Showing posts with label Issues. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Issues. Show all posts
2010/02/25
2009/06/05
Home - stop thinking about money, and start thinking about your life
Home - watch this incredible documentary and change your way of thinking and action! :) It's the first documentary / material / movie I see that presents the links between pollution and poverty, and provides the whole picture, with causes and effects, of our own home destruction which happens "faster and faster". We have only 10 years left to change the way in which we developed ourselves and this world in which we live. After 10 years there will be no way back.The producer Luc Besson has released the new documentary online entirely for free. It is available on youtube till June 14th. Watch it, at least for the breathtaking images!
Here is the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqxENMKaeCU
2009/06/04
Garapa
For the English version of this article, click here. Apa fiarta cu zahar. Asta e hrana de fiecare zi a copiilor din satele sau suburbiile sarace din Brazilia. Nu m-a socat nimic din acest documentar - Garapa. Modul de viata, mentalitatea familiilor, preocuparile lor seamana perfect cu cele ale familiilor din Romania care traiesc in saracie.
Am invatat inca o data ca saracia este la fel peste tot in lume. Oamenilor le e foame, copiii sunt bolnavi, dezbracati, nu au parte de scoala. Adultii nu gasesc de munca, cu totii traiesc in case mizere, nu au apa, imbracaminte. Alcoolism, dependenta de tutun, boli venerice, hepatita, infractionalitate sunt doar cateva dintre problemele care se repeta comunitate cu comunitate.
Ce am invatat nou? Cu burtile lipite de spate, oamenii nu fac nicio legatura directa dintre situatia in care se afla si faptele lor. Sunt saraci si rabda foame pentru ca nu ploua, pentru ca Dumnezeu vrea (“God gives”), pentru ca nu sunt locuri de munca, pentru ca orasul este departe, pentru ca statul nu le da nimic, pentru ca nu au acte. Si au dreptate. Solutiile care i-ar putea scoate din saracie ii depasesc. Si de ce i-ar asculta pe altii? De ce ar crede in cei care ii condamna sau dispretuiesc?
Nu sunt educati, nu au avut modelele potrivite pe care sa le urmeze si de la care sa invete, nu au resursele si puterea necesara sa treaca peste barierele pe care le vad la tot pasul. Lumea se uita urat la ei si in urma cu mai putin de un secol unii doreau sa ii extermine de dragul speciei umane si al teoriilor adunate in “eugenics”.
Aduna frustrare sau se resemneaza sa manance cat de cat normal 12 zile din 30. Tac, inchid ochii si intorc spatele copilului care plange de durere de dinti, pentru ca nu au ce sa ii faca – bani de medicamente nu sunt, orasul e departe, doctorul costa. Nu e nimic de facut. O sa treaca. Copilul sa va lupta singur cu durerea, cu boala, cu foamea. Cei ce pierd aceste lupte mor si mor in jur de 16.000 pe zi in intreaga lume.
Garapa in Brazil and anywhere in the world
Boiled water with sugar. That’s the main meal of the children living in poor villages or suburbs from Brazil. Nothing shocked me in this documentary – Garapa. Their way of living, their mentality, their habits are very similar with those of the Romanian families living in poverty. Once again, I learned that the poverty is the same wherever you go in this world. People are hungry, the kids are sick, undressed and they don’t go to school. Their parents have no job, they live in dirty houses. Drugs and alcohol addictions, STDs, hepatitis, crimes are only some of the problems that affect every single poor community.
What did I find out? With the hunger in their bones, these people don’t make any connection between their actions and the situation they are living in. They are poor and hungry because: there is no rain, “God gives”, the government doesn’t help them, the city is far away, there are no jobs for them, they don’t have IDs. And they are right. They are not able to see any solution for themselves. And why would they listen to others? Why would they trust people who judge or hate them?
They have no education, they had no positive adult models in their childhood, they don’t have enough power and resource to cope with their problems. Besides these, people living around treat them bad, and just one century ago others were making plans to exterminate them, in order to clean the society and put in practice “eugenics” theories.
These poor people get frustrated or resign, eating normally only 12 days out of 30. They close their eyes, and turn their back to their own child when this one is crying because his/her teeth hurt. There is no money for medicine drugs, the city is far away, and the doctor is expensive. There is nothing they can do for him/her. He/she has to deal with the pain, the illness or the hunger alone. Those who lose these every day battles are dying, and every day, around the world, 16,000 children are defeated.
2009/04/26
O afacere profitabila ce trebuie oprita de consumatori
Afacerile cele mai necurate si cele mai profitabile nu sunt nici cele cu arme si nici cele cu droguri. Fiinta umana traficata pare sa devina afacerea viitorului pentru organizatiile criminale. Cateva grame de cocaina se vand si se consuma o singura data, femeia sau copilul traficat se vinde de cateva ori pe zi si poate la nesfarsit sau pana la sfarsitul vietii lor – mor in chinuri sau reusesc sa se sinucida.
27 milioane de oameni sunt traficati pentru munca fortata sau pentru sex in fiecare an. 80% dintre victime sunt femei, mai bine de jumatate dintre cei traficati sunt copii. De obicei, victimelor li se promite un “dus” de bunastare, fericire, vise ce pot deveni realitate. Sunt prostite, luate de pe strada sau vandute de cei in care aveau cea mai mare incredere – parinti sau rude sau prieteni apropiati. Se simt vinovate ca au crezut in cineva sau ca au visat. Cu cutitul la gat in fiecare zi, vandute de 10-20 de ori pe zi, brutalizate de stapani si clienti, nu se mai simt oameni. Se supun, pentru ca cei care le controleaza ii controleaza si pe cei dragi lor sau pentru ca spera ca suferinta lor nu poate dura la nesfarsit si vor doar sa supravietuiasca.
Mor. Si daca nu mor, cum va fi viata lor dupa aceea? Atunci cand se arunca de la etajul unui hotel de cartier prost faimat si sunt gasite moarte pe strada fara acte si imbracate provocator – asa cum le-au obligat “stapanii” – sunt tratate ca prostituate, cadavre pe care nu le revendica nimeni. Atunci cand reusesc sa fie salvate, nu primesc mai multa consideratie, iar compasiunea nu le ajuta. Ce ai putea sa le spui? Ce ai putea schimba in acel moment? Nimic.
Cand nu ne place un produs, nu-l mai cumparam. Ar fi capabili consumatorii de fiinte traficate sa renunte sa le cumpere si/sau consume? Daca am reusi sa privim acest subiect ca un subiect de economie internationala, ca o piata cu cerere si oferta, asa cum o fac organizatiile criminale, ne-am concentra nu doar pe “stapani”, pe cei care vand, cat si pe cei care cumpara – clientii. Ei trebuie opriti.
2009/04/20
Mapendo
Few days ago I started to read Paula by Isabel Allende. Yesterday evening I found this speech where she “tells tales of passion” – passion that makes people to change themselves and the world.
It’s also a speech about… women. I learned that saying “it’s not fair!” is not enough, and you have to find “mapendo” – the great love or passion that helps you make a difference.
2009/03/22
Ce se intampla, doctore? (partea a doua)
For the English version of this article, click here.
"The talks may seem high-minded and maybe even irrelevant to the person in the street: nothing could be farther from the truth. This summit has to start to lay a creative map for the world ahead.
Past economic collapses have one particularly unfortunate consequence - they often end in conflict, in war. It would be welcome if this time, human beings could crack that model."http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7907780.stm
Da, v-ati prins, este vorba despre viitorul summit-ul G20 din Londra, din 2 aprilie, cel pe care eu il astept inca de la articolul "What's up doc?". Atunci eram foarte revoltata ca cei 20 de lideri mondiali nu se misca destul de repede si nici nu prea stiu ce sa faca si... asteapta.
Discutiile astea ale lor poate ca sunt irelevante pentru salariul meu si al celorlalti, dar mi-e teama ca cei 20 de lideri o sa uite de niste lucruri extrem de importante. Poate ati auzit de bancul ong-istilor cu acei copii aruncati in rau a carui morala era ca trebuie oprita acea persoana care arunca pruncii si nu sa tot sara cate un ong-ist dupa fiecare copil aruncat in rau, sa il salveze. Acum mi-e teama ca, in timp cei 20 de lideri cauta "ucigasul de copii" si gandesc strategii care sa impiedice alti oameni sa arunce copiii in rau, tot ei o sa uite de "copiii" care sunt deja in rau sau chiar de raul poluat. Adica o sa lase pe ultimul plan saracia globala care se adanceste, mediul care se murdareste tot mai tare, resursele care se scurg si nevoia de a "inventa" constant a omenirii.
Pe de alta parte, imi place atitudinea pe care o adopta, exact contrara crizei anilor '20-'30. Cel putin tarile UE vor sa lupte impotriva protectionismului si sustin ca criza trebuie rezolvata prin planuri globale bazate pe incredere si cooperare. Acum, pot sa spuna una si sa faca alta, desi nu prea cred ca au incotro si musai sa faca ceea ce spun.
SUA, Franta si tarile din Asia de Est nu prea sunt de acord si vor protectionism national si si-au cam facut de cap, daca nu ele ca tara, atunci companiile lor. Insa chiar daca acestea adopta o politica de protectie a economiilor nationale, cati consumatori "globali" vor alege sa cumpere un produs doar pentru ca asa ar incuraja economia nationala ??? Stiu ca nu e vorba doar de consum, ci si de productie, de importuri si exporturi, dar nu cred ca se mai poate pune stavila globalizarii, atata vreme cat aceasta a devenit extrem de accesibila la nivel individual, iar intermediarii - cei care ar putea initia regulile jocului - au disparut sau sunt pe cale de disparitie. Ce o sa faca? Ne taie Internetul? Ne confisca telefoanele? Opresc televiziunile? Distrug avioanele? Inchid granitele? Sau le scumpesc pe toate?
What's up, doc? (2nd episode)
"The talks may seem high-minded and maybe even irrelevant to the person in the street: nothing could be farther from the truth. This summit has to start to lay a creative map for the world ahead.
Past economic collapses have one particularly unfortunate consequence - they often end in conflict, in war. It would be welcome if this time, human beings could crack that model."http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7907780.stm
Yes, you got it. I want to talk about G20 summit from London (April 2nd), the summit that I'm waiting for since "What's up, doc?" article. At that time I was mad that the 20 leaders don't work fast enough, they don't really know what to do and they just... wait.
Their meetings and discussions may not be relevant for my income or others' income, but I'm afraid that those leaders will forget some really important things in this process of getting the world out of the financial crisis. Maybe you heard the nonprofit joke/story with those babies thrown into the river. The conclusion of the story is that it is better to catch the one who throws the babies into the water than to wait for babies on the river and save them.
I'm afraid that while these leaders will look for "the babies killer" and build strategies to prevent any other incident like this one, the same leaders will forget about the babies who are already into the water or about the river which is strongly polluted. In other words, they might forget about the global poverty which is getting worse, the environment which is dirtier and dirtier, about the resources which are less and less, and about the constant human need for inventing and re-inventing itself.
On the other side, I like the new attitude which seems to be the opposite of the one from '20s-'30s crisis. At least, it seems like the EU countries are decided to fight against national protectionism and they suggest that the financial crisis must be solved through global plans based on trust and cooperation. Now, they can "talk" this, but they can "walk" it differently. I hope and believe that they cannot do it in another way - they have to stay globally.
USA, France and East Asia don't really agree the previous idea and they took some actions and established some protectionist rules. But even so, how many "global" consumers will change their habits/tastes only to support the national economy? I know that it's not everything about consuming, that it is also about imports, exports, production, etc. But still I do not think that we can stop the globalization, as it is already "on the street", and it's working not only for countries, governments and companies, but also for individuals. What will "they"(the powerful leaders) do? They will cut the Internet? They will take our phones? They will stop the TV channels? They will destroy the planes? They will close the borders? They will increase the prices for all these "networking" and "communication" global services?
2009/02/09
Criza pe intelesul copiilor
For the English version of this article click here.
Mama este omul care are cele mai frumoase povesti de la locul de munca. Lucreaza intr-o gradinita. Ce auzi acolo, nu auzi niciunde. Dupa ultimele ei povesti cu personajele mele favorite (am eu cativa copii pe care ii recunosc pe strada numai din povestile lu' mama), criza economica nu numai ca loveste si unde nu te astepti, dar e si din ce in ce mai explicita - pe intelesul copiilor.
Inchipuiti-va un pusti ardelean de trei ani, ajuns dimineata la 7 la gradinita, cu tramvaiul, mai mult adormit decat treaz. Supararea lui trece dincolo de faptul ca tatal a trebuit sa vanda masina si acum vine cu tramvaiul: marea lui problema este bugetul national al Romaniei.
Plimbandu-se de la un capat la altul al salii, gesticuland precum un om mare intra in vorba cu mama: "Angelă, nu stiu ce fac astia cu bugetul, ca nu mai maresc odata salariile. O inghetat tat. Si tata nu vindea masina, daca stia ca ne-om descurca asa de greu. Si eu am acasa un tractor. Da' s-au gatat bateriile. Mi-o zis mama ca nu sunt bani. Si iti dai seama ca imi trebuie nu una, ca doua baterii!"
Explicatii: parintii sunt bugetari si asteapta/spera ca odata cu bugetul se maresc salariile. Si atunci pustiul trage concluzia ca daca bugetul iese pe teava, are si el baterii pentru tractor si poate veni cu masina la gradinita.
Dupa cateva zile, adica azi, subiectul este reluat de acelasi pusti. Intra ingrijitoarea in sala, iar cel mic intreaba: "N-ai vazut nimic la stiri? Ce fac astia cu bugetul?"
In aceeasi zi, la aceeasi gradinita, de grija bugetului sau a altor jocuri si jucarii de criza, copiii nu au somn si, in lipsa educatoarei, in varful paturilor de pitici din Alba-ca-Zapada, fac sedinta.
Mama este omul care are cele mai frumoase povesti de la locul de munca. Lucreaza intr-o gradinita. Ce auzi acolo, nu auzi niciunde. Dupa ultimele ei povesti cu personajele mele favorite (am eu cativa copii pe care ii recunosc pe strada numai din povestile lu' mama), criza economica nu numai ca loveste si unde nu te astepti, dar e si din ce in ce mai explicita - pe intelesul copiilor.
Inchipuiti-va un pusti ardelean de trei ani, ajuns dimineata la 7 la gradinita, cu tramvaiul, mai mult adormit decat treaz. Supararea lui trece dincolo de faptul ca tatal a trebuit sa vanda masina si acum vine cu tramvaiul: marea lui problema este bugetul national al Romaniei.
Plimbandu-se de la un capat la altul al salii, gesticuland precum un om mare intra in vorba cu mama: "Angelă, nu stiu ce fac astia cu bugetul, ca nu mai maresc odata salariile. O inghetat tat. Si tata nu vindea masina, daca stia ca ne-om descurca asa de greu. Si eu am acasa un tractor. Da' s-au gatat bateriile. Mi-o zis mama ca nu sunt bani. Si iti dai seama ca imi trebuie nu una, ca doua baterii!"
Explicatii: parintii sunt bugetari si asteapta/spera ca odata cu bugetul se maresc salariile. Si atunci pustiul trage concluzia ca daca bugetul iese pe teava, are si el baterii pentru tractor si poate veni cu masina la gradinita.
Dupa cateva zile, adica azi, subiectul este reluat de acelasi pusti. Intra ingrijitoarea in sala, iar cel mic intreaba: "N-ai vazut nimic la stiri? Ce fac astia cu bugetul?"
In aceeasi zi, la aceeasi gradinita, de grija bugetului sau a altor jocuri si jucarii de criza, copiii nu au somn si, in lipsa educatoarei, in varful paturilor de pitici din Alba-ca-Zapada, fac sedinta.
The crisis explained by kids
My mom has the most wonderful stories from work. She works in a kindergarten. You cannot imagine what you can hear in such a beautiful place. The last stories from her with my favorite "characters" (I have some favorite kids that I can recognize on the street only using my mom's stories) proved that the economic crisis hits where you don't expect and it is clearer than ever, and it can be understood even by kids.
Imagine a three years old child, in an early morning. He got to the kindergaten by tram, because his father had to sell the car. He is almost sleeping, and sad. His main concern it's not the tram, but the Romania's national budget.
Walking and talking as an old men, tells my mom: "Angela, I don't know what they are doing right now with this budget, 'cause they didn't raise any salary. Everything is frozen. My dad wouldn't have sold the car, if he had known how bad it is. I have at home my own big car [a toy], but the batteries are empty. My mom told me that there is no money for batteries. And I need not just one, but two of them!"
Some explanations: his parents work for government and they are waiting and hoping for a salary increase as soon as the budget will be approved. So the kid concluded that when the budget is done, he can buy the batteries he needs and come to the kindergarten with his car.
After a couple of days, the kid re-discusses the issue: "Did you see the news? Is there anything new about the budget?"
On the same day, in the same kindergarten, the kids cannot sleep because of the budget or other "wonderful" worries. In the top of their small beds, they have an important meeting that looks like a governmental one.
Imagine a three years old child, in an early morning. He got to the kindergaten by tram, because his father had to sell the car. He is almost sleeping, and sad. His main concern it's not the tram, but the Romania's national budget.
Walking and talking as an old men, tells my mom: "Angela, I don't know what they are doing right now with this budget, 'cause they didn't raise any salary. Everything is frozen. My dad wouldn't have sold the car, if he had known how bad it is. I have at home my own big car [a toy], but the batteries are empty. My mom told me that there is no money for batteries. And I need not just one, but two of them!"
Some explanations: his parents work for government and they are waiting and hoping for a salary increase as soon as the budget will be approved. So the kid concluded that when the budget is done, he can buy the batteries he needs and come to the kindergarten with his car.
After a couple of days, the kid re-discusses the issue: "Did you see the news? Is there anything new about the budget?"
On the same day, in the same kindergarten, the kids cannot sleep because of the budget or other "wonderful" worries. In the top of their small beds, they have an important meeting that looks like a governmental one.
2008/11/15
Ce se intampla, doctore?
For the English version of this article click here.
Argentina, Australia, Brazilia, Canada, China, Franta, Germania, India, Indonezia, Italia, Japonia, Mexic, Rusia, Arabia Saudita, Africa de Sud, Coreea de Sud, Turcia, Marea Britanie, Statele Unite si Uniunea Europeana fac parte din G20 si detin 85% din economia lumii. Liderii acestora (inca nu stiu cum sa le numesc si o sa explic confuzia la final) s-au intalnit la Washington sa puna lumea la cale. Sincer, nu am fost acolo si nu pricep exact de ce s-au intalnit. Ori se tem sa spuna ca s-au intalnit sa vada cum iesim din criza financiara si din foamea care ne paste, ori nu asta e scopul intalnirii lor. Ori nu am citit eu articolele care trebuie.
De cateva zile citesc articole despre acest summit si imi dau seama ca "situatiunea" e mult prea complexa pentru mine si chiar si pentru cei care s-au intalnit. Tarile vest-europene au convocat intalnirea si vor standarde si mai multa strictete. SUA a acceptat intalnirea si vrea in continuare piata libera si crede in capitalism. China comunista are banii si economia ei e inca infloritoare. Brazilia si alte "emerging economies", care pot da bani, vor mai multa putere in FMI si World Bank si vin cu ideea "geniala" la care, daaaah, nu s-a gandit nimeni pana acum: in toiul globalizarii, avem nevoie de o miscare la fel de globala pentru a iesi din criza. Deci nu va mai jucati cu lopatica, fiecare separat, in nisipul lui si ganditi global pentru tot Pamantul asta. Ok. Inteles. Discutat.
Si cu noi cum ramane? Nici concluziile nu le-am inteles. Dupa o intalnire similara din '44 (la care au participat 44 de tari, nu 20 de puteri!!!) lucrurile au fost mult mai clare, iar rezultatele concrete: s-a infiintat UN, FMI, World Bank, planul Marshall, iar economiile au crescut ca niste feti-frumosi. Dupa intalnirea din aceste zile, cele 20 de puteri s-au hotarat sa readuca lumea pe valul cresterii economice (poftim??? atat???) si sa faca un nou "trade deal" in cateva saptamani (cand? cine? ce? de ce? cum?).
Daca dupa aceeasi intalnire din '44 lumea a inceput sa creada cu adevarat in acei lideri si in planurile lor, dupa summitul de acum, eu (voi?) nu cred nimic si in nimeni. Mai tare ma inspaimant. Piata financiara, dar si viata de zi cu zi, in mintea mea, se bazeaza pe incredere si mutualitate. Astea au cam disparut si sunt greu de refacut la orice nivel. Arunc cuvinte, idei, imi pare rau, dar nu am nici o solutie decat sa incerc sa ma "incred" in cei care ar putea gasi o solutie. Astept.
Si iata aici si confuzia mea de inceput: printre puteri apar mentionate separat de UE, asa cum poate ati observat si voi deja, Franta, Germania, Italia si Marea Britanie. Fac parte din UE tarile astea, nu? Sau au iesit si nu mi-au spus mie? Deci cand pe jos, cand in caruta? Cam ciudata atitudine cand vrei sau cel putin declari ca vrei sa creezi o Europa puternica si unita, ca de aia se cheama Uniune!
Argentina, Australia, Brazilia, Canada, China, Franta, Germania, India, Indonezia, Italia, Japonia, Mexic, Rusia, Arabia Saudita, Africa de Sud, Coreea de Sud, Turcia, Marea Britanie, Statele Unite si Uniunea Europeana fac parte din G20 si detin 85% din economia lumii. Liderii acestora (inca nu stiu cum sa le numesc si o sa explic confuzia la final) s-au intalnit la Washington sa puna lumea la cale. Sincer, nu am fost acolo si nu pricep exact de ce s-au intalnit. Ori se tem sa spuna ca s-au intalnit sa vada cum iesim din criza financiara si din foamea care ne paste, ori nu asta e scopul intalnirii lor. Ori nu am citit eu articolele care trebuie.
De cateva zile citesc articole despre acest summit si imi dau seama ca "situatiunea" e mult prea complexa pentru mine si chiar si pentru cei care s-au intalnit. Tarile vest-europene au convocat intalnirea si vor standarde si mai multa strictete. SUA a acceptat intalnirea si vrea in continuare piata libera si crede in capitalism. China comunista are banii si economia ei e inca infloritoare. Brazilia si alte "emerging economies", care pot da bani, vor mai multa putere in FMI si World Bank si vin cu ideea "geniala" la care, daaaah, nu s-a gandit nimeni pana acum: in toiul globalizarii, avem nevoie de o miscare la fel de globala pentru a iesi din criza. Deci nu va mai jucati cu lopatica, fiecare separat, in nisipul lui si ganditi global pentru tot Pamantul asta. Ok. Inteles. Discutat.
Si cu noi cum ramane? Nici concluziile nu le-am inteles. Dupa o intalnire similara din '44 (la care au participat 44 de tari, nu 20 de puteri!!!) lucrurile au fost mult mai clare, iar rezultatele concrete: s-a infiintat UN, FMI, World Bank, planul Marshall, iar economiile au crescut ca niste feti-frumosi. Dupa intalnirea din aceste zile, cele 20 de puteri s-au hotarat sa readuca lumea pe valul cresterii economice (poftim??? atat???) si sa faca un nou "trade deal" in cateva saptamani (cand? cine? ce? de ce? cum?).
Daca dupa aceeasi intalnire din '44 lumea a inceput sa creada cu adevarat in acei lideri si in planurile lor, dupa summitul de acum, eu (voi?) nu cred nimic si in nimeni. Mai tare ma inspaimant. Piata financiara, dar si viata de zi cu zi, in mintea mea, se bazeaza pe incredere si mutualitate. Astea au cam disparut si sunt greu de refacut la orice nivel. Arunc cuvinte, idei, imi pare rau, dar nu am nici o solutie decat sa incerc sa ma "incred" in cei care ar putea gasi o solutie. Astept.
Si iata aici si confuzia mea de inceput: printre puteri apar mentionate separat de UE, asa cum poate ati observat si voi deja, Franta, Germania, Italia si Marea Britanie. Fac parte din UE tarile astea, nu? Sau au iesit si nu mi-au spus mie? Deci cand pe jos, cand in caruta? Cam ciudata atitudine cand vrei sau cel putin declari ca vrei sa creezi o Europa puternica si unita, ca de aia se cheama Uniune!
What's up, doc?
Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the US and the EU are members of G20 and represent 85% of world's economy. G20 leaders met in Washington to plan the future for this world. Honestly, I wasn't there and I am not able to understand WHY they actually met. They might be afraid to say that they met to find a solution to get out from the financial crisis, or probably that's not the real reason of the summit. Or I didn't read the right articles. Who knows?!
Few days ago I started to read intensively about the summit and now I can say that the situation is too complex for me and even for those leaders who met in Washington. The Western European countries asked for the meeting, and they want "standards" and more control over the market. US accepted the "date" and they still love the free market and the capitalism. The communist China has the money and its economy is still growing. Brazil and other "emerging economies", which can "deliver" the money to the others, want more power and control over IMF and World Bank, and these countries come with a brilliant idea (daaah, nobody thought about it before - ironic): in the time of globalization, we need a global movement to get out from this crisis. In other words, don't play by yourself in your own backyard, and think globally for all this planet. Ok. Got it.
What about us? I didn't get the end, the conclusions of the summit. In '44, after a similar meeting (between 44 countries, and not 20 "powers") the things were clearer, and the results - obvious: UN, IMF, World Bank, Marshall plan were established, and the world's economy started to grow as in a fairy-tale. After these days summit, the 20 leaders "pledge to restore the growth" (what? that's all?) and to make a new "trade deal" within weeks (when? who? what? why? how?).
After the same meeting from '44, the people started to believe/trust those leaders and their plans. After this summit, I (what about you?) don't trust anything and anyone. Moreover, I am more and more concerned. The financial world, and the everyday life (in my opinion) are based on trust and reciprocity. These two disappeared and it's hard to recover them at any level. I write words, and manage ideas. I'm sorry, I don't have any solution. All I can do is to try to put my trust in those who should find a solution for this situation. I'm waiting.
P.S. As you probably observed, in G20 there are some European countries mentioned separately from EU: France, Germany, Italy and UK. Aren't these EU members anymore? Did they get out from EU and they didn't tell me a thing? With or without EU? They should decide what they want, because I consider this attitude to be a weird one in a context in which these countries support or, at least, they say they support a strong and unified Europe called European UNION.
Few days ago I started to read intensively about the summit and now I can say that the situation is too complex for me and even for those leaders who met in Washington. The Western European countries asked for the meeting, and they want "standards" and more control over the market. US accepted the "date" and they still love the free market and the capitalism. The communist China has the money and its economy is still growing. Brazil and other "emerging economies", which can "deliver" the money to the others, want more power and control over IMF and World Bank, and these countries come with a brilliant idea (daaah, nobody thought about it before - ironic): in the time of globalization, we need a global movement to get out from this crisis. In other words, don't play by yourself in your own backyard, and think globally for all this planet. Ok. Got it.
What about us? I didn't get the end, the conclusions of the summit. In '44, after a similar meeting (between 44 countries, and not 20 "powers") the things were clearer, and the results - obvious: UN, IMF, World Bank, Marshall plan were established, and the world's economy started to grow as in a fairy-tale. After these days summit, the 20 leaders "pledge to restore the growth" (what? that's all?) and to make a new "trade deal" within weeks (when? who? what? why? how?).
After the same meeting from '44, the people started to believe/trust those leaders and their plans. After this summit, I (what about you?) don't trust anything and anyone. Moreover, I am more and more concerned. The financial world, and the everyday life (in my opinion) are based on trust and reciprocity. These two disappeared and it's hard to recover them at any level. I write words, and manage ideas. I'm sorry, I don't have any solution. All I can do is to try to put my trust in those who should find a solution for this situation. I'm waiting.
P.S. As you probably observed, in G20 there are some European countries mentioned separately from EU: France, Germany, Italy and UK. Aren't these EU members anymore? Did they get out from EU and they didn't tell me a thing? With or without EU? They should decide what they want, because I consider this attitude to be a weird one in a context in which these countries support or, at least, they say they support a strong and unified Europe called European UNION.
2008/10/19
www.busolapolitica.ro
www.busolapolitica.ro e un proiect al unor oameni care inca mai spera ca se pot limpezi lucrurile din viata politica romaneasca si ca alegatorii romani vor vota programe politice si nu pe cei care latra mai bine sau mai frumos. Intri, raspunzi la intrebari si, la final, vezi ce partid reprezinta cel mai bine ideile tale legate de economie, politici sociale, politica externa, minoritati si altele.
Sa zicem ca, prin absurd, toti romanii cu drept de vot intra pe acest site si apoi la alegeri vor vota conform programelor politice pe care ei le sustin (am zis prin absurd! nu am zis ca e posibil!). Dar oare alesii invingatori vor conduce Romania conform programelor politice? Pe ei cum ii educam???
www.busolapolitica.ro is a project developed by some people who still believe that the Romanian political life might become clearer and that the Romanian voters will be able to vote political programs and not men who speak well or have beautiful smiles. Go on the website, take the quiz, and, in the end, you will find out which party represents better your ideas related to economics, social policies, foreign affairs, minorities, etc.
Let's say that all the Romanian voters will go on this website and then, at the election, they will be able to vote and will be aware of the political programs they support (it's just a theory, I don't say that's possible!). But will the winners put in practice their political programs? Will they be able to run this country in a rational way, according to their political strategies? If we are able to educate all the voters, how can we educate the politicians?
Sa zicem ca, prin absurd, toti romanii cu drept de vot intra pe acest site si apoi la alegeri vor vota conform programelor politice pe care ei le sustin (am zis prin absurd! nu am zis ca e posibil!). Dar oare alesii invingatori vor conduce Romania conform programelor politice? Pe ei cum ii educam???
www.busolapolitica.ro is a project developed by some people who still believe that the Romanian political life might become clearer and that the Romanian voters will be able to vote political programs and not men who speak well or have beautiful smiles. Go on the website, take the quiz, and, in the end, you will find out which party represents better your ideas related to economics, social policies, foreign affairs, minorities, etc.
Let's say that all the Romanian voters will go on this website and then, at the election, they will be able to vote and will be aware of the political programs they support (it's just a theory, I don't say that's possible!). But will the winners put in practice their political programs? Will they be able to run this country in a rational way, according to their political strategies? If we are able to educate all the voters, how can we educate the politicians?
2008/09/23
E-revolutie sau e-comunism?
For the English version of this post click here
Cum ar fi fost comunismul in Romania daca am fi avut acces la Internet? Daca am fi fost conectati la lumea din afara tarii cum suntem acum? Ar fi fost interzis Internetul? Ar fi putut interzice Statul sa avem adrese de email pe yahoo? Sa chat-uim? Sa ne dam pe google? Sa ne uitam la ce nici nu ne putem imagina pe youtube? Sau sa scriem bloguri? Ce ar fi fost permis? Sau ar fi fost Internetul folosit ca unealta de manipulare? Am fi mituit pe unii si pe altii sa avem Internet, asa cum faceam sa facem rost de un salam mai bun sau de un telefon fix?
Am citit azi in FP (Foreign Policy) Romania, noul meu hobby in autobuz, un articol despre cultura pop care a invadat lumea islamica creand o lume a contrastelor puternice. Imaginile si textul spun destule si totusi nu deajuns. Articolul descrie destul de bine ceea ce preiau tinerii din tarile islamice din "cultura pop" a Occidentului, dar vorbeste foarte putin despre cum e posibil acest lucru si si mai putin despre cum a scapat conexiunea la Internet de sub cenzura. Sub un regim tiranic, si politic si religios, Iranul are una din cele mai mari comunitati de blogger-i din lume!
Dar poate ca Internetul nu e altceva decat o forma de a tine sub control masa asta intreaga de tineri. Inchipuiti-va ce ar putea face acesti tineri daca nu ar avea cu ce sa isi ocupe timpul, daca nu ar putea downloada muzica si filmele vestice, daca nu ar putea injura tiranii pe yahoo messenger, daca fetele nu ar putea sa apara pe webcamuri fara valuri etc. Poate ar avea timp si de o revolutie? Daca nu ar avea unde sa isi verse frustrarile si unde sa se bucure de libertate, poate ca totusi ar porni o revolutie! Stiu ca nu e asa usor cand dincolo de politica stau crezuri si credinte si mai stiu ca de lipsa unei revolte adevarate si de rasturnarea unei puteri nu e vinovat doar Internetul.
Credeti ca ar fi cazut regimul comunist in Romania daca am fi avut la dispozitie Internetul? Am fi putut fi amagiti cu o libertate, in mare masura, virtuala?
*Am dat peste FP Romania, cumparand Dilema care vorbea despre subiectele tabu in timpul comunismului. Am fost placut surprinsa sa gasesc, in varianta doua la pret de una, FP-ul. Nu stiam ca se publica si in Romania. V-o recomand.
Cum ar fi fost comunismul in Romania daca am fi avut acces la Internet? Daca am fi fost conectati la lumea din afara tarii cum suntem acum? Ar fi fost interzis Internetul? Ar fi putut interzice Statul sa avem adrese de email pe yahoo? Sa chat-uim? Sa ne dam pe google? Sa ne uitam la ce nici nu ne putem imagina pe youtube? Sau sa scriem bloguri? Ce ar fi fost permis? Sau ar fi fost Internetul folosit ca unealta de manipulare? Am fi mituit pe unii si pe altii sa avem Internet, asa cum faceam sa facem rost de un salam mai bun sau de un telefon fix?
Am citit azi in FP (Foreign Policy) Romania, noul meu hobby in autobuz, un articol despre cultura pop care a invadat lumea islamica creand o lume a contrastelor puternice. Imaginile si textul spun destule si totusi nu deajuns. Articolul descrie destul de bine ceea ce preiau tinerii din tarile islamice din "cultura pop" a Occidentului, dar vorbeste foarte putin despre cum e posibil acest lucru si si mai putin despre cum a scapat conexiunea la Internet de sub cenzura. Sub un regim tiranic, si politic si religios, Iranul are una din cele mai mari comunitati de blogger-i din lume!
Dar poate ca Internetul nu e altceva decat o forma de a tine sub control masa asta intreaga de tineri. Inchipuiti-va ce ar putea face acesti tineri daca nu ar avea cu ce sa isi ocupe timpul, daca nu ar putea downloada muzica si filmele vestice, daca nu ar putea injura tiranii pe yahoo messenger, daca fetele nu ar putea sa apara pe webcamuri fara valuri etc. Poate ar avea timp si de o revolutie? Daca nu ar avea unde sa isi verse frustrarile si unde sa se bucure de libertate, poate ca totusi ar porni o revolutie! Stiu ca nu e asa usor cand dincolo de politica stau crezuri si credinte si mai stiu ca de lipsa unei revolte adevarate si de rasturnarea unei puteri nu e vinovat doar Internetul.
Credeti ca ar fi cazut regimul comunist in Romania daca am fi avut la dispozitie Internetul? Am fi putut fi amagiti cu o libertate, in mare masura, virtuala?
*Am dat peste FP Romania, cumparand Dilema care vorbea despre subiectele tabu in timpul comunismului. Am fost placut surprinsa sa gasesc, in varianta doua la pret de una, FP-ul. Nu stiam ca se publica si in Romania. V-o recomand.
E-revolution or e-communism?
How would the communism have been in Romania if we had had access to Internet? If we had been connected to the whole world like we are now? Would the Internet had been prohibited? Could the State have prohibited us to have yahoo email addresses? Or to chat? Or to search on google? Or to watch whatever we want on youtube? Or to write on blogs? What would have been allowed? Would the Internet have been used as a manipulation tool? Would we have bribed in order to get Internet access, like we did before for better salami or for a home phone?
I have read today in FP (Foreign Policy) Romania, my new hobby on the bus, an article about the pop culture which conquered the Islam world and built a world of contrasts. The pictures and the text say a lot, but not enough. The article speaks quite well about what the Islamic youths "borrow" and "learn" from the Western pop culture, but it doesn't speak enough about how all these are possible and about how the Internet succeeded to escape from the dictatorship's control. Even if it's a dictatorship, talking from a political and a religious point of view, Iran has one of the largest communities of bloggers in the world!
But maybe the Internet is just a tool used to keep this huge mass of young people under control. Imagine what these "kids" might do if they did not have something to do after work or school, if they could not download the Western music and movies, if they could not curse the dictators on YM, or if the girls could not show their faces on webcams? They might have some time for a revolution. If they did not have where to express their frustrations or where to get some freedom, they might start a revolution! I know that it is not so easy to start one, especially when the religion stays behind the politics, and I also know that the Internet cannot carry all the responsibility for the lack of a real revolt.
What do you think? Would we have had an anti-communist revolution if we had had access to Internet? Could we have been cheated with some virtual freedom?
I have read today in FP (Foreign Policy) Romania, my new hobby on the bus, an article about the pop culture which conquered the Islam world and built a world of contrasts. The pictures and the text say a lot, but not enough. The article speaks quite well about what the Islamic youths "borrow" and "learn" from the Western pop culture, but it doesn't speak enough about how all these are possible and about how the Internet succeeded to escape from the dictatorship's control. Even if it's a dictatorship, talking from a political and a religious point of view, Iran has one of the largest communities of bloggers in the world!
But maybe the Internet is just a tool used to keep this huge mass of young people under control. Imagine what these "kids" might do if they did not have something to do after work or school, if they could not download the Western music and movies, if they could not curse the dictators on YM, or if the girls could not show their faces on webcams? They might have some time for a revolution. If they did not have where to express their frustrations or where to get some freedom, they might start a revolution! I know that it is not so easy to start one, especially when the religion stays behind the politics, and I also know that the Internet cannot carry all the responsibility for the lack of a real revolt.
What do you think? Would we have had an anti-communist revolution if we had had access to Internet? Could we have been cheated with some virtual freedom?
2008/08/18
Modern Slavery - sometimes, I hate the world in which we live
I hate to do what I don't want. Imagine to be forced to do something against your will, such as prostitution, unpaid work... and other things that I cannot even think about.
You can read here a small part from Trafficking in Persons Report 2008, published by the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, U.S. Department of State. The numbers are big, and the stories from the report paint only a small part of the entire suffering of the trafficked persons. I was shocked to see that one of the stories is about Lila - a 19 years old girl from Romania.
"The Scope and Nature of Modern-Day Slavery
The common denominator of trafficking scenarios is the use of force, fraud, or coercion to exploit a person for profit. A victim can be subjected to labor exploitation, sexual exploitation, or both. Labor exploitation includes traditional chattel slavery, forced labor, and debt bondage. Sexual exploitation typically includes abuse within the commercial sex industry. In other cases, victims are exploited in private homes by individuals who often demand sex as well as work. The use of force or coercion can be direct and violent or psychological.
You can read here a small part from Trafficking in Persons Report 2008, published by the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, U.S. Department of State. The numbers are big, and the stories from the report paint only a small part of the entire suffering of the trafficked persons. I was shocked to see that one of the stories is about Lila - a 19 years old girl from Romania.
"The Scope and Nature of Modern-Day Slavery
The common denominator of trafficking scenarios is the use of force, fraud, or coercion to exploit a person for profit. A victim can be subjected to labor exploitation, sexual exploitation, or both. Labor exploitation includes traditional chattel slavery, forced labor, and debt bondage. Sexual exploitation typically includes abuse within the commercial sex industry. In other cases, victims are exploited in private homes by individuals who often demand sex as well as work. The use of force or coercion can be direct and violent or psychological.
A wide range of estimates exists on the scope and magnitude of modern-day slavery. The International Labor Organization (ILO)—the United Nations agency charged with addressing labor standards, employment, and social protection issues—estimates that there are 12.3 million people in forced labor, bonded labor, forced child labor, and sexual servitude at any given time; other estimates range from 4 million to 27 million.
Annually, according to U.S. Government-sponsored research completed in 2006, approximately 800,000 people are trafficked across national borders, which does not include millions trafficked within their own countries. Approximately 80 percent of transnational victims are women and girls and up to 50 percent are minors. The majority of transnational victims are females trafficked into commercial sexual exploitation. These numbers do not include millions of female and male victims around the world who are trafficked within their own national borders—the majority for forced or bonded labor.
Human traffickers prey on the vulnerable. Their targets are often children and young women, and their ploys are creative and ruthless, designed to trick, coerce, and win the confidence of potential victims. Very often these ruses involve promises of a better life through employment, educational opportunities, or marriage.
The nationalities of trafficked people are as diverse as the world’s cultures. Some leave developing countries, seeking to improve their lives through low-skilled jobs in more prosperous countries. Others fall victim to forced or bonded labor in their own countries. Women, eager for a better future, are susceptible to promises of jobs abroad as babysitters, housekeepers, waitresses, or models—jobs that traffickers turn into the nightmare of forced prostitution without exit. Some families give children to adults, often relatives, who promise education and opportunity—but sell the children into exploitative situations for money. But poverty alone does not explain this tragedy, which is driven by fraudulent recruiters, employers, and corrupt officials who seek to reap unlawful profits from others’ desperation".
http://www.state.gov/g/tip/rls/tiprpt/2008/
It's all about trust, money, poverty, dirty desires... and selfishness. It's painful. It hurts and makes me hate all those "no-heart beings" who sell these people and those who pay and use them. And what scares me even more is that just watching a porno movie or eating the cheapest fruits from Africa might transform you/us in "slave masters" too, because we encourage through our decisions/actions/money the slavery!
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