Catherine Raveczky

So much of our labor is exported to where it is the most cheap, which allows us to be consumers of cheap/low-cost goods. Countries in which the IMF loans money often undergo structural adjustment that liberalizes the economy, but is harmful to farmers and local producers who cannot compete with cheap imports from other countries. This is how many countries come to rely heavily on imports and as a consequence, have a difficult time paying back loans. There is often no blame for irresponsible lenders but on those countries taking the money, although they would not need loans if they were not in debt in the first place. Another interesting piece of information is Chapter 11 of NAFTA. It is a clause that allows corporations to sue governments if they think a government prevented future profits. For instance, if the government banned a product due to the environmental harm it caused, the corporation that manufactures that product could then sue for future profits lost.

To end the evening we watched a 20 minute film entitled, “The Story of Stuff.” The website can be found here: http://storyofstuff.com/index.php

Some alternatives/solutions attendees came up with are spreading awareness of the issues by simple conversations or posting information, such as the “Story of Stuff” film, to networking sites like Facebook where they are likely to have a wide audience. Making different lifestyle choices was another suggestion and can be done by educating yourself on fair trade issues and only buying “fair” products.

The 2010 Salon Discussion Series invites you to join us for a presentation that explores ways to develop just trade policies and fair trade opportunities as the means to counter the effects of globalization and neoliberal economic policies.

Catherine Raveczky, one of the authors of DJPC’s Global Solutions to Violence curriculum, will facilitate the evening’s discussion and engage our participation through the popular education format.

Come Thursday, May 20th from 7:00-9:00PM to the Community Room of the Denver Inner City Parish,1212 Mariposa Street, Denver 80204.

Plenty of street parking as well as limited parking  in the lots beside the building is available.

Enter through the door off of 12th Avenue. Light fair trade refreshments will be provided.                     May Salon flier: “Working Toward Fair Trade”