Development Blogs.com

from the Melbourne Herald Sun This follows the story of a consumer group in Australia accusing OXFAM's fair trade label as misleading. OXFAM is now defending it's fair trade certification. - KaleFree market think tank, the Institute of Public Affairs (IPA), has complained to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) that Oxfam has been misleading consumers about the brands helping farmers in developing nations.The IPA today released a letter it received from the ACCC.The letter said the ACCC had conveyed its view to Oxfam that some of its statements contained "absolute claims'', which could be at risk of breaching the Trade Practices Act if the Fairtrade certification process was not 100 per cent reliable.But the letter said the ACCC would not take any action against...

from the Melbourne Herald A consumer watchdog group in Australia has cautioned on the OXFAM fair trade certification. - KaleFree market think tank, the Institute of Public Affairs, had complained to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission saying Oxfam had been misleading consumers about the brands helping farmers in developing nations.Numerous studies showed that fair trade was not helping lift people out of poverty, as claimed by Oxfam, the institute said.The commission, in a letter to the institute, said it recognised some material existed in the marketplace where Oxfam repeated fair trade statements that contained absolute claims.Oxfam had been told such claims left it at risk of contravening the Trade Practices Act, the commission said.The institute says Fairtrade is a...

from Red Dragon FM The direct link below also has some video, that I couldn't embed here. Another report on how the rising food prices are hitting the poorest regions of the world. - KaleMillions of East Africans are at risk of starvation due to rocketing food prices, Oxfam has warned.Spiralling costs combined with successive droughts, violent conflict and endemic poverty have left up to 13 million in the region in urgent need of aid.Oxfam has called for immediate action and increased donor support to avert the coming crisis, noting that a UN appeal for emergency assistance for Somalia has received only 37 per cent of funding needed.Food costs have soared in recent months, with the cost of imported rice in Somalia rising by 350 per cent since the beginning of last year.Areas of...

from the BBC This might be a little off topic, but I found it interesting. There are stats on how the US compares for children in poverty compared to worldwide. - Kale Americans live shorter lives than citizens of almost every other developed nation, according to a report from several US charities.The report found that the US ranked 42nd in the world for life expectancy despite spending more on health care per person than any other country.Overall, the American Human Development Report ranked the world's richest country 12th for human development.The study looked at US government data on health, education and income.The report was funded by Oxfam America, the Rockefeller Foundation and the Conrad Hilton Foundation.The report combines measurements of health, education and income into...

from Reuters Africa Oxfam is speaking out on the global trade talks. They make issue with the lack of progress, and the proposal that don't give enough support to poorer farmers. - KaleBy Laura MacInnis GENEVA, The suggestion by top U.S. and EU trade officials that emerging economies need to make big concessions mean there is little hope of reaching a global trade deal this week, the head of Oxfam International said on Monday.Statements from U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab and EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson saying such concessions were needed to forge a World Trade Organisation (WTO) agreement, were "outrageous", Jeremy Hobbs said.The aid advocacy group's executive director said the food and fuel price crisis, combined with looming economic trouble, had created hardship...

from Reuters By Pete HarrisonBRUSSELS (Reuters) - Biofuels are responsible for 30 percent of the increase in global food prices, pushing 30 million people worldwide into poverty, aid agency Oxfam said in a report on Wednesday.The use of biofuels is soaring as developed countries try to reduce their dependence on imported oil and cut emissions of carbon dioxide, but critics say they have led to a shortage of grain, pushing up commodity prices."Rich countries' demands for more biofuels in their transport fuels are causing spiraling production and food inflation," said Oxfam biofuel policy adviser Rob Bailey, who wrote the report. "Grain reserves are now at an all-time low."Oxfam called on rich countries to dismantle subsidies for biofuels and reduce import tariffs."Rich countries spent up...

from the Voice of America By Tendai MaphosaOxfam on Monday published a book warning that the food and fuel price hikes have signaled the start of a new age of scarcity which could drag millions of people further into poverty. It urges immediate action to tackle the huge inequalities that prevent poor people from having access to resources such as food fuel and water. For VOA, Tendai Maphosa has more from London.From Power to Poverty calls for urgent action to address the gap between the world's rich and poor. Duncan Green, the book's author, spoke to VOA."The comparison would be with the U.S. in the Depression or with Europe after the Second World War where you had the New Deal, you had the creation of welfare states," he explained. "We need some level of political inspiration like that...

from IPS Newsnterview with Abera Tola, Director of Oxfam's Horn of Africa regional officeADDIS ABABA, Jun 21 (IPS) - Ethiopia, a nation of 80 million people, has been the site of famine and drought throughout its tumultuous history. Arising from a myriad of causes and often shepherded along by political instability, the country's 1984-85 famine, for example, left over a million dead and served as the impetus for the fund-raising concerts of Live Aid in the United States and the United Kingdom.Today, Ethiopia once again stands at the brink of a substantial food crisis, with the Word Food Program currently estimating that, of Ethiopia's 80 million citizens, 3.4 million will need emergency food relief from July to September. This is in addition to the 8 million currently receiving...

from the New Statesman by Duncan GreenPrivatisation, free trade and market forces . . . the rich world insists poor states play by our rules. But they don't work. Time to let countries determine their own destinies?The global food price crisis is exposing frightening levels of vulnerability in poor nations around the world. Yet these are countries into which the rich world, for half a century or more, has diverted hundreds of billions of dollars of humanitarian aid in pursuit of the high ideal of ending poverty. It is a good moment to take stock and ask what went wrong.Compare two of the most vulnerable economies, Haiti and Botswana. In Haiti, spiralling food prices have in recent months prompted widespread rioting, claiming the lives of six people and forcing the resignation of the...

from the Press Association via GoogleRich countries must increase spending on aid, take urgent action to cut emissions and put a freeze on biofuels targets to tackle poverty and the food crisis, Oxfam has said.Ahead of a meeting of G8 finance ministers in Osaka, Japan, the aid agency called on Chancellor Alistair Darling to drive the governments towards an "ambitious agenda" for dealing with poverty.Oxfam also demanded the UK set an example by dropping domestic targets for biofuels - which the charity said is playing a significant role in pushing up food prices - and upping its targets to cut greenhouse gases to 80% by 2050.A report from the charity said the most urgent priority for the governments at the summit was to fill a 30 billion US dollar (£15 billion) aid gap.Oxfam said G8...

from the ScotsmanBy Jenny HaworthURGENT action must be taken to tackle the soaring cost of food that is plunging poor nations into crisis, according to a new Oxfam report.As world leaders prepared to meet in Rome for an emergency United Nations food summit, Oxfam called on governments to draw up a global action plan to tackle the disaster.With world food prices up 83 per cent on three years ago, Oxfam estimates 2ADVERTISEMENT90 million people are struggling to afford to eat.The charity said the crisis dwarfed the number of people affected by even the largest natural disaster, such as the 2004 Asian tsunami.According to the charity's report entitled The Time is Now, an extra £7.33 billion is needed in immediate assistance.But as well as short-term help, Oxfam wants a longer-term plan of...

from ReutersBy Lesley WroughtonWASHINGTON, April 29 (Reuters) - International development group Oxfam urged World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz to step down in a letter on Sunday, saying his leadership had "become untenable" and the bank's poverty-fighting mission already damaged by the crisis surrounding him.In the letter released to Reuters, Oxfam International Executive Director Jeremy Hobbs said World Bank staff had clearly stated they were unable to carry out their jobs and the institution was in a state of paralysis."Irreparable divisions have now been opened up and the role of the World Bank in the fight against poverty is being deeply compromised," Hobbs wrote, in the first public remarks by a major development group on the issue. The letter was to be published on Monday in The...

from Reuters Alert NetSource: Oxfam GB - UK14 NGOs in SudanReuters and AlertNet are not responsible for the content of this article or for any external internet sites. The views expressed are the author's alone.Long-term funds urgently needed as conflict and coming rains leave many areas accessible only by air14 international aid agencies today warned that vital assistance to millions of people across Sudan will soon be put in jeopardy unless there is renewed commitment to provide long-term funding for humanitarian flights in the country.With violent conflict continuing in Darfur and heavy annual rains due to fall in southern Sudan, which will leave vast areas submerged and impassable, aid agencies now rely more than ever on the United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) to help them...

from IPS NewsInterview with Sylvia Borren, Executive Director of Oxfam-NovibSylvia Borren is one of the three co-chairs of GCAP, together with Kumi Naidoo (Secretary General of Civicus) and Ana Agostino (Member of GCAP's Feminist Taskforce).Marking the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty on Oct. 17, IPS Editor-in-Chief Miren Gutierrez speaks with Borren about what the GCAP (Global Call to Action against Poverty) campaign means for people.IPS: Last year GCAP and the UN Millennium Campaign set a Guinness World Record for the largest single coordinated mobilisation in history, when 23.5 million people in more than 100 countries stood up against poverty on Oct. 17. Malawi President Bingu wa Mutharika joined the demonstrations; in Jaipur, India, 38,000 cricket fans stood up; and...

from The BBCThe first minister has said Scotland will not be diverted from its overseas aid programme by criticism that it is too little to make a difference.It comes after BBC Scotland revealed that nearly a third of the £2m spent on the Scottish Executive's Malawi programme has gone on running costs.Jack McConnell was speaking at a reception in the Scottish Parliament for the charity Oxfam.Oxfam warned much more needed to be done to address endemic poverty.Mr McConnell said: "Devolved Scotland should never become insular. Throughout our history we have looked beyond our borders. "I am determined that we will continue to support Scots helping those elsewhere in the world who are in desperate need."He added that the executive's International Development Fund had backed 58 projects...

from The Nyasa TimesA major international aid agency has called for Scottish politicians to increase their commitment to fighting global poverty, despite criticism that money is not being spent properly.Oxfam wants the parties preparing their election manifestoes for the May 3 Holyrood election to do much more to back up the initiative which began two years ago to focus effort on Malawi.The southern African state of 12 million people, which has strong historical links to Scottish churches, has been the main target of First Minister Jack McConnell in opening up a small development aid programme, worth £4.5 million each year.This has been publicly criticised by Tory and Liberal Democrat MPs for pushing Holyrood beyond the limits of its devolved powers, while Labour MPs have been privately...

It seems the development sector is going social network crazy. First up, Oxfam Ireland, who are trying out some interesting things with blogs and social networking and a character called Aoiphe O’Really. I should start by explaining Aoiphe’s lineage. Oxfam have been running a campaign called Clearurgear for the last couple of months to encourage people to donate unwanted items to their shops. Ask Direct developed the radio ads (which I’d upload here if I could figure out how to do it - tips welcome) featuring a series of characters based on the campaign posters designed by McCabrey Design. One of these characters was Aoiphe - like, an oh-my-gawd kind of female counterpart to Ross O’Carroll Kelly. Rather than leave Aoiphe to languish in a radio ad, Oxfam decided...

Remember the Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon game? Well, our Kev is putting the idea to good use to encourage charitable giving. If you weren’t convinced by my call for charity CEOs to take to blogging last weeek, maybe you’ll listen to Jeff Brooks. He has an article about why charities should blog. Together we can end poverty. I’ve been an admirer of Oxfam UK’s I’m In campaign for a long time. Have a look at their TV ad here Technorati Tags: blogging, charity, fundraising, Kevin Bacon, Oxfam, I’m In...

from The MirrorBy Oonagh Blackman Political EditorTONY Blair yesterday jetted away from his political headaches in Britain to tackle global problems in a Swiss ski resort.The Prime Minister and other world leaders met in Davos to tackle poverty, trade and climate change.But the summit was told the ground-breaking Make Poverty History goals to help Africa were in danger of failing.Oxfam said development aid to the continent has been falling since the grand commitments of leaders at the 2005 G8 meeting at Gleneagles.Charity director Barbara Stocking claimed Iraq and Afghanistan are draining resources from the fight against poverty.She said: "In assessing progress towards helping Africa, world leaders cannot ignore the reality that development aid to Africa is actually falling."Pledges made...

from The Daily MailBy PAUL SIMSThey are the fashionable Christmas gifts at the centre of a multi-million pound fund-raising campaign aimed at those desperate to help save the world from poverty.But critics now claim that buying a goat, cow or even half a dozen chickens through schemes run by Oxfam, Christian Aid and others is doing more harm than good.Instead of helping impoverished communities in the developing world flourish it is spreading disease, damaging the environment and wiping out vital water supplies.Yesterday, the World Land Trust and Animal Aid said it was simply "madness" to send farm animals to areas where they will add to the problems of drought and desertification.John Burton, director of the trust, said: "I was prepared to put this down to ignorance of the issues last...

For the last few years, pretty much every charity I’ve spoken to has felt that response rates to direct mail appeals have been declining. People have put it down to over-mailing, emergency-fatigue, greater competition, a more selfish society or a more cynical public. But I wonder, is it becuase we’ve all been using the wrong typeface? To explain. I’ve been reading Colin Wheildon’s book, Type and Layout. Are You Communicating or Just Making Pretty Shapes. It’s a fantastic, empirical study of how typography, design and layout effect reader comprehension. Does you layout make it easier to understand your message, or harder? One of the most striking findings has to do with the choice of typeface for body copy in printed materials. Wheildon’s study showed...

To date more than 600 groups have become affiliated to ZAW. ZAW now boasts of membership of 5000 registered individuals.ZAW is well known and well regarded in Zambia. Unfortuantely, too many NGO's are 'all talk and no action.' It is tragic to hear that well funded executives of NGO's are driving around in 4x4's and living in plush houses whilst their organisations are neglected. These people tragically are the ones who know how to 'play the game' - they are the ones who effectively access funding. I am aware that ZAW has made a tremendous impact in Zambia but when Mrs Lubinda Tafira, the co-ordinator of ZAW, sort support from UK charities, including Oxfam, Christian Aid and CAFOD (three of my favourite charities incidently) she was turned down!!!Fortuantely, ZAW has had some funding, all...

To date more than 600 groups have become affiliated to ZAW. ZAW now boasts of membership of 5000 registered individuals.ZAW is well known and well regarded in Zambia. Unfortuantely, too many NGO's are 'all talk and no action.' It is tragic to hear that well funded executives of NGO's are driving around in 4x4's and living in plush houses whilst their organisations are neglected. These people tragically are the ones who know how to 'play the game' - they are the ones who effectively access funding. I am aware that ZAW has made a tremendous impact in Zambia but when Mrs Lubinda Tafira, the co-ordinator of ZAW, sort support from UK charities, including Oxfam, Christian Aid and CAFOD (three of my favourite charities incidently) she was turned down!!!Fortuantely, ZAW has had some funding, all...

To date more than 600 groups have become affiliated to ZAW. ZAW now boasts of membership of 5000 registered individuals.ZAW is well known and well regarded in Zambia. Unfortuantely, too many NGO's are 'all talk and no action.' It is tragic to hear that well funded executives of NGO's are driving around in 4x4's and living in plush houses whilst their organisations are neglected. These people tragically are the ones who know how to 'play the game' - they are the ones who effectively access funding. I am aware that ZAW has made a tremendous impact in Zambia but when Mrs Lubinda Tafira, the co-ordinator of ZAW, sort support from UK charities, including Oxfam, Christian Aid and CAFOD (three of my favourite charities incidently) she was turned down!!!Fortuantely, ZAW has had some funding, all...

To date more than 600 groups have become affiliated to ZAW. ZAW now boasts of membership of 5000 registered individuals.ZAW is well known and well regarded in Zambia. Unfortuantely, too many NGO's are 'all talk and no action.' It is tragic to hear that well funded executives of NGO's are driving around in 4x4's and living in plush houses whilst their organisations are neglected. These people tragically are the ones who know how to 'play the game' - they are the ones who effectively access funding. I am aware that ZAW has made a tremendous impact in Zambia but when Mrs Lubinda Tafira, the co-ordinator of ZAW, sort support from UK charities, including Oxfam, Christian Aid and CAFOD (three of my favourite charities incidently) she was turned down!!!Fortuantely, ZAW has had some funding, all...