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CALL for papers/ other contributions
DEBT AND THE DEVELOPING WORLD IN THE NEW MILLENIUM
Developing Areas Research Group session at the RGS/IBG Annual Conference,
4th-6th January 2000 at University of Sussex, Brighton
Convenors:
Elsbeth Robson (Keele University), Katie Willis (Liverpool University) and David W. Smith (Liverpool University)
Session Proposal
DARG has joined the Jubilee 2000 coalition (campaigning to celebrate the new millennium by lifting the burden of unpayable debt from the world's poorest countries) as an appropriate way of marking the millenium and raising the issue of international debt impoverishing many developing areas. Ongoing structural adjustment packages and recent economic crises around the world have seen a refocusing of international attention in the run up to the millenium on both the massive debt burden carried by governments in much of the developing world, and the inadequacy of international debt relief initiatives to date.
At the first RGS-IBG conference of the new millenium DARG asks is cancellation of debt 'an idea whose time has come'? This session will firstly, investigate the impacts of debt on populations and environments of developing countries. How are livelihood chances in Africa, Asia and Latin America being challenged by stringent government economic packages designed to meet debt interest payments by reducing public sector spending and promoting cash cropping as a foreign exchange earner? To what extent is debt responsible for systematic environmental degradation and liquidation of environmental assets? Secondly, critical examination of the claims and efforts of those promoting debt cancellation is needed. How realistic and potentially successful are efforts calling for cancellations of debt backlogs owed by poor nation states? What are the successes and weakness of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank HIPC (heavily indebted poor country) initiative? Can the small successes of debt for nature swaps become a way forward for governments to alleviate debt and promote environmental conservation? Is debt relief merely a symbolic act in the changing of North-South relations? Does campaigning provide opportunities to critically highlight governments and businesses in the global South and North, as well as to draw attention to other development issues, including the international arms trade? Thirdly, this session will ask 'how can future loans arranged in the new millenium be manageable, repayable and ensure increases in productivity?'
It is anticipated that as well as geographers; other scholars, representatives of NGOs and bodies campaigning for debt relief will join this timely discussion. The session is intended to highlight practical approaches and achievements in debt management and alleviation while contributing to informed, reflective and critical debate of issues around debt.
Call for Papers
Titles and 250-word abstracts should be submitted to the session convenors by 30th April 1999. Decisions on the final papers will be made by mid-May. Those interested in presenting a paper are welcome to discuss their proposals with the session convenors before submitting an abstract.
Convenors Contact Details:
Ms. Elsbeth Robson, Department of Environmental Social Sciences, Keele University, Keele, Staffs., ST5 5BG, U.K. Tel: +44 (0)1782 584339 Fax: +44 1782 584144 Email: [log in to unmask]
Dr. Katie Willis, Department of Geography, Roxby Building, Liverpool University, P.O. Box 147, Liverpool, Merseyside, L69 3BX. Tel: +44 (0)151 794 2877 Fax: +44 (0)151 794 2866 Email: [log in to unmask]
Prof. David W. Smith, Department of Geography, Roxby Building, Liverpool University, P.O. Box 147, Liverpool, Merseyside, L69 3BX. Tel: +44 (0)151 794 2874 Fax: +44 (0)151 794 2866 Email: [log in to unmask]
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Elsbeth Robson, Lecturer in Development Studies,
Department of Environmental Social Sciences,
Keele University, Keele, Staffs., ST5 5BG, U.K.
Tel: +44 1782 584339 Fax: +44 1782 584144
Email: [log in to unmask]
www.keele.ac.uk/depts/ge/gehome.htm
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