Analysis : An International Criminal Tribunal against Corruption?

The emergency, in Central America, is to fight against corruption and for transparency of the system. Nicaraguans, Mexicans, and Bolivians quickly agreed on this as a priority. Corruption was compared to terrorism, no less! The corruption cancer affects the highest spheres of government as much as it does the children of the favelas. "Even though you can't compare a kid in a favela who steals a wallet with the thirty million dollars stolen by the Colombian government, the two are related: the government's value system, based on corruption, becomes the value system of the street."
The Africans agreed with this analysis. "We know where the aid money goes," said an African participant. The workshop suggested that debt forgiveness should be conditioned to the repatriation of the money placed by the leaders in foreign accounts. "There would have to be an obligation to reinvest the money in the country's economy."
The idea expressed by many was to set up an international criminal tribunal or to extend the jurisdiction of the existing one in The Hague, to fight against corruption, both passive and active.
This repressive action would also have to be associated with education measures. To track and denounce corruption, it is indispensable that people have access, in the most transparent way possible, to national budgets. "We want to obtain the right to audit public money. Today, when money is invested in a project, we never know the precise amount nor where the money goes, what share is earmarked for the bureaucracy, etc."

"There Is No Solution for Us outside of Fair Trade."

Seen from Europe, ethical trade and economy of solidarity are in full progression. Legislation has changed positively, among others in France, where the new code for public contracts allows - finally - for consideration of the social criteria of production. The French government representatives now drink coffee that comes from fair trade. But what is there really behind your cup of socially responsible expresso? Zacarias Calatayud is head of a cooperative in Bolivia comprising more than two hundred producers' organizations. Three thousand families are directly involved in the production of coffee, cocoa, and crafts. "Our big problem is finding markets," explained Zacarias. "As producers, we respect the environment and the ecosystem. On the market, the price that is offered for our coffee, for instance, is lower than our production costs." A difficult situation, which grew worse this year, with a 50% fall in prices quoted for coffee. "The coffee produced in Bolivia is of higher quality, and European countries import much less expensive products. The money goes into the middlemen's pockets." Zacarias picked up his cup of expresso: "At the price we are paid for coffee, you should be getting this for 20 centimes, not 7 francs."

A Local and Socially Responsible Mutual Benefit Association for Cameroonian Villagers

Local funds for the development of activities are probably one of the simplest and most effective means to encourage economic activity in local communities. Money saved by farmers, added to with public subsidies or international aid, is a good way to build facilities: a well, purchase of some material, or any other investment. "Of course complementary aid is always necessary because farmers can never save enough," noted one participant.
The same analysis goes for social welfare. Elisabeth Atangana, representing the national coordination of farmers' organizations in Cameroon, defended the idea of local and socially responsible mutual benefit associations. "In a village," she said, "everybody brings their contribution, and the mutual benefit association can make available to the community a pharmacy kit with basic remedies. No individual could take on that expense."
The mutual benefit association is run democratically by a committee, which manages the money and makes decisions on reimbursements. People who have to face health expenses are helped. Group purchases make it possible to get cheaper or free medicine through the organization "Médecins du monde."
When a village inhabitant falls sick to the point of not being able to work, the community will decide to help him as well as his family. In case of death, there is joint contribution to the funeral expenses.
"The problem is," continued Elisabeth Atangana, "that the capacities of the mutual benefit association are quickly used up. Farmers have no money for the contributions. If two people fall sick at the same time, it is difficult to cope. This is why this type of benefit association has to be helped financially by the state or by NGOs." To this she added: "This is also a way to avoid poverty. Everyone realizes that illness triggers the quick downhill slope into poverty. Whoever did not want to contribute understands that no one will want to pay for them when there's a problem."
This idea of local and socially responsible reciprocity should be encouraged as a solution to poverty.