Vision for better future given voice

See no evil, speak no evil, hear no evil, do no evil – Proverb ;]

Taking action: Glen Waverley Secondary College students Lakshan, Daniel and Caitlin gave up things they enjoyed for the 40 Hour Famine. Picture: Lucy Di Paolo

In his attempt to give a voice to the plight of a billion hungry people in the world, Glen Waverley Secondary College student DANIEL CHRISTIANSZ gave up talking during World Vision’s 40 Hour Famine.

BEING voiceless for 40 hours was a physical, psychological and emotional challenge. Perhaps I have taken for granted my ability and right, in Australia, to voice my opinion without fear. To forego something this important and imperative to my social and school life, even for 40 hours, was a challenge.

Attempting to rehearse with a band, debate with parents and explain to people why I had tape on my mouth proved an arduous task.

Studying for a legal studies test on criminal trial procedure without being able to ask questions was truly tedious. It became difficult to think straight and to be able to solve problems. However, at times it did work in my favour as I was not compelled to respond to some questions people posed.

Although it was a struggle, the connection I felt towards the poor and oppressed became irreversible. I can never again say that I am disconnected to the point of inaction, or that I don’t know what is happening in the wider community.

I am privileged to form part of the Monash Young Persons’ Reference Group, which ensures the voices of Monash youth are heard. Unfortunately, many people in our wider community remain voiceless for their entire life.

The global financial crisis has negatively impacted the lives of countless people across Australia.

Those responsible for this financial crisis have been bailed out and have in some cases received enormous payouts while the true victims, the poor and oppressed, have been forced into poverty.

In the past year the global food crisis, the lesser known GFC, has pushed another 100 million people into poverty. According to the United Nations there are now a billion hungry people in our world. We must never forget that behind every statistic is a face.

What has been described as a ‘triple crisis’ by the United Nations will hurt the poor more than ever. The effects of soaring food prices, climate change and economic instability in Third World and developing countries cannot simply be swept under the carpet.

In Australia, rising food prices may influence us to eat out less but if you are one of the billion hungry people across the world it may mean you do not eat at all.

It is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore that we live in a globalised world. Actions that do and do not take place in Monash will affect people in other countries who we may never meet.

The Monash Fair Trade Steering Committee, which promotes the use of Fair Trade products, is a prime example of how change is being created from a local level.

Although the 40 Hour Famine was a struggle, I strongly believe it was a worthwhile challenge that allowed me to stand in solidarity with the poor, raise awareness for an issue that will define my generation and raise money that will bail the poor out of a financial crisis they did not create.

I encourage you to take action. Choose two ways that you can make a difference within the next week. Visit www.worldvision.com.au to find out different ways that you can be involved.

http://www.monashjournal.com.au/news/local/news/general/vision-for-better-future-given-voice/1610117.aspx

Don’t Trade Lives – Student Forum

In the Third World, slavery still exists, and it is one of the main humanitarian challenges in Australia’s region of the globe. Trafficking in human beings – especially children – for both labour and sex markets is the third most profitable industry in the world, after weapons and drugs.

World Vision is currently involving young people in the “Don’t Trade Lives” campaign, which seeks to raise awareness as to how First World retail choices can make a difference to Third World child labour trafficking.

Tim Costello

GWSC students, leaders with the Vision Generation movement, arranged for Tim Costello, Chris Varney, and Charlotte Baines to present their knowledge and personal insights into the global crisis of human trafficking to a group of around one hundred students, representatives of nine secondary schools.

Chris Varney, former Vision Generation National Co-Director and recently appointed Australian Youth Representative to the United Nations, gave moving personal stories of children he himself has met overseas, children living in slavery brought on by the effects of poverty. He emphasised that the rescue of these children from their circumstances was possible, but that it was a gradual process, with a focus on changing the culture that enables children to be traded into slavery, as well as the often unwitting support of the slave economy by consumers in nations such as Australia.

The campaign is not about boycotting, or about naming and shaming, Mr Varney pointed out, but about seeking to bring about long term change. As part of that long term change, students at the forum were encouraged to base their purchasing decisions on the answer they get when they ask retailers: Does this product come from child labour?

Charlotte Baines, from Monash Council, proudly stated that Monash is one of only three municipalities in Australia to have embraced the Fair Trade movement. Fair Trade seeks to ensure that Third World workers are granted humane working conditions, appropriate pay, and – of course – freedom from child slavery.

Not only are products such as coffee and tea used by the Council Fair Trade, but also the Council is setting up a Monash Fair Trade Steering Committee, to begin a dialogue on how the Council can better meet the needs of residents in supporting a fairer world for all. Ms Baines made the point that councils are traditionally about the three Rs: Roads, Rubbish, and Rates. With the adoption of Fair Trade certification, Monash Council is aiming to introduce a fourth R: Relationships. Ms Baines said that a major Relationships initiative for the council is to respond to resident concerns about Third World poverty.

She encouraged students to become involved in the Steering Committee, to ensure that they have a voice in community decisions on this matter.

Tim Costello, Chief Executive of World Vision Australia, informed the audience of students that “the blow against poverty begins with guys and girls like you.” He related the story of British politician William Wilberforce, who, in the Eighteenth Century, began a movement against slavery by raising awareness that the sugar everyone had in their tea came from slave labour. Having sugar in one’s tea, Wilberforce proclaimed, was having blood on your teeth.

In today’s world, Mr Costello revealed, chocolate is still largely the result of child slave labour, with children being trafficked to the major cocoa producing nations of Ivory Coast and Ghana, to work in the cocoa plantations there. He suggested that, with Easter coming up, students in Australia should be more aware of where their chocolate is coming from, and to support Fair Trade sourced chocolate, rather than chocolate sourced from child labour.

Mr Costello went on to say that each generation has to ask itself two questions: What’s acceptable in my world? What do I do about those things which are not acceptable?

Furthermore, the question each individual in that generation has to ask him- or herself, Mr Costello said, was: Do I matter?

One way to matter, he proposed, was to stand up to injustice, such as the child slavery that the forum had been discussing. In question time, Mr Costello said that he drew his motivation to go on with often seemingly hopeless campaigns from being “chained to hope”. He said that he believed that one day, perhaps in the time of the audience’s generation, child slavery and world poverty would, indeed, become things that only existed in history.

Following the presentations and question time, students broke into groups to discuss ideas as to how they might personally address the issues that they had been hearing about.

- By Mr Schlosser

Cadbury adopts Fairtrade source

Tuesday, 3 March 2009

By Daniel Howden, Africa Correspondent

Farmers in Ghana will enjoy a guaranteed income and more profit

The Fairtrade movement hailed a major breakthrough yesterday with the announcement that Britain’s biggest-selling chocolate brand was switching to the ethical standard. Cadbury’s Dairy Milk, which sells 300 million bars a year in the UK and Ireland, will source its cocoa from Fairtrade farmers in Ghana, the biggest brand of its kind to make the move.

“This is groundbreaking news for thousands of small farmers in Ghana, enabling all those who buy it to make a real difference,” said Cadbury’s chief executive, Todd Stitzer. The Fairtrade mark was set up as a way of guaranteeing developing world farmers a bigger share of the money generated from products using their raw materials. Some 7.5 million people, including farmers, workers and their families, benefit from products displaying the Fairtrade symbol.

“Farmers are saying that it’s impossible to make ends meet,” said Fairtrade’s head, Harriet Lamb. “People don’t see cocoa as a future. They don’t get enough cash from cocoa so there’s not enough investment.” The new project is designed to create a “virtuous circle” by putting a floor on the price and offering a premium for higher quality beans. “With more income, farmers invest to improve quality and productivity,” she added. “Then they start to spread the benefits and you see banks popping up in villages and thriving markets appearing.”

Forty thousand of Ghana’s 700,000 cocoa farmers will benefit from the first phase of the Cadbury venture, tripling the country’s Fairtrade cocoa production. “Young people are giving up and moving to the cities where there are often no jobs,” Ms Lamb said. “We hope this can be a turning point for the industry.”

Benjamin Atiemo from the cocoa-growing village of Adjeikrom expects to benefit. He said he was concerned about the future of cocoa unless farmers could increase their yields and incomes. Ms Lamb said seven out of 10 people in the UK had heard of Fairtrade products and would buy them if their favourite brands offered the choice.

Cocoa is Ghana’s biggest cash crop and second-largest export earner. The industry has encountered increasing difficulties. Deforestation has reduced the necessary rainforest cover for cocoa cultivation and fragmentation of cocoa farms into hundreds of thousands of smallholdings has inhibited investment.

A Fair Deal With Fair Trade

Hooray! Monash City Council has gone Fairtrade!

Monash City Council has chosen to support a fair deal for disadvantaged producers in developing countries and is calling for nominations for those who wish to be part of Monash’s ‘Fair Trade Steering Group’.

Following a proposal by Deputy Mayor, Charlotte Baines on 28 October last year, Council agreed to switch to products that do not promote poor conditions in developing countries, but instead use Fair Trade products, specifically tea, coffee and chocolate.

“The Fair Trade movement is changing the lives of millions of farmers, workers and their families. I am very proud that the City of Monash has agreed to be part of this very worthy international movement,” said Cr Baines.

Last week, Council agreed to establish a Fair Trade Steering Group, comprising of eight voluntary members to help promote the benefits of Fair Trade to the community and local businesses.

“We would particularly like to encourage residents and representatives from community organisations and businesses to submit an expression of interest in helping us to be a leader in social responsibility,” said Cr Baines.

In the coming months, Council will be developing new initiatives for businesses, schools and local groups to encourage broader community support for ‘Fair Trade’ products.

For further information or to receive a copy of the Fair Trade Steering Group’s Terms of Reference, please contact Priya Prasad on 9518 3577 or email priyap@monash.vic.gov.au.

Source – “http://monash.vic.gov.au/news/bulletin2009/bulletin-24feb09p4.htm“

Vgen Summer Challenge

Vision Generation has set the Summer Challenge. There will be prizes for those who have demonstrated that they have completed this four part summer challenge.

Download & print this Summer Challege HERE

Challenge # 1: Meet your Member of Parliament
at their local office & inform them about the issues & the campaign

• Talk to them about:
• human trafficking
• the Don’t Trade Lives campaign and
  your thoughts about the Australian chocolate industry’s inadequate response to the call to end child labour in cocoa harvesting.

Ensure your MP knows that Asia has by far the highest level of individuals trafficked and enslaved, and that those trafficked for labour purposes greatly outweighs those that are trafficked into the sex trade. Tell him/her that you want to see Australia take the lead to end trafficking in our region.

REMINDER: for those of you who met an MP during Trek, please also send that MP a personalised letter of thanks ASAP and cc a copy to us. Include a World Vision’s “Smiles” gift that you have purchased for them as a gesture of thanks. This will work best as purely a thanks and not to ask them for anything!

Challenge # 2 : Help spread the word!
(the Watch Forward Challenge!)

Hundreds of VGenners and tens of thousands of Australians have been shocked to learn the reality of how their chocolate is made: with the aid of child labour and exploitation. But not everyone knows about this yet.

• Watch the clip ‘Big Chocolate – Bubbles of Nothing @ youtube.com/worldvisionstir or on the DTL website
• Share this clip via email to 50 friends and/or colleagues and through your Facebook account
• Challenge them to share your friends to forward it to 50 people they know!

Challenge # 3 : Speak out – Demand Ethical Chocolate

What to do:

• make two phone calls to different stores each week from now until end December. (For telephone numbers of leading supermarkets and department stores, refer to the Action page at DontTradeLives.com.au.)
• Tell your local department store and supermarkets that you’d buy ethical chocolate if they stocked it; and
• Tell your supermarkets that you’d love to see them using Fairtrade cocoa in their own home brands.

Challenge #4: Contact 10 chocolate boutiques

This can be in person or by mail and encourage them to switch to ethical chocolate.
For chocolate boutiques to promote themselves as truly stylish, they require more than fashionability, they must have integrity and quality.

For contact details of your local chocolate boutiques, visit their websites:

• Koko Black www.kokoblack.com.au
• Max Brenner www.maxbrenner.com.au
• San Churro www.sanchurro.com.au
• The Chocolate Room www.thechocolateroom.com.au

Send all your stories and succeses to donttradelives@vgen.org & they will add your story to http://www.vgen.blogspot.com/!

- Source: http://vgen.blogspot.com/2008/12/vgen-summer-challenge.html

10 Shocking Facts About Global Slavery in 2008

Written by Caroline Ny

2008 witnesses the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade in America. Amidst the celebrations, what many people fail to realize is that slavery persists today in the modern world on an enormous scale.

In spite of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the UN in 1948 stating that “slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms,” the figures accompanying the modern slave trade seem inconceivable in a global society that prides itself upon its modern-day values and emphasis on human rights.

1. There are more people in slavery now than at any other time in human history.

According to research carried out by the organization Free the Slaves, more people are enslaved worldwide than ever before.

In its 400 years, the transatlantic slave trade is estimated to have shipped up to 12 million Africans to various colonies in the West. Free the Slaves estimates that the number of people in slavery today is at least 27 million.

The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center suggests that three out of four slavery victims are women and that half of all modern-day slaves are children. ‘Countless other’ people are in other forms of servitude which are not legally classified as slavery, according to the Anti-Slavery Society, described ambiguously by some as ‘unfree labour’.

2. The value of slaves has decreased.

A slave in 1850 in American South cost the equivalent of approximately $40,000. According to figures published by FST, the cost of a slave today averages around $90, depending on the work they are forced to carry out.

Photo by saibotregeel

A young adult male laborer in Mali might only fetch $40, whereas an HIV-free female might attract a price of up to $1000.

Expert Kevin Bales says that because modern slavery is so cheap, it is worse than that of the Atlantic slave trade.

People have become disposable and their living conditions are worse than ever before as a result of their value.

3. Slavery still exists in the US.

Estimates by the US State Department suggest up to 17,500 slaves are brought into the US every year, with 50,000 of those working as prostitutes, farm workers or domestic servants.

According to the CIA, more than 1,000,000 people are enslaved in the US today. Thousands of cases go undetected each year and many are difficult to take to court as it can be difficult to prove force or legal coercion.

4.Slavery is hidden behind many other names, thus disguising it from society.

These names are chattel slavery (the traditional meaning of slavery), bonded labor, trafficking, forced labor, and forced marriage, amongst others.

Photo by saibotregeel

5. The least known method of slavery is the most widely used.

Bonded Labor occurs when labor is demanded in order to repay a debt or loan and the cyclical nature of debt and work can enslave the person for the rest of their life. Some conditions are so controlled that slaves are surrounded by armed guards while they work, many of whom are slaves themselves. This has been found in Brazil. It is estimated that there are 20 million bonded labourers in the world.

6. Human trafficking has recently been described as “the fastest growing criminal enterprise in the world.”

This shocking claim was made by former Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright. The UN estimates trafficked human cargo generates around $7 billion dollars a year.

Photo by gigawebs

7. To buy all bonded laborers out of slavery could cost as little as $40 per family.

The $40 figure was provided by the Center for Global Education, New York. Kevin Bales compares the total cost of ending all slavery with one’s week’s cost of the war on Iraq.

8. Free the Slaves believe it is possible to end all slavery within 25 years.

Ending slavery won’t be easy, but humanity is up to the challenge.

9. Many slave-produced goods might reach your home without you realizing their origin.

Industries where slave labor is often highly suspected include cocoa, cotton, steel, oriental rugs, diamonds and silk. Currently the only way to ensure the products you buy are slave-free is to buy Fair Trade certified goods.

Photo by saibotregeel

10. Your actions affect global slavery.

By buying fair trade, learning more about modern slavery, spreading the word, and joining a movement such as Don’t Trade Lives you as an individual can help abolish slavery completely.

With the number of slaves rising due to increasing economic returns, a universal lack of awareness and anti-slavery laws not being enforced, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center believes “efforts to combat slavery will have only limited effectiveness” unless something is done on a larger scale.

The bicentennial of the abolition of the slave trade would be better commemorated by every individual taking meaningful action to help end the exploitation of human labor once and for all.

Find the full article @ http://matadorchange.com/10-shocking-facts-about-global-slavery-in-2008/

Selfless teens act

BY KIRSTEN LEIMINGER

10/11/2008 11:05:00 AM

Fair’s fair: Danielle, Daniel, Nicola and Priscilla will fight to end global poverty. Picture: Lucy Di Paolo

GLEN Waverley students are challenging the ’selfish teenager’ stereotype by using their spare time to fight global poverty.

Four students from Glen Waverley Secondary College’s ‘Vision Group’ have been invited to World Vision’s Trek Against Trafficking campaign in Canberra on November 24-27.

There, the group will learn about slavery and trafficking, particularly in the cocoa trade.

Year 12 student Daniel Christiansz, 17, said it was unfair to label young people as “selfish”.

“I think we live in an age where statistics form attitudes,” Daniel said.

“I think many young people can see the economic failings of a society that gets its wants and needs sorely confused.”.

Last month, the group met more than 60 schoolmates and plans to invite business representatives to listen to their message.

Daniel said spreading the word created consumer awareness, which was vital for change.

The group wants to promote practical alternatives, such as buying ‘Fair Trade’ products as opposed to products sourced from slave trade and other unjust methods.

World Vision estimates more than 600,000 children work on West African cocoa fields, which produce 70 per cent of the world’s cocoa.

Of these children, 80 per cent are exposed to dangerous working conditions.

Details: vgen.blogspot.com

Source – http://monash.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/selfless-teens-act/1356224.aspx

Councillor to make bold fair trade pitch

BY KIRSTEN LEIMINGER

27/10/2008 11:09:00 AM

A COUNCILLOR will pitch a bold proposal to make Monash a “Fair Trade Community” at Tuesday’s council meeting.Cr Charlotte Baines will recommend the council adopts the Fair Trade Association of Australia and New Zealand’s fair trade community guidelines and meets the terms of the program within 12 months.

The proposal will commit the council to serving Fair Trade-certified products at its meetings and in its offices.

If agreeing to adopt the guidelines, the council would be the second in Victoria, joining the City of Yarra, and the third in Australia to become a ‘fair trade’ council.

Fair Trade is a social movement which ensures farmers in developing countries are paid a fair price for their produce and not subjected to unsafe working conditions.

Under the plan, a steering group would be formed with a council representative and people representing schools, churches, community groups and businesses

to encourage the wider use of Fair Trade products.

“This is a very exciting opportunity for the City of Monash to become a leader within Victoria as well as Australia, to take up social responsibility and encourage the benefits provided by fair trade,” Cr Baines said.

She will also lobby for a Fair Trade Award at the Monash Business Awards.

The initial cost for the council would be $982, including a one-off joining fee of $850 from the association.

World Vision estimates more than 600,000 children work on cocoa fields in West Africa, which produces 70 per cent of the world’s cocoa. Of these children, 80 per cent are exposed to potentially dangerous working conditions, including the unprotected use of chemicals, carrying heavy loads and using machetes.

http://monash.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/councillor-to-make-bold-fair-trade-pitch/1344192.aspx

Youths rally for vision of fairer world

BY KIRSTEN LEIMINGER

22/09/2008 11:39:00 AM

A RIPPLE effect in Melbourne’s suburbs has turned one young voice into hundreds in a bid to make a difference in the world.Glen Waverley Secondary College’s “vision group” is one of many that will convene in Camberwell on Tuesday to campaign against child slavery.

Student Gabriel Wong, 16, co-founded the group after hearing about the concept on a visit to Emmaus College.

In turn, the Emmaus College students started their group after hearing about the idea from a different school.

“I agree with the concept ‘think globally, act locally’,” Gabriel said.

“There are a lot of things we can do as individuals that make real differences in the world.”

Gabriel said vision groups were having a ripple effect in Melbourne’s suburbs.

“It’s like a cell. Hopefully we will be able to influence our community and the Monash municipality and get other schools involved.”

Gabriel said child trafficking enslaved 27 million people on a global basis and there were practical ways to help, such as buying fair trade products.

The products guarantee no child labour is involved in the production process.

The GWSC vision group will attend World Vision’s rally against child slavery at Camberwell Baptist Church, 460 Riversdale Rd, Camberwell Junction, Tuesday, 9am-5.30pm. Cost: $10. Details: vgroup.wordpress.com

http://monash.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/youths-rally-for-vision-of-fairer-world/1279050.aspx

Eat, Drink, Cook…

TOP FIVE … FAIR TRADE -A2 Saturday, August 16th, 2008

COFFEE

Consumer choice is a powerful weapon, especially on the issue of fair trade, where a shopper’s selection can mean the difference between workers being exploited or being paid fairly. Community consciousness about how various foods are sourced has risen dramatically in recent years, thanks in part to the Fair Trade Association of Australia and New Zealand. It labels goods under the global umbrella body for certification, Fairtrade Labelling Organisations International. Local labels such as the Real Alliance, Coffex, Jasper Coffee, Reuplica and even Coles home brand have taken a strong stand on coffee selling their own FTAANZ-certified beans, ground or instant coffee, plus other products. "Smallholder coffee farmers running family farms and smalls plots growing their own coffee tend not to get a fair price and to be at the mercy of operators and middlemen who pay them whatever they want to pay," says Cameron Neil, the FTAANZ’s certification-labelling manager. "What fair trade does is that it ensures that these farmers are paid a minimum price that covers the cost of sustainable production; they get a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work and are able to feed and clothe their families and send their children to school and put some money aside for the future." The FTAANZ website lists retailer selling fair trade-certified products in Melbourne, marked with the logo (pictured). -www.fta.org.au

Chocolate/cocoa

This is becoming the sexiest fair trade product – and the most topical – and local retailer Chocolatier has just launched dark and milk chocolate thins certified by the FTAANZ. With chocolate so popular in Melbourne, the pressure is on other retailers to follow suit. "We have been aware for almost a decade that cocoa produced out of Ghana and Ivory Coast very often involves child slavery," says Neil. "That’s not something anyone wants to support. With the increasing popularity of chocolate and cocoa products, people need to understand – and the industry needs to understand – they are getting a product that doesn’t involve child slavery." Jasper Coffee is also about to launch a certified drinking chocolate. -chocolatier.com.au

Tea

The FTAANZ has found that with tea, inequtieis for workkers commonly exist on big plantations as well as small holdings. "Fair trade protects workers, helping them to get correct workers, helping them ot get correct wages, as well as making an investment in improving conditions for them and their families," says Neil. local label Nerada has a range of fair trade teas, as does Jasper and Alter Eco.

Rice and quinoa

"Rice is something that is pretty close to us in our region," says Neil. "We eat a lot of rice and many people wouldn’t think about where it comes from and the conditions in which it is grown." Choosing fair trade certifies that growers are being looked after – and are better able to look after their land. Alter Eco Pacific sells Thai, coral and purple jasmine rice – the latter a uniquely coloured grain that is glutinous when cooked. Quinoa is a high-protein grain grown in Bolivia. -alterecopacific.com

Sugar

While most sugar sold locally is Australian-grown with good conditions for workers, not all imported sugar has such a reputation, The Australian owned Jasper Coffee company, which describes itself as being committed to "rehumanising the coffee supply chain", has expanded its repertoire to include other beverages (tea and chocolate) – and yesterday launched its new range of sugar, including one-kilogram and four-kilogram caterer’s bags, plus sugar portion sticks for cafes. -jaspercoffee.com

- By Andrew Stephens. Andrew Stephens is a staff writer for The Age’s A2 section on Saturdays, focusing on arts, culture and food.