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Saturday, November 19, 2005Global Trading and Perspective Both groups headed to the huge space that reminds me of what British authour and mastermind of Harry Potter J.K Rowling pens, The Bronte Creek Project's Great Hall. It's a vast space with huge beams lining the vaulted celings where a wide variety of events and activities are held. We came in off the bus and were sent into groups of several citizens of countries, seven to be exact. Tables were set up around the dining hall each representing one of the countries belonging to the World Trade Organization mimicing life in the reality. We partook in a global trading activity that started with stencils at our table. These stencils must be cut out, by hand in undeveloped nations including Niger, Nigeria & Hati, using protractors and rulers in developing nations including Brazil, Cuba & India and using scissors in the developed nation of Japan. These shapes once cut out must be fabricated constantly using the stack of construction paper on the table. Just as in real life depending on the quality of the product (the shapes) the workers at the Desk would reject or accept the shapes based on a number of factors. These factors being whether the shapes were cut correctly, well formed as well as whether or not they filled the If not then the price was lowered, this especially took a toll on the undeveloped nations such as my country of Nigeria. United Nations meetings were also held periodically with certain trade treaties being formed and agreed upon simulating reality and other disputes settled. A variety of natural resources were also on the table represented by stickers including fish, parrots and other wildlife that could be sold to the World Trade Organization Desk. This game continued on for an hour or so as countries suceeded and struggled. Certain countries rain into deficit as much as 1.5 million for Niger which is much the same as you would have in real life. Wealthy and powerful countries including Japan did extremely well whisking up the money and countries. Very quickly a major alliance formed taking in Cuba almost instaneously along with India, Hati and others. Following the trading a break was taken and all leaders took a repose. We then broke away from our country groups and were led back up again by the COOP students once again, this time with them acting as security guards. They led us into the completely transformed dining hall to one of three eating areas. Two students were sent to sit on the fireplace with nothing, absolutely nothing but a couple costume pieces. These people represented the more than 1.2 billion beggars on the streets across the globe scrambling for morsels of food and a couple coins. This represents over 1/6th of the world's population. Many people living in wealthy countries including Canada, the United States, Eastern Europe as well as Australia and New Zealand live their life in extreme comfort and the bulk of the population would not see or fully comprehend this serious lack of justice, balance and even basics. These two students simply had to go around and beg for everything including a cup, cutlery, water and food. A desperate beggar in India trying to rub off a few coins or a piece of food where the distance between the haves and have nots is one of the highest in the world The next level up from the beggars were the poverty stricken who sat cross legged on a tarp. They represent the more than 2/3 of the globe who live with barely anything. They have very little money from their meagrely paid jobs from picking peaches in Canada & the U.S. to sewing shirts in China or making beds at a Spanish run resort in the Caribbean. They do eat and drink but never or rarely enough and not quality food that is causing them serious malnutrition issues across Africa and across the world. This group of students simply had washed but not cut carrot and celery stalks. Along with bowls of plain white rice and pitchers of water to drink. They were very boerd of eating such a simple meal and got a lot of deliveries of food from the rich and middle class tables. This does occur in the real world though sadly much less than what was occuring at The Bronte Creek Project. These students represented the poor people of the earth.   Another group who made up the middle class of society one that makes up the majority of society in many countries around the world. This as in the article above can be classified into categories of all sorts. This is very much dependant upon those who are doing so. However generally speaking this group does not lap in luxury with palaces, multiple Mercedes or groups of golden gauntlets. These people live a extremely privelaged life even though they don't have every fragment that could have. Depending on what part of this populace you are a part of you can live very comfortably with lots of flexibility. You donate to a series of charities as I do, you are able to partake in quite a bit of travel and own several cars and have the technology and comforts such as air conditioning, heat and space, space in a house where you do not feel cramped up to the person next to you. This group also is made up of those who do have a fair amount but do need to keep an eye on their budjet and spending habits as they have less yet still much more than those in other less fortunate countries. These students sat at the regular painted wooden table used in the dining hall, with cutlery and pitchers of juice. We had toasted pita triangles to begin our meal followed by a bean and vegetable stew. This group that I was personally part of also donated to the poor and beggars as they wished.    The wealthy of the planet have many definitions according to many including in this article in the Global Policy Forum. The wealthy are those who don't have to worry about money, unless they are wasting vast amounts of it or deciding what cause it needs to go to. The line between upper middle class and rich is a dotted line but does have a difference. That difference is simply the level of living is that much higher with the extra creature comforts such as exquisite imported vehicles, lavish trips or vast sums of money that are sent forth to charities such as World Vision Canada. Many are generous and spread this wealth, some take it all for themselves. This collection of cash can be gathered through inheritance through family lines, owning a large corporation or through wise investment and living. For the lunch these select students sat at a linen lined table topped with lit Chinese lanterns, candles and a host of condiments including everything from two types of hot sauce to two types of mustard and all the additions you would ever want. They began their meal with a series of extensive fruit and cheese trays piled high. This continued with a healthy portion of pasta salad. They then feasted on vegetarian burgers with their array of fixings. Following fondue was next up on their table, they dunked large chunks of fruit into the silky smooth chocolate as it simmered over a flame. They were then served coffee tableside from shining stainless steel pitchers. This represented the upper scale of society.       This shows in essence that the top portion of the glass being the majority of the globe's money reserve. Though this is the majority of money used across the planet, it's only used by 20% of the world though its 80% of the cash. The other 20% live or tragically often die off of this remaining corner of currency being the stem of the champagne glass. This truly along spotlights the extreme inequality that we have in our modern day world in 2005. One that we need to continue to crush not create. One that has us giving World Vision a call and not just flipping stations when their commercial comes up on our telelvisions. This lunch truly gave a glimpse into this delicate world we live in together. Living together in my and millions of minds should be one that is shared and enjoyed by all, not just a majority. Each and every one of the 6 billion people walking Earth deserves a chance. A chance to take in life for all it's worth, a chance to see the world for all its worth and a chance live their life for all its worth and then some more. Teague Neal blogged on 4:15 PM
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Teague Neal |
