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What is globalisation?

The text “What is globalisation?“ from the website http://www.globalisationguide.org tries to define the term ‘globalisation’ as well as lists up the pros and cons of the process in the context of the question “Globalisation = Americanisation?”.

The first paragraph quotes different international experts in the attempt to define ‘globalisation’. They say it to be an increasing process of international exchange in technological, economic and socio-cultural fields of human interaction, taking place under the rules of capitalism.*

The pro-globalisation arguments are based on the statement that (cultural) change is an essential part of life and not neccessarily means the loss of traditional values. Proponents also state that the export of American products all over the world is only a sign of economic success, not of monocultural dominance. In addtion the integration of culture coming along with globalisation is seen as a positive movement against fundamentalistic violent ways of thinking.

Globalistion opponents see a world-wide growing dominance of US products and therefore the end of cultural diversity as well as the replacement of the traditional social values by pure commercial values. (K.Kehl& A.Broschinski)

Vocabulary

• supranational,
• socio-cultural relations,
• phenomenon,
• monoculture,
• uni-polar,
• divisive (=splitting),
• monetary (= financial),
• transnational corporations

What is Globalization?

The article ’’What is Globalization?’’ taken from the internet site http://www.globalization101.org deals with the definition and the history of this term.

At the beginning the reader gets to know what exactly globalization means. In the text it is described as a ’’process of interaction and integration among the people, companies and governments of different nations, a process driven by international trade and investment and aided by information technology.“ Furthermore it is mentioned that the process of globalization has got effects on many factors like culture, economic development and societies.

Moreover the reader is informed about the long history of this process. Even in the past there has been trade between countries all over the world e.g. the seaway from China to Europe which was quite popular in the middle age. Up until now ways of trading are still improved by new technologies raising the volume of sales. From 1997 to 1999 flows of foreign investment nearly doubled from $468 billion to $827 billion.

The Second World War was an important starting point for the free-market economic system because new possibilities for international trade arose. New opportunities invited the companies to start branch offices in foreign countries. An international industrial and financial business is therefore a defining feature of globalization. Beside technology plays an important role. IT has given all sorts of individual economic actors, consumers, etc. An advantage is for example easy transferring of assets and collaboration with partners.

But like almost everything globalization has got two sides. On the one hand proponents argue that pour countries take advantage of this process because they are helped in economic cases which means they are e.g. able to raise their living standards and on the other hand opponents claim that the international free market is a danger for small local enterprises. For them it is hard to resist against the international market. Especially the last aspect shows how controversial this topic is.

On the whole does this text show that the process of globalization has got a long history and like almost everything its pros and cons. You either see it as an advantage or you do not.

Vocabulary'

• prosperity -success/ wealth;
• corporations -GmbH;
• to distinguish-to stress;
• domestically-home policy;
• far-flung-far away;
• unfettered-not limited;
• asset-property

Anna-Lena

Globalization: Threat or Opportunity?

http://www.imf.org/external/np/exr/ib/2000/041200.htm

Does Globalization Increase Poverty and Inequality?

The text “Does Globalization Increase Poverty and Inequality?” examines whether there is really such a strong inequality between the different countries and the reasons for it.

According to the World Economic Outlook for the 20th century the distribution of income among countries is more unequal than it was at the beginning of the 20th century though the output per capita has risen. But refering to the UN Human Development Indicators (HDI) which take education and life expectancy into account the social gaps between countries have narrowed.

But though life expectancy has risen the quality of life in many countries hasn’t improved.

So that’s why special policies to reduce poverty are necessary.

Conclusion

This text taken from the same internet site as the text above gives a conclusion about the consequences of globalization. It says that with the progressing globalization the living conditions in nearly all countries of the world have improved. But the income gap between the countries has grown wider.

It would be wrong to say that this divergence has been caused by the globalization. It’s the low income countries who weren’t able to integrate into world economy that fast because of their chosen policies and other indicators. So every country schould try to reduce poverty and the international communtiy schould help the poor countries to integrate into the world economy and so get access to the benefits of globalization.(J.Rheker)

Vocabulary

per capita income

Pro-Kopf-Einkommen,

output per capita

Pro-Kopf-Produktion,

life expectancy

Lebenserwartung,

abject poverty

elende Armut,

to alleviate poverty

die Armut lindern/mildern,

distribution of income

Einkommensverteilung,

UN’s Human Development Indicators (HDI)

the HDI take education and life expectancy into account,

income gap

Einkommensgefälle,

divergence

Ungleichheit

Globalization

Globalization is a term for the expansion of global linkages in economy, politics, environment and culture. These developments are results of advances in communications, transportation and information technologies. Between different countries all over the world increased interdependency exists and that is why distant events often have an immediate and significant impact on the entire globe. Accodingly Globalization has advantages as well as disadvantages. Negative aspects are: rapid spread of diseases, illicit drugs, crime, terrorism and uncontrolled migration. Benefits are: poverty reduction in China and India, sharing of basic knowledge, technology, investments, resources and ethnical values. (Leonie Windt, Antonia Lehn)

Vocabulary

consolidation

Festigung

interdependence

gegenseitige Abhängigkeit

linkage

Bindung

disruptive

zerstörend

intertwine

sich verflechten

boundary

Grenze

illicit

rechtswidrig

What is Globalization?

(Definition)

The text from http://www.imf.org/external/np/exr/ib/2000/041200.htm describes economic globalization as a historical process of increasing the and independence of the world’s markets and businesses and it’s growing integration of economic world wide.

Globalization makes it easier for people to travel, communicate and do business internationally. For some there are hopes that someday there will be a global society and for others there are fears that their lives and jobs will be forced.

The result of human innovation in the 1980s today gives economies the opportunity to connect with others to get increasing opportunities and increasing competitions, the so called “pro-globalization”. The most prominent pro-globalization lobbies are the World Trade Organization and the World Economic Forum. There are also anti-globalization lobbies, for example Fiends of the Earth, Greenpeace, Oxfam, G77 or the U.S. textiles and European form lobby.

Telecommunications infrastructure and the rise of the internet only describe two of the advances globalization build in the last about 25 years.

Vocabulary''' (source: Klett PONS Cobuild)

globalization

economic

means concerned with the organization of the money, industry, and trade of a country, region, or social group

global

means concerning or including the whole world

society

is the people in a country, who have a particular way of life

human innovation

is a new thing or a new way of doing something

increasing opportunities

increasing competitions

telecommunications infrastructure

written by Jacqueline Becker

The texts from http://www.sociology.emory.edu/globalization/issues04.html , http://www.wikipedia.org and http://www.sociology.emory.edu/globalization/issues04.html describe the meaning of "globalization" and there are some examples given.

Globalization is a term that refers to the emergence of the worldwide phenomenon of technological, economic, and culture change in one part of the world quickly come to have significance for people in other parts of the world.

It is the result of the development in the growing economic, political, technological, and cultural linkages that connect all people and businesses around the world. The related term globalism refers to a positive and philosophical worldview toward multicultural and intercultural exchange and respect for local cultures. It also involves the advantage of the growth of multinational corporations and transnational corporations. An important role in the globalization play the international institutions that oversee world trade and finance. In specifically economic contexts, globalization also means particularly trade liberalization (“free trade”).

Another consequence of economic globalization is increasing relations among members of an industry in different parts of the world.

Globalization also involves the connection all around the world. Today, more and more places around the world are connected to each other in ways that were previously unimaginable.

Arjun Appadurai once identified five types of global connectivity: Ethnoscapes (movements of immigrants, refugees, and business travelers, greater international travel and tourism), financescapes (global flows of money, driven by interconnected markets), ideoscapes (global spread of ideas and political ideologies), mediascapes (global distribution of media images that appear on computer screens, television, radio and newspapers) and technoscapes (movement of technologies around the globe).

The formation of a global village is also a part of the globalization. It means that people get closer contact between different parts of the world.

The push by many advocates for an international criminal court and international justice movements is also important to mention when somebody speaks about globalization. The term can also lead to emancipation, because especially women get more and more self-confidence because of the development in the media. They can do the same jobs as men and many women’s advocates recognize that globalization affects different groups of women in different ways, creates new standards for the treatment of women, and helps women’s groups to mobilize.

Besides these positive aspects of globalization, there are also many negative aspects. Globalization can lead to drugs, terrorism, illegal immigration, no freedom because everything is supervised, crime and diseases. It also may harm women in several ways, for example economically, through discrimination in favor of male workers and culturally, through loss of identity and autonomy to a hegemonic global culture.

Globalization also affects many questions to the future: What is the best way to finance development? How much autonomy should countries have when the economic, political, and environmental decisions they make can have global repercussions? To what extent should global institutions be able to constrain what countries can and cannot do in an increasingly globalized world? What is the right way to balance social and cultural values with the need for economic efficiency? All in all one can say, that the term globalization has a lot of different meanings, but in a way they all fit together.

Vocabulary

1. media expands all around the world : Medien verbreiten sich rund um die Welt
2. illusory benefits: täuschende Wohltaten
3. dehumanizing system : entmenschlichendes System
4. significance : Bedeutung / Wichtigkeit
5. efficiency - Leistungsfähigkeit
6. global repercussions : Rückwirkung / Rückprall
7. hegemonic global culture - vorherrschlaftliche globale Kultur

by Christine Reker

Criticisms of Current Forms of Free Trade

The text "Critisms of Current Forms of Free Trade" from the website www.globalissues.org tries to show that globalisation is not as good as everyone would like to see it. Although many people think that globalisation is irreplaceable because it gained it the past.

Things you can avoid for making a better future are things like bad politcal decisions, military might, wars etc. because that has pulled the various nations into different directions.

Economists all over the world think that Capitalism can be good for developing but with the wrong politics it may end up to different results like increasing poverty. At the end the author tries to prove his critism by listing up NGO's, nations, governments and citizens sharing his opinion.

Vocabulary

1. essential- necessary
2. NGO - non-governmental organisation
3. gain - here: to increase

(Cornelia Lubbers, Meike Ostwaldt)

Marvin König http://www.wikipedia.org

The text about globalization from the “Wikipedia encyclopedia“ gives the main reasons and the effects of globalization. The three aspects of globalization in this text are technological, economical and cultural. All of the disadvantages and advantages of these three aspects are in the text mentioned.

After WWII the international trade expanded and rebuilding programs were started. This can be seen as the start of globalization. Globalization has also different meanings for the world and different ethnic groups. For example is it very important and has a very big influence of the financial systems on the world. Money is flows all over the world and goes from one market to the next. It is like one big country and some people already speak of a “Global village”.

This text only deals with three characteristics of globalization (economically, culturally, technologically) but certainly there are much more which were not mentioned.

Another term which is in connection with globalization is “glocalization”. It describes the process whereby a local institution is integrated in the global. Good examples are museums for glocalization.

A negative effect of globalization is the so called “anti-globalisation”. Activists are trying to show the bad side of globalization by using the slogan “another world is possible”

But there is also the other side “pro-globalization”. States and other institutions are trying to built up a global political and financial system.

To Measure Globalization in a country or region can be measured in tow ways. One way is the to measure it by flows of trade or foreign direct investment. The other is to measure it by the three main dimensions of globalization, economic, social and political.

<<<<<<<

Summary of our text about globalisation Svenja Schröder and Cassandra Stocks

The article “Globalisation: What on Earth is it about?”, which we found on the Internet presence of BBC News, envinces the negative consequences of globalisation and the growing movement against the same and was written while there were big demonstrations against it in Prague.

The author starts with a short introduction in which he describes, that it is difficult to understand the whole talk about globalisation and that it is part of everyone’s life.

The main part of the text contains diverse aspects. The author points out the arguments for and against globalisation and also gives general information. For example, the reader gets to know, that the term “globalisation” was first coined in the 1980s, but the idea is much older (a good example are the huge empires which existed) or that the aspiration for stronger international bonds after Second World War laid the basis for today’s globalisation. Supporters (often capitalists) of globalisation often argue that it has brought wealth, diverse lifestyles, more understaning for other cultures and even the victory of democracy over autocracy.

On the other side, the opposition (environmentalists, “anti-poverty campaigners”, trade unionists and owners of small firms) says, that globalisation has brought more problems to the world than it solved and especially the developing countries have suffered from this development. The author point out, that also the developed world has its problems – workplaces are more insecure on the ground that a lot of firms settle in low-wage states which has become easier through the “diminishing national borders” and conflation of national markets.

Another point of criticism is that the big international companies increase their power and could become more powerful than governments one day. This is frightening because most firms only care for their profit and often disregard the environmental protection and human rights.

In conclusion, the author comes to the realization, that the “global village”, which was described in a book by Marshall McLuhan, already exists.

The texts from http://www.sociology.emory.edu/globalization/issues04.html , http://www.wikipedia.org and http://www.sociology.emory.edu/globalization/issues04.html describe the meaning of "globalization" and there are some examples given. Globalization means the process of an increase in the worldwide connection between traditionally isolate people, societies and cultures. Globalization is connected with changes of their economic, social and cultural affairs because of progress in fields of information and communication, asset, transport and traffic,as well as the growing liberalisation of the world trade. Global interconnectedness intensifies, what leads to a faster increase in global interactions and processes, meaning deeper cultural and intercultural exchanges like more tourism and travel, greater immigration (including illegal immigration), the spread of local food like pizza or sushi and the spread of multiculturalism. by Katarina Müller >>>>>>>

What is Globalization?

Globalization is the process of denationalization of markets, politics and legal systems. The consequences of this political and economical restructuring on local economies, human welfare and environment are the subject of an open debate among international organizations, governmental institutions.

At a business level, we talk of globalization when companies decide to take part in the emerging global economy and establish themselves in foreign markets. Consequently local companies have to operate under competitive pressure.

While laws attempt to control the flow of capital, goods and labour, no parliament, committee or legislation can supervise the pollution of atmosphere and oceans. One nation might pass strict environmental protection laws. But they will have little affect if neighboring countries do not pass similar laws. Therefore can only global agreements get all nations to act together to improve the environment.

Because of this some of the first truly global civil movements have been those which intend to protect the environment.

Thus there are some great chances for exploring the connection between globalization and pollution prevention.

to denationalize

entnationalisieren

environmental protection laws

Umweltschutzgesetze

multilingual corporation

mehrsprachige (Kapital)Gesellschaften

competitive

konkurrierend

global agreements

weltweite Vereinbarungen

restructuring

Umstrukturierungen

comparative

vergleichende, verhältnismäßig

by Torben & Galina

Christof Schnur

source: http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_1741588397/Globalization.html

Globalization – A summary

In the text "Globalization" from the international Encarta website, the term is defined and explained. Globalization is seen as the "emergence" of a global society in which economic, political, environmental and cultural events have an immediate and significant impact on the entire world. The main reasons for Globalizations are advances in communication, information and transportation technologies. Those technologies are tools used to link and unite people, companies, countries and whole societies. Thus, problems that occur in other countries can have negative effects in ours. This can be explained clearly with the example of everyday consumer goods such like clothes, food or gasoline. Because most of these products have their origin in different countries than the place where they are sold, political, environmental or economical catastrophes which are only domestic in the beginning can become global and hence also affect the countries they are sold in.

Globalization has both positive and negative aspects. Some of the benefits are sharing basic knowledge, technology and resources, international investments and the exchange of ethical values. Among the biggest negative points are the rapid spread of diseases, illicit drugs, crime, international terrorism and uncontrolled migration.

Vocabulary

• transnational corporations (businesses that see themselves functioning in a global marketplace)
• era of globalization
• to be psychologically engaged with s.o.
• illicit drugs (illegal drugs)
• blurring boundaries (boundaries that are not clear anymore)
• uncontrolled migration
• movement of capital (capital = money, stocks, ...)

Attach:PumaPraesentation.ppt Δ

Attach:Asics.pdf Δ

US5

Swantje, Christopher, "Günni", Justin, Marvin

Organisation: Greenpeace

Sources: www.greenpeace.com

         www.wdr.de/themen/kultur/stichtag/2005/10/13.jhtml

http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Greenpeace,_Sea_Shepherds_end_Southern_Ocean_whaling_protest

General

Greenpeace exists because this fragile earth deserves a voice. It needs solutions. It needs change. It needs action.

Greenpeace is a non-profit organisation, with a presence in 40 countries across Europe, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific.

To maintain its independence, Greenpeace does not accept donations from governments or corporations but relies on contributions from individual supporters and foundation grants.

As a global organisation, Greenpeace focuses on the most crucial worldwide threats to our planet's biodiversity and environment.

History

In 1971 a small team of activists, who believed a few individuals could change the world, founded "greenpeace". Their first mission was to abolish the US nuclear bombing tests. Today the base of Greenpeace is located in Amsterdam and has over 2.8 million members in over 41 countries.

What they do

• Stop climate change
• Save our seas
• Protect ancient forests
• Say no to genetic engineering
• Eliminate toxic chemicals
• End the nuclear treat
• Encourage sustainable trade
• Abolish nuclear weapons

Every mission that is done by Greenpeace is non-violent in order to find solutions for a green and peaceful earth. Greenpeace relies on the voluntary donations of individual supporters.

First mission in germany

The first Greenpeace mission in germany took place in 1980 in Nordenham. There was a tanker located and several activists tied themself onto the tanker in order to stop it on the way to the ocean. The tanker carried chemical substances from the german company "Bayer Ag". The mission of the tanker was to pump these substances into the ocean. Because of the engagement of the activists the tanke could not complete its mission and after 1990 it was forbidden by law to pump chemical substances into the northsea.

Latest Greenpeace mission

In the Antartic Japanese boats where huting whales over the winter time. In this time they killed hundreds of whales. Greenpeace was fought actively against these "whalehunters" in this area. Greenpeace was not able to stop the japanese boats but they were able to make these situations public and show the whole world how these whales were killed. Activists also went by boat to the japanese ships and placed themself between the haproon and the whale to stop the killing. Several activists were injured in this mission but because of this mission some whales could swim away. Greenpeace will come back next year when the hunting season begins again. They have the hope to stop the hunting one day and that the whales cann live in peace in their ocean.

Women`s International League for Peace and Freedom

by Anna and Okka

Powerpuffgirls Katarina & Christine: NATO

NATO is a short form for North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. There are three other names: North Atlantic Alliance, the Atlantic Alliance, or the Western Alliance.

It is an international organisation for collecitve security. The Treaty was signed on April 4,1949 in Washington DC at the beginning of the Cold War. The headquarters are located in Brussels, Belgium. Its purpose is to enhance the stability, well-being, and freedom of its member through a system of collective security.

The members of the NATO agree to defend one another from attack by other nations or by terrorist groups. The original purpose was to defend Western Europe against possible attack by Communist nations (i.e. USSR). The original signatories were Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, the United Kingdom and the United States. 1951, Greece and Turkey were admitted to the alliance, 1955 West Germany and Spian in 1982. In 1990 the newly unified Germany replaced West Germany as a NATO member. Nowadays, there are 26 member countries of the NATO.

The organisation leads to closer ties among its members. In 2003, the NATO took up peacekeeping activities outside of Europe for the first time. The Treaty was intended so that if the USSR and its allies launched an attack against any of the NATO members; it would be treated as if it was an attack on all member states.

The Treaty consists of a preamble and 14 articles (especially important articles 1,4,12 -> Power Point Presentation). The NATO is governed by its 26 member states. The North Atlantic Council (NAC), formed by Permanent Members, meets at least once a week to make decisions.

The NATO is directed by two Strategic Commanders. they are responsible for the Military Committee for the overall direction and conduct of all Alliance military matters within their areas of command. But there are also Anti-Nato organisations, which want to abolish the NATO because of their right to use nuclear weapons for instance.

Pink Power Rangers Cornelia, Antonia, Ann-Christin, Leonie, Meike: UNICEF

UNICEF means United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund

Facts

• Founded 1946
• 7000 people working for UNICEF
• Active in 155 countries
• 1965, won Noble Peace Prize
• They work for the survival, protection and development of children worldwide through fundraising, education and advocacy.

Priorities

• Building a protective environment for children
• Early childhood development (34%)
• Immunization (22%)
• Girl‘s education (21%)
• Child protection (10%)
• HIV / AIDS (9%)

http://www.unicef.org/

Attach:UNICEF1.pdf Δ

TACKS - Torben, Ann-Christin, Cassandra, Katharina, Svenja

Association for women's rights in development - AWID

The Association for Women's Rights in Development (AWID) is an international membership organization connecting, informing and mobilizing people and organizations committed to achieving gender equality, sustainable development and women's human rights.

http://www.awid.org/

DUO CAMILLO - Galina & Christof

Amenesty International and child soldiers in Africa

links

• http://web.amnesty.org/pages/childsoldiers-index-eng
• http://web.amnesty.org/library/index/ENGAFR620342003
• http://www.amnesty.org/
• http://www.soschildrensvillages.org.uk/sponsor-a-child/africa-child-sponsorship/sudan.htm
• http://child-soldier.org/Rwanda.htm
• http://www.invisiblechildren.com

Our Presentation

We chose our topic for several reasons. One of them is that it is linked to present discussion in politics (sending troops to Congo; the capture of Liberia's former president) in some way and thus in people's minds right now. Another reason is the poor grade of knowledge most people in Europe have got of child soldiers. They often only know about the fact that there are such children. We want to inform about their situation and what is done to help them. By giving this presentation it is our aim to show that everyone can do something against this kind of exploitation.

While doing research for our presentation it was striking that the main job ai is doing is to inform about the situation of child soldiers. This is why we added this to our presentation.

First we will give you some general facts and then concentrate on the situation of child soldiers in the Democratic Republic of Congo. With our presentation we want to give you an impression of the everyday life of child soldiers, the reasons, why they become oldiers and of the strategie of the commanders. This way we also want to give you the reason for the workd ai is doing.

Attach:AI.ppt Δ (updated)

Vokabulary

• militia - nongovernmental military force, paramilitary group
• to back s.o. - to support s.o.
• combat - fight, battle
• STD (Sexually Transmitted Disease) - an illnes which is transported via sex
• collaboration - cooperation, co- work (usually used in a negative sense)
• duty - regular job which has to be done
• frequently - regular
• to whip - to beat
• to recruit s.o. - to make s.o. a soldier
• a delegate - a representative
• to demobilise - (in this sense) to disarm, to take away s.o.'s weapons
• to displace - to take s.o. away from s.where
• advances - you make advances when you get better in s.th.
• level of indoctrination - the grade s.o. believes some doctrin (ideological rule)
• to monitor - to record, to watch carefully over s.th., to control
• crises - the plural of crisis, tip: a lot of words in English similar to crisis have got the same way of forming the plural)

The Role of the UN in Africa

We are a group of two, Julia and Jacqueline.

Our topic for the coming week will be ’The Role of the UN in Africa at the example of the Congo’.

“What are the main activities of MONUC?“ or “What are the problems in Congo and what does the UN do to improve them?“ are only an extract of the questions we are going to answer in our groupwork.

Here are some inportant links to have a closer look at our topic:

1. http://www.un.org/aboutun/index.html
2. http://www.un.org/depts/dpko/missions/monuc
3. http://www.un.org/depts/dpko/dpko/index.asp
4. http://www.mbendi.com/land/af/zr/p0005.htm
5. http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/africa/9809/11/congo.01/dem.congo.rep.congo.lg.jpg

Attach:TheRoleOfTheUnInAfrica.pdf Δ

The British Humanist Association (BHA) by Michael, Daniel and Hendrik

Link: http://www.humanism.org.uk/site/cms/

Their mission and vision:

Their Vision

A world without religious privilege or discrimination, where people are free to live good lives on the basis of reason, experience and shared human values.

Their Mission

The British Humanist Association exists to promote Humanism and support and represent people who seek to live good lives without religious or superstitious beliefs

Using a Vacation to Help to Improve the World

Have you ever thought of spending your holidays in poor countries where you could help the people?

The article “Using a Vacation to Help to Improve the World” written by Jane L. Levere in the New York Times from December, 5th , 2005 deals exactly with this kind of vacation.

At the beginning the reader gets to know the example of construction manager Albert Huang who spent his last summer holidays in Sri Lanka where he helped the victims of the Tsunami by building new homes. For him it has been a great experience because he could really help the inhabitants.

And he is not the only one acting in this way. More and more people do not only want to support victims of catastrophes, children in Africa and wildlife parks all over the world by donating money, they want to help on-site. Although the volunteers often have to pay for their work abroad and make donations to various organizations they still continue working. It is important, though not to be too full of expectations because it takes a certain amount of time until things work well.

In my opinion “Using a Vacation to Help to Improve the World” is a good and especially helpful way to make the earth a better one.

Anna-Lena

India's Cheaper Labor Lures Diamond Trade From Antwerp

Cassandra

• Antwerp (Belgium) is known for its diamonds
• In the 1970's there were more than 25,000 diamond workers in Antwerp (a lot of them Jews)
• In the time of globalization, a lot of firms have been shifted to India (cheaper workers)
• Today there are only about 800 diamond workers left in Antwerp
• The labor costs in India are only one-fifth of the costs in Belgium
• Very rare stones are still worked in Antwerp (better quality)
• Indians are taking over the market in Antwerp (the share of Jewish sellers has been reduced to a fourth)
• New competition from Dubai
• But Antwerp is still the world center for diamonds (80% of uncut diamonds and 50% of polished diamonds are traded there)

Using a Vacation to Help Improve the World

The article "Using a Vacation to Help Improve the World" by Jane L. Levere published in the New York Times, Dec. 5th, 2005, shows that more and more people begin to realize the necessity that people from different nations come and work together to make the world a better place.

The text lists up international programs and institutions which organize volunteer vacations in poor countries. Worldwide the organizations offer various projects which often concentrate on education, child care, health care and conservation.

The text also emphasizes that you have to inform yourself carefully and it warns people not to start a volunteer vacation project with too high-flying illusions of what you can achieve in a short time. But if you are sure about what you want to do and why, you can enjoy extraordinary vacations in which you will meet people from another culture, get an impression of their daily life and make experiences that you would probably not have made as a tourist.

vocabulary:

to donate

give money for charity, spenden

sustainable-development

nachhaltige Entwicklung

to accomplish

make sth. complete, vollenden

humble

modest, bescheiden

unselfishness

Selbstlosigkeit

Galina

Computers Meant to Aid World's Poor Harm Environment

The article "Computers Meant to Aid World's Poor Harm Environment" from the New York Times, Oct. 31st,2005, informs us about the fact that the United States have sent their used computer equipment, often not repairable and usable any more, to developing countries like Nigeria, China, India or Pakistan, where the imported equipment ends up in landfills. As a consequence, toxins in the equipment pollute the groundwater and create unhealthy conditions.

In the article various reports are quoted which all come to the result that the US are guilty of environmental problems in some of the world's poorest places.

One report, which is entitled "The Digital Dump: Exporting Reuse and Abuse to Africa", accuses recycling businesses in the United States of donating or even selling their unusable equipment to developing countries to avoid the expense of having to recycle the equipment in the US. They just want to get rid of it.

The article also mentions that there exists a United Nations treaty to limit the trade of hazardous waste and, believe it or not, the United States are the only developed country that has not ratified the treaty.

A first improvement is the identification of 30 recyclers in the US who have agreed not to export electronic waste to developing countries any more.

Leonie

Using a Vacation to Help Improve the World – Jane L. Levere

The text “Using a Vacation to Help Improve the World“ by Jane L. Levere is about projects (which) people can participate in during their vacations to help improve the life of other people in the world.

The projects (which) they can take part in are operated by various organizations. Normally the projects focus on education, child care, health care and conservation. And there are projects in the USA and overseas. The example of a construction manager who went to Sri Lanka to build houses for the victims of the December 2004 Tsunami is given. In the article it is said that especially after the Tsunami and September 11 people realized that “there was a real need to help one another”.

The expenses of these “volunteer vacations” normally have to be paid by the people themselves. Sometimes they even have to make a donation to the organization but as a little compensation the trips are often tax-deductible.

One problem of these vacations is that people often have wrong expectations. Hoping that they can change a lot in a short period of time they are disappointed when it does not work out like that.

In the end a woman is quoted who has taken part in many programs which have allowed her to “learn about the culture and not be a tourist – you learn about the people and feel you have some portion of belonging to their culture.”

Vocabulary

tax-deductible

steuerabzüglich

livestock

(Vieh)bestand

tangible

fühlbar, greifbar, klar

Julia

India's cheaper labor lures diamond trade from Antwerp

The article with the same title by Marlise Simons (The NYT, Jan. 9th, '06) talks about the changes in the Antwerp diamond business which are caused by globalisation.

The text explains the shift in the city's importance in diamond trade. Even though its diamond business is more than 500 years old and the most precious stones are still cut and polished in Belgium, more and more work is done in India. Some numbers document this change clearly. In the 70's there have been 25,000 diamond workers in Antwerp, only about 800 are left. "Today, Indians account for two-thirds fo Antwerp's $26 billion diamond trade, while the (...)share of Jewish dealers has been reduced to just a fourth" The reason why India has gained so much strength in that particular business is its cheap labor, which allows a lot of the Antwerp based companies to open plants in this Asian country. Yet, the "capital" of diamond trade still has got the "local expertise and quality", which allows Antwerp to still trade "about 80 percent of all rough diamonds and close to half of polished diamonds".

Comment

The latter point is the only one, which will safe Antwerps diamond business in the nearer future. It is a fate, which is very similar to most western businesses: The only way, that the industrialised countries can keep their high standard is to be inventive and keep the expertise and technology better than the those of the "majority world" countries the work is shifted to. But maybe it is not all wrong that the diamond business is going to India. As the article remarks: "In antiquity, these gemstones were first found, polished and worn in India". So even if it is ironic, we should not just laugh about the upcoming new economic giant named "India". Because besides all "protectionism", which is useful in some ways, we should support them and give them a fair chance to better our future - because we are one world.

by Christof Schnur

Another Comment

I see the reference to the past not as pure irony, but rather as an important argument working towards "globalisation" - What does everybody think brought diamonds and other gemstones to Europe (in this special case the Netherlands)? International trade!

And if India nowadays is "replaying" (restaging / correcting / reversing) history, what are the other countries to do? I can only agree with Christof in this point: Give THEM a better chance to better OUR future - the future of all people on this planet. Shifting economic weight from Europe and the USA to other parts of the world in my eyes can in the long run only generate one result: more economic equality between the countries instead of the dreaded global hegemony of one nation or continent.

by Katharina K.

The Mania for Millionaire Spreads to India

The newspaper article "The Mania for Millionaire' Spreads to India", published in The New York Times on August 29th, 2005 is about a new quiz programme on India's television and its favourable effect on India's cable and satellite television industry.

The article talks about the great interest in watching the Indian version of the British "Who Will Be a Millionaire" called "Kaun Banega", which is already the second version of the show. 24 days after the opening of the second season, already 18 million Indians have applied for the show.

The great success improves the television market so that by now 61 million homes have satellite or cable television in order to watch the show. Now 30 million homes more have television than five years ago. Even the small villages, schools and hospitals have the opportunity to use mobile phones and battery-powered television sets.

Cable and satellite subscribers have monthly incomes of less than $100, so the providers can charge only minimal monthly fees. That is the reason why "Kaun Banega" is important- the advertising revenue is growing.
There are also some well-known sponsors of the show who support it in
advertising and public interest.

-Svenja Schröder-

The Mania for `Millionaire´ Spreads to India

The newspaper article “The Mania for `Millionaire´ Spreads to India” published in The New York Times on August 29th, 2005 deals with an Indian quiz show which has a positive influence on India’s satellite and cable television industry.

The text tells us there is a great interest in watching the Indian quiz show “ Kaun Banega”, a clone of the American program “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire”. Because of its great demand and “ more than passing interest”, there is already a second season. Over 18 million Indians called to compete on the game show, especially for the jackpot (20 million rupees) and the charisma of the moderator, Mr. Bachchan.

Over 61 million homes have satellite or cable television and there is still room to expand, which is on the surface a product of the quiz program. Even in the smaller villages there is an enormous demand for television. Indian providers can charge only minimal fees per month, because subscribers have monthly incomes of less than $100.

All in all the satellite and cable television industry profits from the game shows and there is still room for the market to grow especially in a country of more than a billion inhabitants like India.

by Ann-Christin Broschinski

Vocabulary

contestant

competitor;

contest''

competition

eager

eifrig

lured

verlockt, angelockt

to penetrate

durchdringen

provider

Ernährer / Internetprovider

subscriber

Abonnent

Comment

I like the text about this kind of globalisation. It shows that globalisation can effect a whole country in a very short time. Unfortunately this is not a really positive example of globalisation. The text says that there are households that have a television and cable, but no running water. I think that is a bad situation and it must be the priority to provide all households with running water and electricity instead of a cable connection.

I think if globalisation is used in an effective way, it can help people all over the world. But the reality is that people who have the power to change things with globalisation only change them to make money and not to help people in the world. If that changes many people can have the chance for a better life.

Marvin König

Blood flows with oil in the poor villages of Nigeria by Lydia Polgreen

This article was published in the New York Times on January 9th 2006 and deals with a sudden fight about some poor villages because vast fields of crude oil have been found there. Some oil companies from the United States then offered the inhabitants of those forsaken villages some necessary facilities like a water tower, a generator and a primary school. In return the inhabitants were supposed to let the contractors work freely. After this a sudden fight about who owns the village broke out and escalated but that is not the concern of those contractors anymore. Those people have been forgotten by their own goverment and with this surprising achievement they are totally overwhelmed. At least 17 people have died in the struggle and the villagers and human right groups start to blame those oil companies which pay for the develpoment but create violence.

Antonia

Computers meant to aid world´s poor harm environment

The text "Computers meant to aid world´s poor harm environment" by Laurie J. Flynn deals with the problem that rich nations like the USA send useless or non repairable computer equipment to developing countries which have to carry the burden with it. The USA send this equipment to those countries to avoid the burden of recycling. The Basel Action Networks reports that 50% to 80% of computer equipment was recycled under unregulated and unhealthy conditions. Often the waste is brought to special places where dangerous chemical substances arrive at the groundwater and pollute it. So there are created unhealthy conditions which are dangeruos for humans and the environment.

Swantje

The war was illegal

The Guardian Friday, September 17, 2004

The declaration of the United Nations secretary-general, Kofi Annan, on the Iraq war was shocking in its simplicity. He described it for the first time as "illegal". No caveats. No equivocation. None of the ambiguity loved by diplomats, especially at UN headquarters. The shock is in part because Annan is an inherently cautious individual. He has long professed that his role is basically that of a civil servant carrying out the decisions of the UN security council. But he has finally made his stand, angered by the damage the war has done to Iraq, to the international community and to the UN. He has been building up to these outspoken comments. Only days before the invasion of Iraq in March last year, he hinted at his opposition but without going so far as to declare it illegal, only saying that without a second UN resolution the "war's legitimacy will be questioned and the support for it will be diminished". In September, he returned to this theme, saying pre-emptive strikes "could set precedents for the proliferation of the unilateral and lawless use of force". He finally left all restraint behind in an interview broadcast by the BBC on Wednesday night in which he concluded: "From our point of view and from the charter point of view, it was illegal."

His verdict undercuts the argument pursued relentlessly by George Bush and Tony Blair that the war had UN approval. Blair cites as justification two security council resolutions from the aftermath of the 1991 Gulf war and the one agreed after much tortuous negotiation in 2002, even though it did not warn explicitly of war if Iraq failed to disarm, only of "serious consequences". Annan said on Wednesday this was not enough: a second resolution explicitly authorising war was needed. Both the US and British governments have a tendency to treat the run-up to the war as history. This is especially so in Britain where the government argues that the issues have been gone over exhaustively in the Hutton and Butler inquiries. Weary ministers say that whatever the rights and wrongs of going to war, it is time to address the problems facing Iraq now. But the reasons for going to war still matter because the UN matters, and the credibility of the government matters. The Labour party has a long history of passionate support for the ideals of the UN and international law. And the UN charter is perfectly clear in permitting force in only two circumstances: the first in self-defence and the second when the security council authorises action to counter a threat, usually one regarded as imminent. Neither was the case in Iraq.

Bush personally and Blair through his Downing Street press officer yesterday continued to insist that the case for war was legal. If Blair is so sure of this, it is time for him to publish the legal advice he received at the time from the attorney general in its entirety so that people can judge for themselves.

Blair would like to see the UN take on a bigger role in Iraq but Annan is resistant, partly because of the bombing of the UN headquarters last year and partly, according to one of his advisers, because he does not feel an obligation to sort a mess of someone else's making. The carnage on Iraq's streets shows no sign of lessening, and if the security situation does not improve, there is doubt, as Annan hinted, over the feasibility of holding the country's first democratic election in January as planned. There was a brief hope when the US handed over to the interim Iraq government in June that the worst might be over, but since then there has been the siege of Najaf and this week, which has proved to be one of the bloodiest yet. Civil war and fragmentation of the country remain possible. While Annan's verdict on the war is welcome, the pity is that he did not have the courage to make it last year, before the US and Britain embarked on war.

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