OXFAM partners with Acoustic Africa TourOctober 13th -- IMN is honored to share the message of Oxfam America's Make Trade Fair campaign on the Putumayo Presents: Acoustic Africa tour. Make Trade Fair is Oxfam’s campaign to change the rules of trade to lift millions of people out of poverty.
Oxfam’s Make Trade Fair campaign was launched to raise awareness and mobilize support for farmers, laborers and factory workers in developing countries who are being cheated by the unfair rules of world trade. The campaign, begun in 2002, calls on governments, international institutions and multinational companies to change the rules so trade can become part of the solution to poverty, not part of the problem.
 Over one billion people in the world live on less than one dollar a day, struggling to put food on the table, buy basic medicines or send their children to school. Trade, if fair, could be a powerful engine for development. But today’s trade rules are rigged, skewing the benefits of world trade in favor of rich countries, to the detriment of millions of poor country farmers and workers. For Africa, this means losing its foothold in global markets even while world trade is booming. The region, home to 12% of the world’s people, now accounts for only 2.6% of global exports.
Musicians from Africa have played an important role in raising public awareness of Oxfam’s Make Trade Fair campaign, including Habib Koite of Mali, Angelique Kidjo of Benin, Youssou N’Dour of Senegal, the Zakala Brothers of Zambia and Necessary Noiz of Kenya. It’s no wonder that Oxfam’s global petition to Make Trade Fair, now signed by 20 million people worldwide, is affectionately called the “Big Noise.”
Sensible changes in trade rules can make a big difference in the fight against poverty. For example, in 2000, the United States passed a law making it easier for African countries to export clothing to the US market. Within a couple of years, infant industry had sprung up in 14 African countries, creating several hundred thousand jobs for African women. Empowerment of women has a multiplier effect for African development - one job at an apparel factory can support up to 10 family members.
But a beneficial provision is scheduled to expire soon, which would wipe away the gains made. The US Congress has the power to extend the law (called the “third country provision of the African Growth and Opportunity Act) and is expected to vote on it this fall. The Make Trade Fair campaign seeks to mobilize the US public in support of saving this crucial measure, by inviting Acoustic Africa Tour audience members to call on Congress to save jobs for thousands of African women by extending this important provision.
“The partnership with the Acoustic Africa Tour is a great way for Americans to be a part of the solution to poverty in Africa,” said Brian Rawson, Senior Organizer for the Make Trade Fair campaign. “It’s a beautiful exchange: the musicians share their amazing culture and music; the audience responds with a heartfelt call for fairness and opportunity for Africans.”
Oxfam America is an international relief and development organization that works to end poverty, hunger, and injustice. To learn more: www.oxfamamerica.org
Oxfam America
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Boston, MA 02114
(800) 77-OXFAM |
