TYING DEBT RELIEF FUNDS EXCLUSIVELY TO HIV/AIDS TREATMENT IS DISINGENUOUS
Abdul - Kadir O. Etuazim
December 30, 2005
I want to choose the details of my life. Fortunately, I’ve come to appreciate how important it is to give others the freedom to choose their own paths. None of us wants our choice robbed from us. I can’t know what’s best for anyone but me. So why give unsolicited advice to others and expect them to follow it? “The truest characters of ignorance are vanity, and pride and arrogance.”
- Samuel Butler
In most parts of the third world, initiatives and policies from the industrialized countries are met with great skepticism. This outcome never fails to confound so many, especially in the developed world. The fact of the matter is that suspicion of the west, rightly or wrongly, runs wide and deep in the third world. Over the years, it appears that most policies are skewed in favor of the bottom line of big business.
In other words, by the time the dust settles on supposed sound policies, the big business interests smile to the bank. Hence, it is not uncommon to read about references to mercantilist tendencies of westerners in third world texts. This often translates to “head we lose, tail they win”. As such, most favorable policies end up in “wait and see room” and eventually dying. Opponents of such policies know how to clog wheels. The relevance of policies to development cannot be belittled or overemphasized.
However, the methods and arguments deployed in the introduction of policies are in some cases sub par. For instance, there is abundant information on second by second rate of HIV/AIDS infection rates and death rates in the developing world; at the same time nothing comparable exists for, say, the number of the starving due to agricultural subsidies of the industrialized world. Much is said about the benefits of free trade but when the issue of subsidies crop up, protectionist fervor clouds reason. When conflicting signals cluster the radar screen of those of us who believe in free markets, the task of explaining the message becomes extra difficult.
There is no consensus on what constitutes poverty level. Instead, the refrain is “living on less than one dollar a day.” This lazy, probably deliberate, approach relegates the cost of living index in determining what is needed to afford three square meals daily. There ought to be a better alternative in explaining the level of poverty that should resonate in all parts of the world. Spreading free market economy principles is at the grass roots level. Getting the message across in plain language is quintessential.
Using linear logic in an environment where curvilinear reasoning prevails is a nonstarter. Connecting different events, in different epochs, is one of the hallmarks of a curvilinear logic oriented society. This dichotomy is at the heart of the perception of the west in most third world countries and other cultures. Until this difference is acknowledged and taken into account in many spheres of interaction, especially communications, the talk about winning hearts and minds will not get off the drawing board.
Recently, news wires reported proposals to the effect that debt relief funds be dedicated to the treatment of HIV/AIDS. There would be multifarious interpretations. Some will see it thus: debt relief is off but still on. In other quarters, it would elicit a response of “I told you so” from the critics; possibly alluding to the way the campaign against AIDS has overtaken other issues. The proposal, if it is true, when executed will be a terrible set back for those of us working assiduously for the betterment of our countries on so many fronts.
First, the achievements recorded, so far, in the fight against AIDS would suffer a calamitous set back. The antagonists must be chuckling and rubbing their palms in anticipation of this heaven sent weapon of mass deception. There will be something to point to; justifying their hypothesis that HIV/AIDS campaign is another ploy by the rich countries to add more feathers to their economic hats.
The perception would be exacerbated by the sad fact that cross-cultural communication has never been one of the strong points of the western world. This has accounted for the poor reception of many sound plans introduced or championed by western institutions. The doubters in the third world live by and breathe the air of effective communication patterns in local settings. While the west relies more on electronic media to propagate ideas, there exist a faster routes in the third world. This is part of what I offer in my consulting business.
Another prospective set back is in the development of relevant sectors to turn around the fortunes of developing countries. Huge investments are imperative in education, health, transportation, security, democratic institutions and other important segments if the developing world is to move out of its perennial basket case situation. Studies are yet to identify any country that prides itself on living on hands outs.
Residents of the G8 countries should not be ridden to death with requests for financial and material assistance. Won’t it be nice to have a situation where the money sent to alleviate avoidable tragedies is spent on tourism? It might sound utopian but with concerted efforts the goal is attainable.
Lastly, protests at economic summits and other events organized to address pressing developmental issues would be fuelled, thereby distracting from the concerns at hand. The protesters have raised some cogent points but the thuggish displays of a few, on some occasions, have glossed over the crucial messages. What a better gift to groups eager to go on destructive rides.
The fear of the donor countries over corruption and mismanagement of the proceeds from debt cancellation and debt relief is understandable. Minimizing corruption in the short run, with a view to a long-term relative eradication is within reach. What is needed is a zero level tolerance of money laundering. To show commitment, all ill gotten wealth hibernating in western banks should be retrieved and held in trust for the long suffering citizens of the various countries.
The question of how to manage the disbursement follows. It is possible to introduce new mechanisms or work with existing structures to check mate abuses. There are many Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) operating in all nooks and crannies of the globe. Their expertise could be put to good use. Alternatively, conscripting former world leaders to oversee projects financed by debt relief or debt cancellation funds is worthy of consideration.
Prioritization of expenditure should be on the exclusive list of the recipient countries. Anything to the contrary would lend credence to the perception that there is always a selfish underpinning of western policies.
- Samuel Butler
In most parts of the third world, initiatives and policies from the industrialized countries are met with great skepticism. This outcome never fails to confound so many, especially in the developed world. The fact of the matter is that suspicion of the west, rightly or wrongly, runs wide and deep in the third world. Over the years, it appears that most policies are skewed in favor of the bottom line of big business.
In other words, by the time the dust settles on supposed sound policies, the big business interests smile to the bank. Hence, it is not uncommon to read about references to mercantilist tendencies of westerners in third world texts. This often translates to “head we lose, tail they win”. As such, most favorable policies end up in “wait and see room” and eventually dying. Opponents of such policies know how to clog wheels. The relevance of policies to development cannot be belittled or overemphasized.
However, the methods and arguments deployed in the introduction of policies are in some cases sub par. For instance, there is abundant information on second by second rate of HIV/AIDS infection rates and death rates in the developing world; at the same time nothing comparable exists for, say, the number of the starving due to agricultural subsidies of the industrialized world. Much is said about the benefits of free trade but when the issue of subsidies crop up, protectionist fervor clouds reason. When conflicting signals cluster the radar screen of those of us who believe in free markets, the task of explaining the message becomes extra difficult.
There is no consensus on what constitutes poverty level. Instead, the refrain is “living on less than one dollar a day.” This lazy, probably deliberate, approach relegates the cost of living index in determining what is needed to afford three square meals daily. There ought to be a better alternative in explaining the level of poverty that should resonate in all parts of the world. Spreading free market economy principles is at the grass roots level. Getting the message across in plain language is quintessential.
Using linear logic in an environment where curvilinear reasoning prevails is a nonstarter. Connecting different events, in different epochs, is one of the hallmarks of a curvilinear logic oriented society. This dichotomy is at the heart of the perception of the west in most third world countries and other cultures. Until this difference is acknowledged and taken into account in many spheres of interaction, especially communications, the talk about winning hearts and minds will not get off the drawing board.
Recently, news wires reported proposals to the effect that debt relief funds be dedicated to the treatment of HIV/AIDS. There would be multifarious interpretations. Some will see it thus: debt relief is off but still on. In other quarters, it would elicit a response of “I told you so” from the critics; possibly alluding to the way the campaign against AIDS has overtaken other issues. The proposal, if it is true, when executed will be a terrible set back for those of us working assiduously for the betterment of our countries on so many fronts.
First, the achievements recorded, so far, in the fight against AIDS would suffer a calamitous set back. The antagonists must be chuckling and rubbing their palms in anticipation of this heaven sent weapon of mass deception. There will be something to point to; justifying their hypothesis that HIV/AIDS campaign is another ploy by the rich countries to add more feathers to their economic hats.
The perception would be exacerbated by the sad fact that cross-cultural communication has never been one of the strong points of the western world. This has accounted for the poor reception of many sound plans introduced or championed by western institutions. The doubters in the third world live by and breathe the air of effective communication patterns in local settings. While the west relies more on electronic media to propagate ideas, there exist a faster routes in the third world. This is part of what I offer in my consulting business.
Another prospective set back is in the development of relevant sectors to turn around the fortunes of developing countries. Huge investments are imperative in education, health, transportation, security, democratic institutions and other important segments if the developing world is to move out of its perennial basket case situation. Studies are yet to identify any country that prides itself on living on hands outs.
Residents of the G8 countries should not be ridden to death with requests for financial and material assistance. Won’t it be nice to have a situation where the money sent to alleviate avoidable tragedies is spent on tourism? It might sound utopian but with concerted efforts the goal is attainable.
Lastly, protests at economic summits and other events organized to address pressing developmental issues would be fuelled, thereby distracting from the concerns at hand. The protesters have raised some cogent points but the thuggish displays of a few, on some occasions, have glossed over the crucial messages. What a better gift to groups eager to go on destructive rides.
The fear of the donor countries over corruption and mismanagement of the proceeds from debt cancellation and debt relief is understandable. Minimizing corruption in the short run, with a view to a long-term relative eradication is within reach. What is needed is a zero level tolerance of money laundering. To show commitment, all ill gotten wealth hibernating in western banks should be retrieved and held in trust for the long suffering citizens of the various countries.
The question of how to manage the disbursement follows. It is possible to introduce new mechanisms or work with existing structures to check mate abuses. There are many Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) operating in all nooks and crannies of the globe. Their expertise could be put to good use. Alternatively, conscripting former world leaders to oversee projects financed by debt relief or debt cancellation funds is worthy of consideration.
Prioritization of expenditure should be on the exclusive list of the recipient countries. Anything to the contrary would lend credence to the perception that there is always a selfish underpinning of western policies.
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