Is it a surprise? Nordic Europe is the guiding light in gender equality. This is a region of the world that places quality of life and standard of life far above economic interests -- or perhaps they appreciate the fact that economic interest is always taken care of when we take care of our own.
Rather than focus on lowering taxes (the financial base with which to offer national programs and establish equalization plans) these countries focus on developing and nurturing all segments of their population. The result? Well, the obvious result, right now, is their high ranking in the World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report. The longer-term, less-obvious results deal with a higher standard of living than North America, a stronger social network than most Western democracies and an economic system that is based on educating it's population not lowering taxes for businesses.
To put it bluntly: Nordic Europe tops the list for gender equality out of 115 countries in the world. That's no small feat. The countries boast the
world's best maternity leave, the best political participation rates and an education system in which women now outnumber men.
The World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report 2006 named Sweden as the world's most progressive country when it comes to quality of the sexes, followed by Norway, Finland and Iceland.
Ranking the countries according to economic participation and opportunity, education, political empowerment and health and survival, Canada came in 13th and the United States ranked 29th. The small Middle East nation of Yemen came last in the global list.
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Monday, November 20, 2006
Going green with Green Day
Punk rock is more than a fashion statement. While 'hawks, studs and pins became the visual symbol of the anti-status-quo, the rants and raves were the ideological rational for the less-than-angry music style. Enter pop-punk. This was the feel good, boppy punk that dominated the 90s. It started with Green Day and exploded with replica bands (namely: Blink 192, Sum 41, etc. etc). While these bands paid homage to punk roots, they borrowed the light and fluffy attitudes of pop to make the music more accessible to everyday kids (not just the angst-ridden trench-coat crowd).
But this is life -- and art, like life, comes full circle. Even as Green Day toured Canada on the 1998 Edgefest tour (and, yes, I was there...for each and every show) the kids from California were beginning to understand the power and prevalence of punk -- anti-authority, anti-corporate, socially relavent punk.
Now, in the 21st century the band that launched a musical style is turning back to its punk-rock roots. It started with the release of their last album, and was recently supported by their decision to promote clean and green.
In a press statement, release yesterday, Green Day announced their partnership with Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) to urge young music fans to demand clean, renewable energy solutions. The rockers hope their latest cause will help break America's "dangerous dependence on oil".
Frontman Billie Joe Armstrong stated: "This campaign is about channelling the power of millions into something positive and powerful. People are sick of our oil addiction and feel like nobody is doing anything about it. The solutions are there, the support is there, but the leadership is not."
OK -- so the whole idea of formal partnership and corporate messaging goes against the pure-punk attitude of grassroots and underground; and so the call for positive solutions is a little different than the angry demand for destruction and dismantling of society and its values -- but the sentiment (to change the status quo) is as punk as you can get. Green is the new anti-corporate and punk is the ideal medium to get kids on board.
For more information on the Green Day initiative go to:
www.GreenDayNRDC.com
But this is life -- and art, like life, comes full circle. Even as Green Day toured Canada on the 1998 Edgefest tour (and, yes, I was there...for each and every show) the kids from California were beginning to understand the power and prevalence of punk -- anti-authority, anti-corporate, socially relavent punk.
Now, in the 21st century the band that launched a musical style is turning back to its punk-rock roots. It started with the release of their last album, and was recently supported by their decision to promote clean and green.
In a press statement, release yesterday, Green Day announced their partnership with Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) to urge young music fans to demand clean, renewable energy solutions. The rockers hope their latest cause will help break America's "dangerous dependence on oil".
Frontman Billie Joe Armstrong stated: "This campaign is about channelling the power of millions into something positive and powerful. People are sick of our oil addiction and feel like nobody is doing anything about it. The solutions are there, the support is there, but the leadership is not."
OK -- so the whole idea of formal partnership and corporate messaging goes against the pure-punk attitude of grassroots and underground; and so the call for positive solutions is a little different than the angry demand for destruction and dismantling of society and its values -- but the sentiment (to change the status quo) is as punk as you can get. Green is the new anti-corporate and punk is the ideal medium to get kids on board.
For more information on the Green Day initiative go to:
www.GreenDayNRDC.com
Friday, November 17, 2006
Volunteer your time -- and your car -- for Universal Housing
Got a car? Want to help the housing movement?
The National Housing Day group is holding a car rally on Nov. 22 and asking for volunteers to show up and raise a the roof -- so to speak.
The car rally will be held on Wednesday Nov. 22 at Sunnyside Park (on Lakeshore Blvd.). It starts at 10:30am (when cars will be decorated) and the procession of cars will start at 11am.
At present there are 25 vehicles confirmed, with pledges/promises from another 25. However, the National Housing group wants to build a caravan of at least 50 cars to parade around downtown Toronto, in an effort to raise awareness on housing issues.
To endorse the event send an email to: nhd_endorsement@hotmail.com
To register call TDRC at: 416-599-8372 or email us at tdrc@tdrc.net.
Sponsors of this event include CAW, TDRC and the TO Appeal For Federal Funding for Homelessness (SCPI $). Other endorsers are welcome.
All the information you need for this event is on the TDRC website,
www.tdrc.net/carrally.htm
The National Housing Day group is holding a car rally on Nov. 22 and asking for volunteers to show up and raise a the roof -- so to speak.
The car rally will be held on Wednesday Nov. 22 at Sunnyside Park (on Lakeshore Blvd.). It starts at 10:30am (when cars will be decorated) and the procession of cars will start at 11am.
At present there are 25 vehicles confirmed, with pledges/promises from another 25. However, the National Housing group wants to build a caravan of at least 50 cars to parade around downtown Toronto, in an effort to raise awareness on housing issues.
To endorse the event send an email to: nhd_endorsement@hotmail.com
To register call TDRC at: 416-599-8372 or email us at tdrc@tdrc.net.
Sponsors of this event include CAW, TDRC and the TO Appeal For Federal Funding for Homelessness (SCPI $). Other endorsers are welcome.
All the information you need for this event is on the TDRC website,
www.tdrc.net/carrally.htm
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
A man, a memorial, a lesson in life
A few days late, but a worthwhile story to share.
This past weekend I had an opportunity to attend a life-affirming event -- an event that reminded me of the importance of passion; the fortitude of confidence; and the power of love.
It was a memorial.
At first glance, the memorial was to a man that had spent his entire life defending and supporting Canadian arts. This, in itself, deserves accolades. Canada is not often considered a passionate, drum-beating nation. We rarely cheer on our talent and seldom support our creative forces. Yet, despite this collective apathy a few champions do emerge -- Sid Adilman was definitely one of these champions. Even as the hippie-sixties were raging, Sid was busy pounding away the prose on Canadian artistic endeavours. As an entertainment reporter and columnist for numerous publications (but particularly the Toronto Star) he had the opportunity and the foresight to search out our Great White Northern identity in all artistic ventures. As such, he helped launch and define Canadian comedy, dance, music and broadcast. A feat that did not, and could not, go unnoticed.
But, despite the public acknowledgement of Sid's passion and persistence, another aspect of this quirky, delightful man emerged.
Sid was a romantic. Not just in love -- although a cross-cultural, transborder love affair with a Japanese woman he proposed to only a week after meeting, certainly proves his charm -- but also in life. He experienced joy and delight in the events and areas most Canadians take for granted. He delighted in food, in Canadian east-coast hospitality and never lost his way as a devoted, loving and supportive husband and father. This was the man we came to know during the two-hour memorial. This was the man sons Mio and Nobu had lost and wife Toshiko would mourn. This is the man whose life was dedicated to art, culture and the nurture of the creative.
Toskiko, Nobu, Mio -- my heart goes out to you for your loss. Thank you for sharing your husband and father with us. While we knew him as a prolific writer and the great defender of Canadian culture, you knew him as the man who loved to live. For this, alone, the man is worth remembering.
For more information please see:
http://www.nobu.ca/
http://thestar.blogs.com/azerb/2006/10/sid_adilman.html
http://blog.canadianjournalist.ca/blog/_archives/2006/10/15/2418635.html
http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/blogs/story.html?id=a7051994-b01f-43f1-b69f-df47c421c77c&k=36558
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117952017.html?categoryid=25&cs=1
This past weekend I had an opportunity to attend a life-affirming event -- an event that reminded me of the importance of passion; the fortitude of confidence; and the power of love.
It was a memorial.
At first glance, the memorial was to a man that had spent his entire life defending and supporting Canadian arts. This, in itself, deserves accolades. Canada is not often considered a passionate, drum-beating nation. We rarely cheer on our talent and seldom support our creative forces. Yet, despite this collective apathy a few champions do emerge -- Sid Adilman was definitely one of these champions. Even as the hippie-sixties were raging, Sid was busy pounding away the prose on Canadian artistic endeavours. As an entertainment reporter and columnist for numerous publications (but particularly the Toronto Star) he had the opportunity and the foresight to search out our Great White Northern identity in all artistic ventures. As such, he helped launch and define Canadian comedy, dance, music and broadcast. A feat that did not, and could not, go unnoticed.
But, despite the public acknowledgement of Sid's passion and persistence, another aspect of this quirky, delightful man emerged.
Sid was a romantic. Not just in love -- although a cross-cultural, transborder love affair with a Japanese woman he proposed to only a week after meeting, certainly proves his charm -- but also in life. He experienced joy and delight in the events and areas most Canadians take for granted. He delighted in food, in Canadian east-coast hospitality and never lost his way as a devoted, loving and supportive husband and father. This was the man we came to know during the two-hour memorial. This was the man sons Mio and Nobu had lost and wife Toshiko would mourn. This is the man whose life was dedicated to art, culture and the nurture of the creative.
Toskiko, Nobu, Mio -- my heart goes out to you for your loss. Thank you for sharing your husband and father with us. While we knew him as a prolific writer and the great defender of Canadian culture, you knew him as the man who loved to live. For this, alone, the man is worth remembering.
For more information please see:
http://www.nobu.ca/
http://thestar.blogs.com/azerb/2006/10/sid_adilman.html
http://blog.canadianjournalist.ca/blog/_archives/2006/10/15/2418635.html
http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/blogs/story.html?id=a7051994-b01f-43f1-b69f-df47c421c77c&k=36558
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117952017.html?categoryid=25&cs=1
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Shit is acceptable on national TV news
Apparently, in the United States, s%&t is news.
In an FCC ruling yesterday, the S-word was deemed acceptable as long as the the TV program even faintly resembled a news show.
The Federal Communications Commission reversed it's previous decision after reviewing and judging that a Survivor:Vanuatu contestant's use of the obscenity during an interview on a December 2004 episode of The Early Show on CBS was, in fact, acceptable. The contestant used a vulgar term for "smooth talker" to describe a fellow contestant.
Apparently the morning fluff-news show is news-worthy enough to allow a liberal tongue. Thank God...can you imagine trying to describe the city's best french toast without the use of powerful verbal descriptives!
Still, the reality is our vocabularly is inching closer and closer to devolution. For example, did you know that the simple term abandon was once represented by three descriptors: anforlætan; forlætan; ofgiefan -- all from Old English and none of them in continued use?
While the FCC ruling can be deemed an effort to reflect a more liberal attitude, it borders on linguicide. The approval on the use of vulgarities is more than a reflection of our liberal society; it is a reflection of our linguistic laziness. As a lazy culture we rely, too often, on four-letter vulgarities to describe a plethora of situations -- and this reliance on boorish words means that other, more refined descriptors are forgotten and dismissed.
As the Vocabula Review states: A society is generally as lax as its language.
While the FCC prides itself on being the moral last word for broadcast acceptability in the United States (and that, in itself, says a lot), I choose to ignore Big Brother's acceptance and condemnation of my verbally descriptive world. Instead, I will try and reform this particularly unpleasant potty-mouth of mine -- and that should take more than a few regulations and rules from a bureaucratic watch dog.
For an amusing take on vocabularly loss (and reclamation) go to:
http://vocabreclaim.blogspot.com/
For the full USA Today article on the FCC ruling go to:
http://www.usatoday.com/money/media/2006-11-07-indecency-usat_x.htm
In an FCC ruling yesterday, the S-word was deemed acceptable as long as the the TV program even faintly resembled a news show.
The Federal Communications Commission reversed it's previous decision after reviewing and judging that a Survivor:Vanuatu contestant's use of the obscenity during an interview on a December 2004 episode of The Early Show on CBS was, in fact, acceptable. The contestant used a vulgar term for "smooth talker" to describe a fellow contestant.
Apparently the morning fluff-news show is news-worthy enough to allow a liberal tongue. Thank God...can you imagine trying to describe the city's best french toast without the use of powerful verbal descriptives!
Still, the reality is our vocabularly is inching closer and closer to devolution. For example, did you know that the simple term abandon was once represented by three descriptors: anforlætan; forlætan; ofgiefan -- all from Old English and none of them in continued use?
While the FCC ruling can be deemed an effort to reflect a more liberal attitude, it borders on linguicide. The approval on the use of vulgarities is more than a reflection of our liberal society; it is a reflection of our linguistic laziness. As a lazy culture we rely, too often, on four-letter vulgarities to describe a plethora of situations -- and this reliance on boorish words means that other, more refined descriptors are forgotten and dismissed.
As the Vocabula Review states: A society is generally as lax as its language.
While the FCC prides itself on being the moral last word for broadcast acceptability in the United States (and that, in itself, says a lot), I choose to ignore Big Brother's acceptance and condemnation of my verbally descriptive world. Instead, I will try and reform this particularly unpleasant potty-mouth of mine -- and that should take more than a few regulations and rules from a bureaucratic watch dog.
For an amusing take on vocabularly loss (and reclamation) go to:
http://vocabreclaim.blogspot.com/
For the full USA Today article on the FCC ruling go to:
http://www.usatoday.com/money/media/2006-11-07-indecency-usat_x.htm
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
US elections and the advent of Death City
I was going to blog about the massive amounts of electoral porn we experienced last night.
Yes, south of the border was awash in elections, results, speeches and promises -- enough to titillate even the most jaded political junkies.
But the day is getting on and my desire to re-hash the thrills and chills of a democrate win are beginning to fade.
Instead, I wanted to offer a link to a new site based on a new horror. Most of us are too young to remember the impact of Orson Wells' War of the Worlds. At that time radio WAS the medium. Wells' -- a consummate writer -- engaged the public with a sci-fi horror that caused panic and disturbances all over North America. How thrilling!
Today, the Internet is the medium. Considered the source for news, views and research, the Internet offers us a glimpse into the real, the imagined and the in-between. Enter: the Death City.
A new, serialized writing project, Death City offers us a glimpse into the horrors and realities that could occur if a plague were to befall us.
Take a look: www.death-city.blogspot.com
Yes, south of the border was awash in elections, results, speeches and promises -- enough to titillate even the most jaded political junkies.
But the day is getting on and my desire to re-hash the thrills and chills of a democrate win are beginning to fade.
Instead, I wanted to offer a link to a new site based on a new horror. Most of us are too young to remember the impact of Orson Wells' War of the Worlds. At that time radio WAS the medium. Wells' -- a consummate writer -- engaged the public with a sci-fi horror that caused panic and disturbances all over North America. How thrilling!
Today, the Internet is the medium. Considered the source for news, views and research, the Internet offers us a glimpse into the real, the imagined and the in-between. Enter: the Death City.
A new, serialized writing project, Death City offers us a glimpse into the horrors and realities that could occur if a plague were to befall us.
Take a look: www.death-city.blogspot.com
Monday, November 06, 2006
Holy city? or Homo city? Israel stands up and out despite protests
"This is not a homo-city; this is a holy city."
So decried an orthodox cleric over the decision made by Jerusalem's attorney general to allow a gay pride parade through the streets of the revered city.
Has the irony sunk in yet?
There is no doubt that the city is steeped in historical meaning. Jews viewed the city as a holy place more than 3,000 years ago; Muslims trace their lineage back to former Jerusalem residents and consider one temple in the city as the third holiest site in the world; while, Christians continue to see this place as a the city where Jesus was crucified. Yet the common bond among all religions and people is that Jerusalem (along with Israel, as a whole) was populated and has evolved under a cloud of hate and prejudice.
The very fact that Israel exists is because the world turned its back on a group of people because of their life practices. Now, the same is happening inside the walls of one of the world's holiest cities.
Rather than honour the notion of "love thy neighbour" fights and protests have erupted all over the city to protest the planned gay pride parade.
The Jewish Telegraphic Agency reported over the weekend that: Dozens of fervently Orthodox Jews in Mea She’arim rioted at the news that the parade was to proceed, blocking off the city’s Shabbat Square with burning trash cans...The [attorney general's] approval [of the parade] caused a violent riot from hundreds of ultra-Orthodox Jews which left policemen wounded and saw the arrest of 30 people.
Just over 70 years ago the country was founded to protect ethnicity and religious convictions. Now, the very residents that have benefited from this foundation of love and tolerance are condemning people -- because they disagree with their love and companionship lifestyle.
Thank god for the rule of law.
Despite the close-minded actions of a the minority orthodox and fundamentalist religious groups in Israel, the country's attorney general, Menachem Mazuz, approved the twice-delayed parade in support of "freedom of expression". While religious leaders in the country may not condone the expression of the LGBTQ community it is clear that the country is still (thankfully) ruled by law (based on the very human rights Jews demanded almost a century ago).
While ultra-conservative views will never be changed, it is possible to equip a society and a culture with the facets of tolerance (and, hopefully, acceptance). This can only be done when equality and the freedom to express one's lifestyle choices is protected by for all under the law. While the Israeli government may be getting flak for its decision to proceed with the country's gay pride parade, I applaud their efforts to truly create an inclusive and tolerant society.
After all, that's why Israel, the nation, was first formed.
So decried an orthodox cleric over the decision made by Jerusalem's attorney general to allow a gay pride parade through the streets of the revered city.
Has the irony sunk in yet?
There is no doubt that the city is steeped in historical meaning. Jews viewed the city as a holy place more than 3,000 years ago; Muslims trace their lineage back to former Jerusalem residents and consider one temple in the city as the third holiest site in the world; while, Christians continue to see this place as a the city where Jesus was crucified. Yet the common bond among all religions and people is that Jerusalem (along with Israel, as a whole) was populated and has evolved under a cloud of hate and prejudice.
The very fact that Israel exists is because the world turned its back on a group of people because of their life practices. Now, the same is happening inside the walls of one of the world's holiest cities.
Rather than honour the notion of "love thy neighbour" fights and protests have erupted all over the city to protest the planned gay pride parade.
The Jewish Telegraphic Agency reported over the weekend that: Dozens of fervently Orthodox Jews in Mea She’arim rioted at the news that the parade was to proceed, blocking off the city’s Shabbat Square with burning trash cans...The [attorney general's] approval [of the parade] caused a violent riot from hundreds of ultra-Orthodox Jews which left policemen wounded and saw the arrest of 30 people.
Just over 70 years ago the country was founded to protect ethnicity and religious convictions. Now, the very residents that have benefited from this foundation of love and tolerance are condemning people -- because they disagree with their love and companionship lifestyle.
Thank god for the rule of law.
Despite the close-minded actions of a the minority orthodox and fundamentalist religious groups in Israel, the country's attorney general, Menachem Mazuz, approved the twice-delayed parade in support of "freedom of expression". While religious leaders in the country may not condone the expression of the LGBTQ community it is clear that the country is still (thankfully) ruled by law (based on the very human rights Jews demanded almost a century ago).
While ultra-conservative views will never be changed, it is possible to equip a society and a culture with the facets of tolerance (and, hopefully, acceptance). This can only be done when equality and the freedom to express one's lifestyle choices is protected by for all under the law. While the Israeli government may be getting flak for its decision to proceed with the country's gay pride parade, I applaud their efforts to truly create an inclusive and tolerant society.
After all, that's why Israel, the nation, was first formed.
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Oxfam and Starbucks: Head to Head with a mug of jo'
It's multi-national non-profit VS. multi-national corporation -- each vying to control the coffee; each vying for a piece of Ethiopia's growing coffee trade.
Last week Oxfam and Starbucks went head to head (via press releases) regarding Ethiopia's bid to trademark coffee names. Oxfam accused Starbucks of urging the National Coffee Association (a trade association for the US coffee industry) to oppose the Ethiopian Intellectual Property Office (EIPO) applications to the US Patent and Trademark Office to trademark the "Sidamo," "Harar" and "Yirgacheffe" names. Starbucks countered with statistical evidence of its support for Ethiopian coffee farmers; the conglomerate noted that it favors a certification program as a better means to "protect geographically descriptive terms and ensure they represent quality products." Oxfam's response: Starbucks, stop being "disingenuous" and acknowledge your role in opposing the trademark application.
Now this is highstakes Corporate Responsibility in action. Starbucks built its brand and its image on socially responsible business practices. It was one of the first (and still one of the few) corporations to offer part-time employees health benefits; Starbucks markets its coffee based on better business practices (practices they determine and they enforce) and it pumps hundreds of thousands back into the community continent wide. Corporate responsibility is an important aspect of the Starbucks brand-image.
Enter Oxfam.
Oxfam is a confederation of 13 organizations that work together in more than 100 countries. Their mandate is to "increase worldwide public understanding that economic and social justice are crucial to sustainable development." That purpose is motivated by the fact that Oxfam wants to make equity the same priority as economic growth. From this rubrik, Oxfam has taken up the Ethiopian fight for rights and ownership. According to the non-profit, if Ethiopia secures the rights to the coffee names than the economically repressed country would capture more value from the trade -- this is because Ethiopia would have more control over the use of their names in the market, which enables farmers to receive a greater share of the retail price. Oxfam suggests that this shift (giving Ethiopia the trade name rights) would provide the Ethiopian coffee industry and its farmers an estimated $88 million (USD) extra per year.
The very public fight between Oxfam and Starbucks is reminiscent of earlier exchanges the two multi-nationals had over Fair Trade. A few years ago Oxfam and activists criticized Starbucks for insufficient support of Fair Trade. At that time, Starbucks pointed out that it was the largest purveyor of Fair Trade in the USA. At that time, Starbucks also stated that the primary factor holding it back from only using Fair Trade coffee was lack of supply. The coffee conglomerate also pointed to its numerous policies and actions in social and environmental standards to plantations that are not covered by Fair Trade standards.
The rhetoric, facts and opinions are rampant on both sides -- as this is confrontational activism. Rather than collaboration, Oxfam (and partners) have chosen to attack Starbucks. While questions still exist (such as, how will the patent ownership actually help Ethiopian farmers) they are being ignored in favour of positioning.
Corporate responsibility is important -- not only for the purposes of branding and image, but in terms of developing and fostering worldwide equity. However, corporate responsibility is still immersed in the school of confrontation -- a school that we know all too well (just look at any election, anywhere). This style of activism often ignores poignant and important questions in favour of quick and snappy sound bites. As such, facts get lost and lines are drawn and little is done to find a solution.
Regardless of your opinion on Starbucks, this mega-coffee-brand is the Wal-Mart of coffee companies in North America. As such, their buying power is an economic force in the coffee industry -- a worldwide industry that accounts for six-million tonnes of picked beans every year. If we are to create an equitable solution (that benefits farmers, companies and consumers) we will need to include Starbucks and other coffee companies in the debate. Oxfam's tactic of shaming is an old tactic and a good tactic, but in the end, it's good old fashioned discussion and compromise that will result in a responsible and equitable solution.
Until then, make mine a dark, Grande. Fair Trade, of course.
For more information on Oxfam's position on Ethiopian trademarked coffee go to:
http://www.oxfam.org/en/news/pressreleases2006/pr061026_starbucks
For more information on Starbuck's position go to:
http://www.starbucks.com/aboutus/pressdesc.asp?id=714
Last week Oxfam and Starbucks went head to head (via press releases) regarding Ethiopia's bid to trademark coffee names. Oxfam accused Starbucks of urging the National Coffee Association (a trade association for the US coffee industry) to oppose the Ethiopian Intellectual Property Office (EIPO) applications to the US Patent and Trademark Office to trademark the "Sidamo," "Harar" and "Yirgacheffe" names. Starbucks countered with statistical evidence of its support for Ethiopian coffee farmers; the conglomerate noted that it favors a certification program as a better means to "protect geographically descriptive terms and ensure they represent quality products." Oxfam's response: Starbucks, stop being "disingenuous" and acknowledge your role in opposing the trademark application.
Now this is highstakes Corporate Responsibility in action. Starbucks built its brand and its image on socially responsible business practices. It was one of the first (and still one of the few) corporations to offer part-time employees health benefits; Starbucks markets its coffee based on better business practices (practices they determine and they enforce) and it pumps hundreds of thousands back into the community continent wide. Corporate responsibility is an important aspect of the Starbucks brand-image.
Enter Oxfam.
Oxfam is a confederation of 13 organizations that work together in more than 100 countries. Their mandate is to "increase worldwide public understanding that economic and social justice are crucial to sustainable development." That purpose is motivated by the fact that Oxfam wants to make equity the same priority as economic growth. From this rubrik, Oxfam has taken up the Ethiopian fight for rights and ownership. According to the non-profit, if Ethiopia secures the rights to the coffee names than the economically repressed country would capture more value from the trade -- this is because Ethiopia would have more control over the use of their names in the market, which enables farmers to receive a greater share of the retail price. Oxfam suggests that this shift (giving Ethiopia the trade name rights) would provide the Ethiopian coffee industry and its farmers an estimated $88 million (USD) extra per year.
The very public fight between Oxfam and Starbucks is reminiscent of earlier exchanges the two multi-nationals had over Fair Trade. A few years ago Oxfam and activists criticized Starbucks for insufficient support of Fair Trade. At that time, Starbucks pointed out that it was the largest purveyor of Fair Trade in the USA. At that time, Starbucks also stated that the primary factor holding it back from only using Fair Trade coffee was lack of supply. The coffee conglomerate also pointed to its numerous policies and actions in social and environmental standards to plantations that are not covered by Fair Trade standards.
The rhetoric, facts and opinions are rampant on both sides -- as this is confrontational activism. Rather than collaboration, Oxfam (and partners) have chosen to attack Starbucks. While questions still exist (such as, how will the patent ownership actually help Ethiopian farmers) they are being ignored in favour of positioning.
Corporate responsibility is important -- not only for the purposes of branding and image, but in terms of developing and fostering worldwide equity. However, corporate responsibility is still immersed in the school of confrontation -- a school that we know all too well (just look at any election, anywhere). This style of activism often ignores poignant and important questions in favour of quick and snappy sound bites. As such, facts get lost and lines are drawn and little is done to find a solution.
Regardless of your opinion on Starbucks, this mega-coffee-brand is the Wal-Mart of coffee companies in North America. As such, their buying power is an economic force in the coffee industry -- a worldwide industry that accounts for six-million tonnes of picked beans every year. If we are to create an equitable solution (that benefits farmers, companies and consumers) we will need to include Starbucks and other coffee companies in the debate. Oxfam's tactic of shaming is an old tactic and a good tactic, but in the end, it's good old fashioned discussion and compromise that will result in a responsible and equitable solution.
Until then, make mine a dark, Grande. Fair Trade, of course.
For more information on Oxfam's position on Ethiopian trademarked coffee go to:
http://www.oxfam.org/en/news/pressreleases2006/pr061026_starbucks
For more information on Starbuck's position go to:
http://www.starbucks.com/aboutus/pressdesc.asp?id=714
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