Comments - Development Drums Podcast episode "Sophiatown"

Another podcast review. I like listening to podcasts while I work on other things.

I heard something quite interesting on this podcast, Development Drums episode "Sophiatown", that features Alex Cobham from Christian Aid and Stephen Devereux of the Institute for Development Studies. It was mentioned by Alex Cobham that tax is an important ingredient for development and government revenue. Alex offers the view that as much as $160 billion a year is lost by developing countries because they are not able to enforce tax laws due to difficulties in finding tax evasion culprits who hide their funds overseas. To put that figure into perspective, President elect Obama's entire foreign policy earmarks $107 billion for next year, 2009. Do you see why I don't think we need more aid?

They also discuss the dangers of using genetically modified foods in Africa and other possible solutions to the food crisis. I believe that a profit driven model (because we CAN and SHOULD be making wealth not begging for it) that targets high tariffs and other market distorting practices by developed countries will go a long way to improving the future of agriculture, and the economies, in Africa and the world in general. Don't take my word for it, read what the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has to say about that.

Share your ideas and have a listen to the podcast.

RE: Congo's Tin Soldiers

Journeyman Pictures presents a short 20 minute video titled "Congo's Tin Soldiers" about the scramble for mineral resources that has plunged the Democratic Republic of Congo into a vicious cycle of bloodshed and oppression. http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Io8c81xHLmw
The view that economic interests are fueling the conflict are supported by a United Nations Panel setup in June 2000.

It is difficult to separate the fact that these problems are the symptom of poor leadership and gross government mismanagement. The World Bank, the IMF and the Paris Club have intervened on various levels to provide debt relief, funding for infrastructure and other things but sadly you can take a horse to the river but you can't force it to drink.

Where do we begin to untangle this deadly web of corruption and overzealous self-interests?