G8 and Live 8
Jul. 1st, 2005 07:53 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
pezAfter reading several newspapers and watching the news coverage, and seeing the quietness about the issue on my flist, I'm starting to wonder how many Americans are aware of the G8 Summit in Scotland (and the related marches and protests), the Live 8 concerts and the Make Poverty History campaign.
Apparently (and I stress that word) most Americans think they are giving enough to Africa. They told opinion polls that 10% of their country's budget is spent on aid, more than any other country. But in truth they only spend less than 0.2%, and that's less than any other wealthy nation. George Bush promises to double the aid money in 5 years, but 3/4 of this increase has already been done and 70% is tied to the purchase of US goods and services, according to ActionAid. I'm disturbed.
After watching the situation in Africa on TV for so many years, it feels that this time something really can be done. I might be a bit hopeful but hey, that's how everything begins.
[edit] Is it just me or does anyone else want to smash Mugabe's face in?
Apparently (and I stress that word) most Americans think they are giving enough to Africa. They told opinion polls that 10% of their country's budget is spent on aid, more than any other country. But in truth they only spend less than 0.2%, and that's less than any other wealthy nation. George Bush promises to double the aid money in 5 years, but 3/4 of this increase has already been done and 70% is tied to the purchase of US goods and services, according to ActionAid. I'm disturbed.
After watching the situation in Africa on TV for so many years, it feels that this time something really can be done. I might be a bit hopeful but hey, that's how everything begins.
[edit] Is it just me or does anyone else want to smash Mugabe's face in?
