World Trade – «The Steel War»
Our first project was about world trade. Not many political issues have created so much discontents as the globalization of trade. Emotions fly high though the major part of the world population is benefiting from cheap prices of shoes, textiles, agricultural or other goods produced somewhere in a low wage country. So, the system seems to work when we are looking at the results of the global economy. But it’s not just happening, somebody has to pay for it. Who are these victims and how are they affected? What could be done to alleviate this burden and to make this transformation process as smooth as possible.
Based on the recent conflict about the worldwide trade of steel, in which countries like the US, Brazil and the European Union were involved, the story will explain the background of the functioning of the global trading system, its major players and how the complex legal network supporting this mechanism is working. The struggles, fights and sanctions behind the scenes are often more brutal than anybody would expect. Economical conflicts are carried out in a ruthless way, even at the expense of the poorer or supposedly unconcerned countries. It is often the lack of fair play shown by rich nations which makes the task of World Trade Organisation, the body responsible for the negotiations and implementation of liberal trade, so difficult. Until now the system has brought quite satisfying results but will this fragile system also be successful in the future?
Visit the «Steel War» website... |
The fight against poverty: «Beyond a dollar a day»
Over the last decades huge money has been invested in the fight against poverty. Yet this issue has to remain on the top of the world politics agenda. What went wrong that still over a billion of people have to live with less than a dollar a day? The key for a successful fight against poverty is the creation of sustainable jobs in the developing countries. The movie shows with examples in three continents what this would require and how this can be achieved. Mercy alone will never suffice to eradicate poverty.
Visit the «Beyond a dollar a day» website...
Hunger in a world of plenty
Hunger. The permanent catastrophe. Pictures of Africa have been around long enough to make us believe it is the default situation. A sad but true given. One part of the world suffers from famine while the other enjoys a lavish abundance of everything. This is the story everybody knows.
But there is a story hardly anybody knows ... The story behind the story.
For the entrepreneur and former Secretary of state David Syz it is mainly the story of three numbers: 1, 10 and 365. One billion people suffer from hunger. The annual budget to fight this hunger is worth ten billion dollars. The annual budget to support the supply of the people who do NOT suffer from hunger is worth 365 billion dollars. One is called "aid" the other is called "subsidy", both are a form of help. The question is does it help to make things better or does it actually make things worse. David Syz is looking for answers.
Visit the «Hunger» website...
|
