If I were involved I would want at least one person or small group, however
you are going to do it, to be given the task of assessing the need to manage
poverty and deprivation here in the UK. The figures for this are astonishing
and at the same time as we dash off to far flung lands, let's assess what
needs to be done at home.

In case you think I am not sympathetic to the cause, let me assure you that
I have spent 15 years working abroad, including 5 in Africa, 5 in Central
Asia and 5 dotted around the Caucasus and the Balkans.

As with all things, I like balance in my diet!

I also think there is a good job to be done in reconciling all the various
data sets that are available: just how much aid is given and by whom?; what
is the real GDP per capita of Malawi ... Burkina Faso ... ? ie what is the
real extent of the problem.

Then again, Geldof and co are working on the European solution but I have
heard many people asking for there to be an African solution to the African
issues, an Indian solution to the Indian issues and so on.

That leads us on to the nature of any solution: I think Geldof is keen to
solve this problem from the top down. Is this the best solution? For
example, whilst in Africa I suggested that we work upwards from the bottom
by, for example, providing resources for everyone and not just through pet
projects that benefit a few. One idea was that they flooded Malawi (where I
lived) with Lego sets: millions of them and anything else that we take for
granted as part of the developmental process of growing up (there are
reasons why I suggested Lego and they are not in the least bit daft!).

If not lego, Meccano, joinery sets, whatever people in a position to know
would suggest. Then follow this idea through the entire school curriculum.

I suggested millions of everything so that they would have no resale value:
sorry, but that's a reality and I think Geldof needs to be aware that some
of the aid he works so hard to provide ends up in the markets or by the
roadside in an ad hoc market!

Some good ideas and a bit of a rant! Maybe these things are a bit boring or
old hat but you have set yourself a difficult and fascinating challenge.

Alternatively, they can set up their own enterprise to raise some dosh.
Writing songs is popular these days as is writing poetry ... sell them as
well.


Duncan Williamson






-----Original Message-----
From: Economics, business, and related subjects
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Naomi Birchall
Sent: 07 June 2005 22:23
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Global Debt

Hi Everyone!

I had a sudden brainwave, at today's dept meeting, that a suitable topic to
entertain our AS Economics students (in the hiatus between AS and A2) would
be a study of global poverty and debt, given their interest in the
forthcoming Live 8 event.  Such was the response from my colleagues that
I've now been landed with the task of putting together 3 weeks of activities
focussing on this particular area - by next Monday!

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks, in anticipation!

Naomi B