global challenge: sustainable local economies

Where poverty exists, there is not true freedom. - Nelson Mandela

What does it mean to "build sustainable local economies"?

Photo: Maria Porter

Each of us wants to contribute to society, make a decent living, and not depend on someone else for our livelihood. Nearly everyone — regardless of background — wants to support themselves and their family.

Some of the best ways to do this are to create access to secure jobs with decent wages, systems that help keep the price of necessities stable, and governments that do not steal from their people.

One of the first steps in this process is debt forgiveness — a deal whereby wealthy nations "erase" the debt of poor nations. Often, corrupt governments borrowed from wealthy nations years ago. As those governments failed or were overthrown, the people were left with the burden of debt for loans they never benefited from.

Another important step is to ensure fair trade practices around the world. This means that small farmers, fishermen, artisans, and manufacturers in the developing world will have a chance to sell their products at a fair market price. When they can compete in a global market, they will have the ability to provide more jobs to local communities. They will also have more money to invest in local development — new housing and businesses, for example.

Photo: Paola Gianturco

Youth employment is another essential component of building sustainable local economies. In 2002, 74 million youth were out of work (up from 58 million in 1995). It is estimated that between 38 to 110 million young people are undernourished, 238 million live on less than $1 a day and that 462 million live on less than $2 a day. This situation would improve drastically with incomes that allow for continued education.

Where can I learn more?

For more information and resources, please visit our friends at DATA, Debt, AIDS, Trade, Africa and the Millennium Campaign.

What can we do?

Helping people create, find, and keep jobs with decent wages is one of the best ways to ensure economic stability. Providing access to technology, small business loans, and education are all key.

Poverty reduction depends upon increased foreign aid. Several decades ago, wealthy countries (including the U.S.) agreed to work towards contributing 0.7% of their national income each year to help developing countries. But so far, only a handful of countries have fulfilled this commitment, including Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, and Denmark. It is our job as average citizens to educate ourselves about those promises, and keep the pressure on!

If you’re a high school student interested in starting a Global Action Club at your school addressing sustainable local economies contact us.