A Youth Response to Globalisation
By Andrew Colgan, Auckland
Globalisation is upon us, but this need not be a bad thing. By making ourselves and others aware of the issues facing young people in the world today, networking and collectively resolving to make a difference, we the New Zealand youth can create a new world.
Some positive opportunities created by Globalisation
Firstly, globalisation is not always, and does not necessarily have to be, a bad thing:
- We are now able to experience the richness of the world’s diverse cultures, such as those shared at the Global Youth Convention (GYC) in Johannesburg, South Africa in 2004.
- We can communicate instantaneously with friends and family around the world.
- We can share ideas and resources with other churches and organisations all across the globe.
- We can become part of global movements (such as the Jubilee 2000 Debt Campaign).
Negative impacts of globalisation
Most of the news is not good however. The impact of largely unaccountable transnational corporations has been and continues to be devastating across our planet. When the interests of shareholders are the primary concern for such firms, other considerations become expendable and the less fortunate throughout the world are forced to bear the costs.
Globalisation and the environment
Globalisation seems to be paying little regard to environmental issues:
- Several speakers at the GYC from the Pacific Islands expressed concern at global warming and rising water levels. These issues are little more than a theory discussed by scientists to most of us, but are a real threat to the economy and livelihood of many island nations.
- We also heard stories of vast areas of rainforest being cleared in South America and Southeast Asia to grow cash crops for export so that loans can be repaid.
- Many of the rivers, lakes and wildlife habitats in Nigeria have been destroyed by oil companies whose promises of wealth and prosperity in exchange for extraction licenses have yet to be realised.
Globalisation and HIV/AIDS
The HIV / AIDS pandemic was another issue examined at the GYC which has several indirect links to globalisation. The disease is ravaging sub-Saharan Africa and rapidly spreading across the world. Several myths about the disease (such as it being a “gay disease”) have meant the Church and many governments have tried to avoid the issue. This is despite the urgency and immediacy with which it threatens humanity. It is estimated that over 40 million people have HIV (the virus which causes AIDS) worldwide. Over three million people die each year, one effect of which has been to leave behind 14 million orphans (WHO). AIDS has become such a problem that, although not infected, just about every person in the world is affected by it in some way. An example of this is the killing off of the working age population in developing nations which is affecting global trade. Countries such as New Zealand, which see AIDS as a “Third World problem” are likely to suffer for their ignorance in the future if the pandemic spreads. This will be the reality if nothing more is done. New Zealand provides little information to young people about the dangers (and myths) surrounding HIV/AIDS.
Youth responses to global issues
All the participants at GYC were unanimous in expressing the sentiment that it is our responsibility as young people of the world to respond to these issues. The world’s youth are not the future, we are the present. A strong feeling that came out of the conference was that if change is to be brought about by us, change must begin with us.
Taking Action:
So how do we, as youth, respond to these global issues?
- Educate ourselves
To make a change, we must understand what we are attempting to change. Although we are a well-educated country with a comparatively unbiased news media, we are unaware about a lot of what goes on outside our sphere. It’s quite likely that homeless children on the streets of Malawi can tell you more about the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) than a New Zealander with a university degree. New Zealanders are not very good at researching the different sides to a story, we are much better at accepting what we are told by the media. - Raise awareness
Among our young people about these issues and others which we feel are important. Once we ourselves are aware of such issues, it is important to spread the word. Mainstream media does a poor job here. - Empower
Most young New Zealanders are concerned about world issues, but feel powerless to make a difference. Apathy is self-perpetuating, within a community or group of young people, but so is passion and a desire to change the world. Awareness is the first step to this empowerment. - Care, Embrace, and Celebrate Diversity
Care for those left behind by the individualism of the global youth community and culture. We all know how difficult it is to fit in when we have to look perfect, talk the right way, watch all the right TV and wear the right clothes. Globalised consumerism threatens to destroy the desire of our young people to participate in a community. One of the best things we can provide for our young people is a sense of community and belonging in our youth groups. - Advocate
Write letters, join protest marches, sign petitions, join movements - be active in making a change.
Let us not reject globalisation for fear of intensifying its problems, let us HUMANISE GLOBALISATION THROUGH CRITICAL PARTICIPATION.
And more about the issues:
International Debt
Jubilee Debt Campaign (UK)
Jubilee Debt Campaign (Australia)
Pacific islands sea levels
Article in New Internationalist
Africa and oil
Friends of the Earth Nigeria
News and issues about Africa’s oil
HIV/AIDS
United Nations programme on HIV/AIDS
UN report (Sept 2003) on Young People and AIDS
UN report (June 2005) on Young People and AIDS
Ministry of Health - guide to HIV/AIDS in New Zealand
Alternative press links
The Scoop Website is a good source of “alternative” news –
The New Internationalist website is also good –
Photograhy:
Rubbish in Fiji by Eva Lawrence
HIV positive mother and baby, by Liba Taylor used with permission of Save the Children New Zealand
