Telecoms mogul Mohammed Ibrahim has set up a foundation to combat governmental corruption in African states. Among the board of advisors are Tony Blair, Bill Clinton and Paul Wolfowitz ( president of World Bank ).
What's that expression - White elephants ? Pink elephants ?
-
- 27/10/06 @ 20:30:38
-
-
dennypoos
- 28/10/06 @ 09:14:34
I'd be thinking along the lines of: pots and kettles and the colour black.
-
-
-
ViEiRA
- 28/10/06 @ 16:03:05
We had a meeting about Africa at uni yesterday. Point was made that poverty breeds corruption, not the reverse, and that there was equal corruption (Halliburton, Enron) at the heart of the US Govt. Nice one.
God bless, Jenni xx-
-
bighand
- 29/10/06 @ 15:12:29
Interesting point that, that poverty breeds corruption. How does that work ?
Funny thing is, here with the likes of Blair and MPs, they don't have poverty, so there must be more to it.
-
-
MichaelStMark
Pro - 30/10/06 @ 09:58:12
Blair's feathering his post-PM nest already. He should be made to become the Governor of Bhagdad & clear up the mess he helped create.
-
- 30/10/06 @ 14:01:18
That is a brilliant idea. We should also make George W Bush his deputy.
-
-
-
ViEiRA
- 01/11/06 @ 13:16:13
True. I think we were looking at Africa specifically and low level corruption in particular. In the developing world, civil servants and public service workers are often not paid a living wage. This is sometimes because the World Bank has told the Government it must cut public expenditure to continue receiving aid. This often leads to workers taking bribes to get things done, or working illegally. I have seen this first hand in Cambodia, where low paid soldiers operate illegal shooting ranges and charge tourists per bullet. High level corruption is experienced in all countries and I would say is based on greed and desperation to retain power and influence.
God bless, Jenni xx-
- 03/11/06 @ 14:25:14
I can understand that. They bump up their wages any way they can.
What is interesting in this scenario is the role of the World Bank. They demand that public spending is reduced so that tax revenue can be used to pay them interest on the money they have loaned. If they were really working in the nation's interest then they would advise that tax money is used to build infrastructure, communications and public services. That would make everyone better off in the future with more possibilities for trade and labour.
So you've been to Cambodia ? What else can you tell me about life conditions out there ?
-
-
ViEiRA
- 07/11/06 @ 13:35:50
Totally agree with you on the World Bank. I think the demand that public spending is cut is a terrible thing. I found out at the Africa meeting that in Bolivia (yes, we were a bit off topic!), people were banned from collecting water from their rooves, because the World Bank had demanded the privatisation of water, and that people pay for it!
Cambodia has the worst poverty I have ever seen. People with disabilities are particularly affected and particularly numerous, because of landmines. It's very sad that you can't give to everyone. I resolved to donate to a Cambodian charity on my return.
Certain Cambodians do manage to make a decent wage out of the tourist industry. For example, if young men in Siem Reap can afford to buy a motorbike, they can offer tourists lifts to, and tours of, Angkor Wat.
God bless, Jenni xx -
-
-
ViEiRA
- 07/11/06 @ 13:36:39
Totally agree with you on the World Bank. I think the demand that public spending is cut is a terrible thing. I found out at the Africa meeting that in Bolivia (yes, we were a bit off topic!), people were banned from collecting water from their rooves, because the World Bank had demanded the privatisation of water, and that people pay for it!
Cambodia has the worst poverty I have ever seen. People with disabilities are particularly affected and particularly numerous, because of landmines. It's very sad that you can't give to everyone. I resolved to donate to a Cambodian charity on my return.
Certain Cambodians do manage to make a decent wage out of the tourist industry. For example, if young men in Siem Reap can afford to buy a motorbike, they can offer tourists lifts to, and tours of, Angkor Wat.
God bless, Jenni xx-
- 08/11/06 @ 15:16:41
Yeah, I knew about the Bolivia thing. It is covered in depth in that Canadian film 'The Corporation'. It has a good segment on how the people got victory over Bechtel by refusing to cooperate.
What is the living conditions of the government ministers of Cambodia ? Do they live in relative luxury compared to their people ?
-
-
ViEiRA
- 08/11/06 @ 16:03:31
To be honest, I don't know. I was only there for about 2 weeks. This is usually the case, though.
Ooh, I wanted to see that film but never got around to it. Will add it to the list.
God bless, Jenni xx -
-
-
-
-
Any colour but right.
So i guess it wont work.