A fairer world - The Tasmanian Center for Global Learning
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Did you know?
  • For every $2 in aid received by Ethiopia in 2003, $1 was lost through lower coffee prices. *
  • Wal-Mart, the world’s largest company, accounts for more than one third of US food industry sales. *
  • A 1% increase in Africa's share of world exports would generate five times the income that Africa receives as aid. *


THE GLOBAL ECONOMY


The global economy has grown dramatically in the past two decades, but the benefits of this growth have not been fairly distributed. The average per capita incomes of rich countries has increased by over $6000 since 1990; yet the economies of more than 80 countries – including most of sub-Saharan Africa – stagnated or went backwards during the 1990s.

Globalisation has changed the face of the world economy, leading to freer flows of goods and capital around the world. But again the benefits have been unequal, because many poorer countries have been forced to open their markets while their own products are denied fair access to Western markets.

There are signs that a fairer world may be emerging. In 2005, millions of people united in calling for an end to unfair trade rules and for debt cancellation for the world’s poorest countries. Consumer awareness is putting pressure on corporations to pay more than lip service to social and environmental concerns. But more needs to be done, and the combined pressures of climate change, environmental decline and dwindling oil supplies will create enormous challenges for economies around the world.

This section contains information and links on Consumerism, Trade, Globalisation, Aid and debt, Corporations, Microfinance and Tourism.


Find out more about global economics

  • For a thoughtful look at trade, consumerism, corporations, globalisation and other world economics-related issues begin with the Global Issues site.
  • Global Exchange is an international human rights organization which takes a look at broad global economic issues, such as, corporate globallisation, international trade agreements, the World Bank and fair trade. Visit their Economic Alternatives page for background and links.
  • The New Economics Foundation is an independent think tank that believes in "economics as if people and the planet mattered."


Participate in creating changes to how the world economy works

  • Oxfam’s Make Trade Fair campaign critiques the existing system and works towards a fairer approach to world trade, one which respects the world’s poor.
  • If you are concerned about  justice in global trade and the plight of the world's poor, then join the multitude of people who are trying to Make Poverty History.

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