking or disrupting gang territory.

I am interested to move to Santa Rosa and become involved in the Mennonite congregation there, previously well-known for their advocacy work. While it seems that fear has taken hold among the outspoken, I am eager to learn more and find out how MCC Honduras might be of encouragement to the church, and even step up with more advocacy measures.

Policy analyst for MCC Latin America Advocacy Program, Adrienne Wiebe, has been tracking these issues for quite some time. She has made mining justice one of the top 4 priorities for Latin American advocacy, as it is an issue that has resounding impact throughout the region. She just posted a concise overview of some more recent developments in lobbying for better mining laws in Honduras. I'd encourage you to read this and more at her MCC Latin America Advocacy blog.

Here is a great video MCC Canada put together in 2010 about mining in Guatemala and Honduras:

http://ottawa.mcc.org/stories/videos/la

And this is a shorter video from the Mennonite pastor who left Honduras. If you only have a bit of time, watch this one:

http://ottawa.mcc.org/stories/videos/gold-mine

0 comments | Posted by Charissa |

global debt crisis

Apparently the IMF is bathing luxuriously in all it's excess cash. According to MCC's Washington advocacy office:

Citizens all over the globe are suffering from multiple crises they had no hand in creating: the global economic downturn, high fuel costs and food prices now spiking to all-time highs. Meanwhile, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is sitting on $2.8 billion in excess cash, due to higher-than-expected profits from the sale of some of its gold. This week, the IMF Executive Board will discuss what to do with it.

The IMF hardly needs the money, since it already received a $7 billion endowment from gold sales and will bring in $500 million in profits this year from increased lending to countries in crisis. They’re doing so well that they are even planning to refurbish their Washington D.C. headquarters.

While the IMF has extra cash, the World Bank estimates that 44 million people have already been pushed into extreme poverty due to rising food prices. Many of the poorest countries are taking on heavy new debt burdens. Payments on these loans could divert critical resources away from health, education and food for years to come.

This is not a new crisis, but the new call or petition is to put pressure on the IMF to help offer debt relief to countries that are bound by all this credit. Here is a good overview of how this free flowing credit wound up hurting more than helping.

And if you feel so inclined, you can sign the petition to the IMF.

0 comments | Posted by Charissa |

unrest

I have been following the people's protest of government rule in Egypt with a careful watch. Trying to keep up with the details via news sources and blogs has been very interesting.

As the sparks that caught wind in Tunisia and Egypt are now spreading to many other northern African and middle eastern countries, there are lots of details to keep track of, and lots of critical analysis to be done.

Of course, political tensions in this entire region are nothing new...and one even wonders if John P. Newsreader even cares about headlines involving names like "Bahrain, Yemen and Syria." I have my doubts about American society at-large and their interest in international affairs...but I digress.

There is a helpful summary of the unrest in the Middle East that I found on CNN's website. I'd encourage you to check it out.

What strikes me as I read all of these updates on political protests, about the uprisings of the people who have been repressed by their government for so long is how can this all transpire at once? How can there be so many governments, with so many horrible leaders, with such extensive lists of human rights violations, and all the spectators of the world simply watch as the people of each respective nation attempt to speak up for change?

Then I stop for a second and think of how many of these nations were negatively impacted by colonizing countries for decades of their political history. For so long, the people have been repressed--first by outsiders, then by "their" own revolutionaries. But the root of the problem is leadership. People lead by example. Leaders learn how to lead from what they've seen and experienced. If one is only exposed to corrupt leaders and those who usurp power for selfish ends, then the expectations of having power will only continue the cycle of selfish, corrupt leaders. There is no way for the cycle to end until there are opportunities for people to learn a different way to lead.

So who can be this example of leadership? Who can be the role model for future government leaders? Just because some Western nations are not burning with angst and uprisings does not mean they have the answers either. There is just as much corruption in the tranquility of "democracy." And have we not learned that forcing democracy on nations with deeply rooted cultural differences is not always the right answer?

I am saddened by the lack of integrity in governments around the world...saddened by the human rights violations in so many corners of the world, especially those where people aren't even able to speak out...saddened that there are so few examples of ethical leaders to be role models for the reformers and protesters bringing the next wave of political change.

But even with all of this, I am encouraged by these sparks of uprising. I am encouraged that there are people who are risking their lives to stand up for what they truly believe in. I am encouraged that as a defiant "no" echoes in one small country, perhaps the reverberations of that "no" can make space for some great change in others. Maybe this happenstance unity among people in northern Africa is the catalyst needed to change the corrupt leadership that has dominated for so long.

0 comments | Posted by Charissa |

empowerment & the church

I have been living in Honduras for about 11 weeks now and it has been a great experience. I have been working with a Christian micro-lending organization in Tegucigalpa and am learning a lot about the ins and outs of how the organization is run, the day to day tasks of micro-lending and the continual battles the loan officers face with clients. In short, a lot of things that aren't featured in NGO magazines and development articles.

One big piece is the cultural aspects that leave their own impression on this bank program in Nueva Suyapa. Since the bank has been operating for more than 15 years, there is a definite client culture within the program. But apart from that, there are many aspects of Honduran culture that add interesting dimensions to the whole thing; much of which is still new, entertaining, frustrating, and confusing to me.

So, some things I have recently been observing...

While there are some problems with the bank program, a lot of good has come from the program over the years. A lot of the impact is visible--people in the community are able to improve their houses; many started with small businesses that are now much bigger; the health and even safety of the area is markedly improved. But there are lots of invisible changes too. A lot of women come from abusive homes or marriages, and the ministry here has made support groups for these women a priority. Empowering women to become leaders of new projects and take ownership for new business ideas is one of the most exciting things to see.

The bank program is connected to wider ministry program here in the neighborhood. In addition to the loan program, there is a Christian elementary and high school, day care programs, garden projects, support groups for domestic violence, and more. All of these ministries are interconnected, and many of the employees in all the various ministries attend the same church.

The interesting thing is, this church is very conservative. While we could delve into the different levels of conservative-ness, really, there is just one that I'm dwelling on these days. From what I know of the church services, women are not allowed to speak from the pulpit, they do not lead in worship, or really speak in the service at all. They wear coverings on their heads and are only permitted to share when they are in a female-only group. Now, I understand this is also part of my background and heritage, growing up in the Mennonite church. I also realize there are still many churches, even in the US, that would have similar practices when it comes to women serving in the church...

But right now, for me, all of that is irrelevant. In dealing with the tensions of cross-cultural service, I'm finding this irony really frustrating. These coworkers and colleagues work daily to contribute to the education and development of hundreds of families in the community, yet believe women should not be speaking, sharing, or leading in the church. With a mission statement so focused on bearing witness to the life and message of Jesus Christ, I find this dichotomized lifestyle so incredibly...incomprehensible. They are willing and able to empower women in taking control of their finances, emotional health, family problems, health, education...and somehow reconcile this with the silence of women in the church.

I could get into all the theological and hermeneutical reasons for why I believe what I believe...and I have tried to engage a few people on this very topic. However, a debate on Paul's writings is not really what I'm looking for. I guess I'm looking for acknowledgement of this dichotomy...an admittance that maybe it is odd that we work so hard to empower women during the work week, but ignore them in the church. If they have so much to offer this community in their businesses and work-life, do we not also believe they have contributions to make to the life of the church as well?

So, I'm also trying to decide why this bothers me so much. And why there isn't a good word for "empowerment" in Spanish. And how I can express these thoughts in a constructive way. Any one want to help explain all of this to me?

1 Comment | Posted by Charissa |

the danger of a single story

Such a powerful video and eloquent speaker. Please check this out...its worth 18 minutes of your time.

0 comments | Posted by Charissa |

half the sky

Just finished reading Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide by Nicholas Kristof & Sheryl WuDunn. It came highly recommended from my good friend Desiree. A kindred spirit, she is (:

I wanted to read this book when it was first released and so was excited to dig in. This book speaks out against human rights violations all over the world, especially as they relate to women and girls in the developing world. As I have written many times on this blog, development and empowerment are eternally interconnected. More specifically, the empowerment of women in any culture or society has been shown to drastically impact the development of an economy.

Half the Sky turned out to be quite a bit different from many of the development books I read. Often they are loaded with stats and facts and can tend to be a bit dry and boring (perhaps you are not surprised by this, as they often relate to economics...but we'll leave that for another day). This book was very accessible and much more narrative in it's delivery.

This book provided a helpful overview of

the many forms of oppression that hinder development
a plethora of stories--real women who have struggled to overcome (some successful, some less so)
the different sectors of development (education, health, economy, law, etc.) and how they are tied to the bigger picture of women's rights

Read More 0 comments | Posted by Charissa |

the long term long haul

My last few posts have focused on Haiti: the aftermath, recovery, & NGO presence. I am committed to continuing some discussion on this, but am having trouble finding good information on the good. What I mean is, there is a plethora of information on the organizations who are dumping money into a country that is already bloated with relief aid--but where is all the 24/7 media coverage of the follow-up? Where can we get info about the organizations making a difference, involving Haitians in their development work and starting to rebuild towns and neighborhoods?

Though you may think me a tad bit biased, I did find some encouraging info regarding the Mennonite Central Committee's (MCC) commitment to long-term recovery initiatives in Haiti. With donations exceeding $13 million, MCC plans to use this money wisely over the next 3-5 years, investing first in Port-au-Prince and then moving the focus to the Artibonite Valley where other MCC programming is already established.

"From food security and education to economic development and housing, the plans are designed to empower Haitians to rebuild their communities better than they were before the Jan. 12 earthquake. The rebuilding plan is intentionally holistic, focusing on multiple areas of support,"

Here is a brief look at their priorities:

Emergency assistance: Distribute food in the Port-au-Prince area until May when cash-for-work programs will be offered. Urban and rural distribution of relief kits, tarps and tents, first aid kits, water filters and sheets and comforters will continue through the summer.

Economic development and food security: Support cash-for-work projects in areas damaged by the earthquake; develop income-generation projects and improve agriculture and irrigation systems in the Artibonite Valley.

Housing: Hire one person to assess new housing arrangements for people in nine camps for internally displaced persons in Port-au-Prince, where MCC has been working from the beginning of its emergency response. This priority also includes assisting with temporary to permanent housing for displaced people in the Artibonite Valley.

Education: Assist the Ecumenical Foundation for Peace and Justice (FOPJ) to buy land and build a primary school in Port-au-Prince; explore ways to expand educational infrastructure in the Artibonite Valley to accommodate those who have migrated there from the capital; consider adding university or vocational education opportunities there.

Health: Address sanitation and water needs in camps for internally displaced persons in and near Port-au-Prince; explore collaboration with other organizations and the Haitian Ministry of Health to provide expanded health services in the Artibonite Valley.

The cornerstone of MCC's philosophy in Haiti (and in many other regions of the world) is partnership. MCC is cautious not to squander the Haitians' efforts, but instead works with local people and offers help where it is needed most. When many relief organizations stormed in with free food and no plan for distribution, MCC avoided violence and security issues by requiring a community council within the tent cities of 4,000 to 5,000 that they aided. These councils play a crucial role in organizing people and their needs as the distributions arrived.

Reducing the dependence on food distribution is MCC's main task for now...

Read More 1 Comment | Posted by Charissa |

the republic of NGOs

This video is pretty much everything I wanted to say yesterday... just a little more professional.
Very challenging and thought provoking.

If you go to the website, you can see a transcript of the whole thing, if you prefer that to watching the video.

0 comments | Posted by Charissa |

hurt, hope and help for haiti

so...lets talk about Haiti.

I know you probably think it's getting a little boring, and yes, there are many articles & blogs about helping Haiti and why there hasn't been more lasting change in a country rife with foreign aid and NGOs...

but seriously. I want to have a real conversation about this. We don't see it every day in the news any more, but Haiti is still there. More importantly, Haitians, real people, are still hungry, and homeless and hurting...

I think we need to look at how money is being spent. Where is it all going? Who is it really helping? Are lives being changed for the better--or is this the biggest band-aid we've used in the Western hemisphere to cover up a wound that has been oozing for decades?

Who is on the ground running the show? And who is battling the corruption that keeps the common people stuck in poverty?

I just saw an article today from USAToday (via my Sojourner's email) that quotes Wyclef Jean, a native Haitian and big-time musician in the US speaking out against the lack of help for Haitians despite the deluge of NGOs working there. Now...I also have some issues with the way Jean is using money and running his own non-profit group, but it is worth questioning. He says:

"There's a million people living out of tents, and, my God, if you saw it and I was to tell you how many NGOs (non-governmental organizations) are in Haiti, you'd be saying, 'How come nobody got them out of those tents?' "

I guess what bugs me more is the fact that this happens all over the world, but for some reason we only care when a natural disaster hits and exacerbates an already sad situation. How did we let this go on for so long? And how are relief and development NGOs being held responsible the world over?

Take some time to read Jean's comments in the full article (http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/life/20100510/yelehaiti10_st.art.htm) I think there are some good ideas. The biggest need I see in all of this is something that he briefly mentions--job creation. We must let Haitians take part in the reconstruction of their country. They don't need continual handouts...they are hardworking people. It is my belief that there are many structures of oppression in Haiti that prevent people from participating in the economic system and this is where reform needs to happen.

I want this to start a series of posts relating to this topic, so I'm going to look for some articles about GOOD stuff happening in Haiti and highlight some organizations that are doing good, honest work there. It is important to question things and critique, but also worthy of our time to applaud those who get it right and do it well.

Post some thoughts or comments or links to orgs who have done a few things right.

2 comments | Posted by Charissa |

zero rupee notes

Fighting corruption is no small task in the developing world. Whether its extortion payments to a loan shark, or a demand to pay extra for services that should be free to the public, this is common practice in many countries. And to combat this corruption is no small task! It often hurts the poorest in society the most, and because they can't afford the bribe, they lose out on other services that perpetuate the cycle of poverty they are stuck in.

One NGO in India is trying to protest corruption in its own way--by printing rupee bank notes that are worth nothing! 5th Pillar's initiative is to mobilize citizens trapped by bribe payments to fight corruption.

"...the idea was first conceived by an Indian physics professor at the University of Maryland, who, in his travels around India, realized how widespread bribery was and wanted to do something about it. He came up with the idea of printing zero-denomination notes and handing them out to officials whenever he was asked for kickbacks as a way to show his resistance. [5th Pillar] took this idea further: to print them en masse, widely publicize them, and give them out to the Indian people. He thought these notes would be a way to get people to show their disapproval of public service delivery dependent on bribes. The notes did just that. The first batch of 25,000 notes were met with such demand that 5th Pillar has ended up distributing one million zero-rupee notes to date since it began this initiative."

There are a couple of factor that have contributed to the success of the zero rupee note...
>Bribery is a crime in India punishable by jail time
>Corrupt officials rarely encounter resistance, so when someone does have the courage to stand against it, they get scared. Its makes a strong statement about condemning bribery.
>Officials want to keep their jobs and are scared of consequences/jail time if they are found out

The managers of 5th Pillar believe that the greatest success of the rupee note lies in people's willingness to use them. People have been empowered to stand up for change. They realize they have nothing to lose, and feel that they are being backed up by an organization--they are not alone in this struggle.

When I first read this article I was a little skeptical that it could work...I mean, wouldn't people just ignore the counterfeit bill and then use some form of violence or intimidation to get the real money they want? But this idea of subtle resistance to societal expectations is what peaceful resistance is all about! Empowering people to believe they don't have to take what has always been handed out is a transformative social movement. Believing you can make a difference with what you have in your hand is the fertile soil development needs to take root.

0 comments | Posted by Charissa |

Effect Change, Affect the World

...Eaffect is the dream of 4 friends who hope to use their knowledge and skills to impact the lives of others...
...This blog is about exploring how we can reduce poverty in developing countries through economic development...Looking at the trends, headlines, and innovations to discuss, challenge, and critique what changes will sustain positive economic growth around the world

mining justice

global debt crisis

unrest

empowerment & the church

the danger of a single story

half the sky

the long term long haul

the republic of NGOs

hurt, hope and help for haiti

zero rupee notes

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