NEIDEEP

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

"They say they will keep their pledges on Africa but it is remarkable. In a 25 page document we can't see any evidence of how they are going to get to those. It is a maze. It is not real in any language. We are looking for accountable language and numbers. I might be a rock star but I can count." Bono

The last few weeks have wizzed by for me... I can hardly keep track. On April 28, I was in Hopkinton, New Hampshire at a Peace Conference. It was a wonderful day with brilliant speakers and workshops. Instead of the two workshops I was supposed to attend, I ended up going to part of four. I was thrilled to see so many making the link between poverty and terrorism.

Then, in May, I had the awesome experience of meeting the Rt. Rev. Chilton Knudsen, Bishop of the Diocese of Maine. I wrote an article for a local paper, and, as you may suspect, was able to get extreme poverty mentioned by quoting her! She also gave me some insight on how to get through to some hard headed Episcopalians here in central Maine who do not feel we should waste our time and resources on helping people living in extreme poverty when people have it rough here... Her magic words? "Tell them to pray," she said. It was so obvious, I never thought about it...

Well, the G8 Summit just ended and it appears as though the cause de jour of extreme poverty passed the eight leaders of the world's wealthiest nations by...

Bono was in Germany, speaking privately with world leaders. It seems as though Canada and Italy are the obstacles to a better deal. However, I am extremely disappointed in my own country. We forgave debt, but put conditions on aid.

Ann Fisher, editor of the Sun Chronicle, was anxious to post my Mainely Musings column this week about the G8 Summit:

Here is a copy of it, just filed:

After the media blitz, Live8 concert and demonstration of hundreds of thousands of people at the 2005 G8 Summit in Gleneagles, Scotland, last week’s G8 Summit was a vast disappointment for those in developing counties as well as concerned citizens around the world.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel hosted this year’s summit in Heiligendamm, Germany. The Group of 8, or G8, consists of the leaders of the eight most industrialized nations in the world: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

The topic of discussion was to be climate change. Germany called for the following criteria: limit global temperature increase to two degrees centigrade; cut green house emissions to 1990 levels by 2050; and increase energy efficiency by 20% by the year 2020. UK Prime Minister Tony Blair said, “For the first time everybody is now saying we need this global deal on climate change and everybody is prepared to be part of it and everybody knows the substantial essence of it is a reduction of emissions. Now, we need them to go far further, but that is the core of a new global deal and that is what we’ve been working for.”

However, Blair’s “everybody” does not include President Bush who is reluctant to set limits on carbon emissions. Washington further backed up this sentiment by releasing a statement last week saying that it will not sign up to binding targets on climate change. Meanwhile, China and India are looking to follow the US as their own energy programs surge ahead.

The Summit risked total collapse as Russia’s President Putin lambasted the US for our desire to position missile shields in Europe. Putin feels that these shields would be a direct threat to his country’s infrastructure since Iran and other US enemies do not have the capabilities for long-range missiles. Putin is tired of the West’s preaching at him in view of this latest development.

As the summit progressed, the world learned that the pledges, made in Gleneagles two years ago for aid to developing countries, are far behind, except for debt cancellation to 18 qualifying African countries. Half of the promised fifty billion dollars in aid, earmarked for Africa, must arrive to save lives; combat HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria; promote education; sustainable life; promote fair trade; and gender equality. For those living in the worst imaginable conditions, the delay means more suffering.
Although the USA and UK are reportedly on track with their commitments, aid is slow in arriving and laced with conditions, such as the use of American made equipment, drugs and services. This is costly as seen in our military budgets, with inflated prices no wise shopper would consider.

The Summit ended last Friday, after six of the most internationally accepted African leaders spoke with the world leaders. President Bush missed most of these discussions due to a stomachache. Nigeria asked for fair trade and Ethiopia needs peacekeeping forces. Zambia wants targeted aid, including making use of their own natural resources. All require an action plan with the G8 understanding the implication of continued delays and aid arriving in inconsistent dribbles.

The represented African nations recommitted to democracy and keeping corruption at bay. The G8 recommitted to pledges made in 2005, rather than setting a new list of goals. However, they agreed to double aid to Africa to combat disease.

Pledges are wonderful. Promises of aid are great. Delivery and no-strings-attached aid is even better. Will leaders keep the pledges of this summit? Or, will it be business as usual while millions die from unfathomable suffering? The unfortunate truth is that our leaders make promises in good faith. They need us to remind them by calls and e-mails to our senators and representatives that we are watching and waiting.

Just reminder that the most important bill of the year will be coming up for vote this fall - the US Farm Bill. This bill will make a difference to New England family farmers and mid west farmers. It will protect small farms, currently under the threat of annilation by corporate businesses. As good as it will be for us, it is also essential for those living in developing countries and extreme poverty. Everything you need to know is available through Oxfam's website - their link is in the column on the left.

Peace -

Bonnie

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NEIDEEP at 12:32 PM