26 August 2004
THE OLYMPICS - SOME OTHER PERSPECTIVES
Whilst the performance of our Olympians are a source of national pride and we admire the dedication, skill, perseverance and sportsmanship of individual athletes can we really say the Olympics are a fair competition given the inequity of resources available to prepare athletes between the developed nations and those in the developing world?
Nevertheless the achievement of athletes from African countries such as Kenya, Ethiopi, Tanzania and Chad have been rightly acknowledged particularly in the light of the disadvantages they have had to overcome in order to succeed. At various times during these Olympics the world has been united with shared feelings of warmth, admiration and goodwill.
But as Stewart Mills of Jubilee Australia asked "For how long?" He went on to point out that "6,000 Africans die from AIDS each day and yet sub-Saharan countries are paying $34 billion in debt repayments each year, whilst just receiving US$13 billion in aid. This process where Africans give back to the rich nations $3 for every $1 they see in foreign aid is an outrage."
Jubilee Australia is part of an international movement to free poor nations from the burden of unfair debt. The hope is to keep money in the country so as resources can be directed to better health, education and environment services.
Oxfam / Community Aid Abroad is also currently campaigning to improve the conditions of sportswear workers making Olympic sportswear and uniforms. Poor women in developing nations make most of our sportswear. They work long hours of both paid and unpaid overtime with no job security. They work long shifts, up to 18 hours a day 7 days a week and get paid as little as 30 cents an hour. As a consequence they suffer poor nutrition, housing and health care.
This is taking place because big brand name companies use their market power to squeeze the best price with the quickest turnaround from manufacturers in developing nations. These manufacturers then put the squeeze on their workforce with the types of wages and working conditions described above.
To find out more and to participate in the campaign visit the Oxfam website
Nevertheless the achievement of athletes from African countries such as Kenya, Ethiopi, Tanzania and Chad have been rightly acknowledged particularly in the light of the disadvantages they have had to overcome in order to succeed. At various times during these Olympics the world has been united with shared feelings of warmth, admiration and goodwill.
But as Stewart Mills of Jubilee Australia asked "For how long?" He went on to point out that "6,000 Africans die from AIDS each day and yet sub-Saharan countries are paying $34 billion in debt repayments each year, whilst just receiving US$13 billion in aid. This process where Africans give back to the rich nations $3 for every $1 they see in foreign aid is an outrage."
Jubilee Australia is part of an international movement to free poor nations from the burden of unfair debt. The hope is to keep money in the country so as resources can be directed to better health, education and environment services.
Oxfam / Community Aid Abroad is also currently campaigning to improve the conditions of sportswear workers making Olympic sportswear and uniforms. Poor women in developing nations make most of our sportswear. They work long hours of both paid and unpaid overtime with no job security. They work long shifts, up to 18 hours a day 7 days a week and get paid as little as 30 cents an hour. As a consequence they suffer poor nutrition, housing and health care.
This is taking place because big brand name companies use their market power to squeeze the best price with the quickest turnaround from manufacturers in developing nations. These manufacturers then put the squeeze on their workforce with the types of wages and working conditions described above.
To find out more and to participate in the campaign visit the Oxfam website
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