| 4th
October, 2004
DAVID
ADAMS
News recently that the
United Kingdom has said it will write off debts owed to it by some
of the world’s poorest countries was welcomed by those fighting
for the burden of debt to be lifted from Third World countries as
a possible turning point in their campaign.
Other nations - including France and Canada - have apparently signalled
they may now follow suit and in the United States, President George
Bush is reportedly pushing a plan which would see debt relief programmes
increased in at least 27 poor countries.
Yet in Australia - which, according to “drop the debt”
campaigners Jubilee Australia, was still owed millions from countries
such as Indonesia and one of the world’s poorest countries
Ethiopia just a few months ago in May this year - the issue of Third
World debt relief has been largely sidelined during the election
campaign.
"(W)hat
has been disappointing, though perhaps not surprising, as
we near the date of Australia's federal election this week
is the lack of comment on or exploration of how Australia
is and can further help to address the issue of global poverty
- an issue which, while most would concede doesn’t
lead directly to terrorism, one which, at the very least,
does help to perpetuate an 'us and them' mentality in the
world."
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Putting aside the sometimes rather trivial debates over such things
as whether Australia is a safer place or not because of our nation’s
involvement in Iraq (how such statements can be proved either way
is a bit of a mystery to me), national security and how to defend
our shores against the terrorist menace has been high on the election
agenda. It was only to be expected I guess, given what’s been
happening in the world in recent times.
Yet what has been disappointing, though perhaps not surprising,
as we near the date of Australia's federal election this week is
the lack of comment on or exploration of how Australia is and can
further help to address the issue of global poverty - an issue which,
while most would concede doesn’t lead directly to terrorism,
one which, at the very least, does help to perpetuate an 'us and
them' mentality in the world.
As was stated in an AusAID paper on counter-terrorism and Australian
aid published in August last year: “While poverty provides
no justification for acts of terror, entrenched poverty can create
an environment in which terrorist networks may be fostered. Terrorist
leaders can exploit the frustrated, the poor and the politically
and economically excluded”.
While admittedly there are arguments for and against moves to 'wipe-off'
Third World debt not to mention how it should be done, it would
have been nice to at least have had the debate.
Like it or not, Australia is part of the world community and as
a rich nation we have a ongoing responsibility to those nations
which are struggling. Let’s hope that next election, it’s
an issue that we can confront, discuss and debate as a nation.
Written and authorised
by David Adams, editor of Sight magazine, c/- 28 Hodgson Street,
Ocean Grove 3226.
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WORLDVIEW: WHERE'S THE DEBATE ON ADDRESSING GLOBAL POVERTY?