Politics & Natural Resources: the Brutal Reality

Letter FROM THE EDITOR

The theme of this edition of The Toronto Globalist, Global Economy and the Politics of Resources, is appropriate given that the economy is top of mind for citizens these days. Regular news articles and reports speak to the growing recession and the subsequent effects on citizens through lost savings, lost jobs and business closures especially here in North America. But, according to a paper released by the World Bank on March 8th 2009, developing countries face a financial shortfall of $270-700 billion this year, as private sector creditors shun emerging markets, and only one quarter of the most vulnerable countries have the resources to prevent a rise in poverty. According to World Bank Managing Director Ngozi OkonjoIweala, “when this crisis began people in developing countries, especially those in Africa, were the innocent bystanders in this crisis, yet they have no choice but to bear its harsh consequences.” The politics of resource extraction will only grow with this downturn in the economy as those developing countries with rich resources will continue to succumb to the greed of outside investors and internal politics. 

Several of our articles in this addition focus, not surprisingly, on the link between resource wealth and conflict in Africa. The article by Mathew Escano looks at the twin issues of greed and grievances in the ongoing conflict in many African nations. Yinuo Geng focuses on the relationship between resource exploitation and conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Aisha Ansari looks through a lens of human rights and resource extraction in her article about China’s actions in the Sudan. Bedour Alagraa delves into the ongoing water crisis in the Middle East. Marilyn Heymann’s article takes a different path and discusses the strong link between global health and the world’s financial crisis. Natalie  Krajinovic and Alexander Lim’s interview with James Orbinski also focuses on issues of health and human rights and is particularly timely, given the recent kidnapping and recovery of a Quebec nurse working in Darfur for Doctors without Borders. Anita Li reports on gender equity and equality for working women in South Korea. Matthew Gray reviews two books with competing predictions about the future of Europe, and don’t forget to check out Amy Stupavsky’s The Lighter Side and Global Happenings. Finally, our feature article by Angus Fei Ni about his recent trip to the Sudan looks at a nation that has been under a magnifying glass for years. He uncovers a different perspective that should make all of us pause to consider our own preconceived ideas about reality and human rights.

This is my last issue of the Toronto Globalist as Executive Director & EditorinChief, and I would like to welcome Natalie Krajinovic who will take over this position for the 2009-2010 school year. Natalie comes with a wealth of knowledge and experience, having served on our Editorial Board for the past two years. I would also like to thank our wonderful staff who have dedicated much of their time to making this issue a success.

Enjoy!

Colleen Fox
Executive Director & EditorinChief