Editorial - Tom Wilmot

Like it or not, when looking for sustainable development solutions, the most effective are often based around sound financial security. Money talks, and as we become an increasingly global society it not only talks louder, but it has more to talk about; food, electrical goods, drugs, carbon credits and even people are crossing borders more than ever before.

We each play an individual part in cultivating global trade and financial systems that can lead us towards greater fairness and opportunity for all, whilst at the same time avoiding severe and lasting damage to the environment. And once again, it all comes back to ‘doing our bit’, ‘every little helps’; however you like to see it.

In this issue of Development in Action, Laura Hughes gives us a brief summary of what ethical consumerism means in this era of rapid change.

Nabeela Ahmed examines the successes of microfinance; an effective tool in sustainable development in a range of contexts.

Samantha Watson writes about the disturbing phenomenon of human trafficking, in which the perpetrators are exploiting aspects of globalisation to their advantage, bringing misery and suffering to our own doorstep, where we can’t ignore it.

Antony Williamson also takes an insightful look at the barriers, financial and otherwise, that prevent us from each taking responsibility for ‘doing our bit’ towards addressing global warming.

This issue poses many questions and exposes many of the faults in our global society, but it also offers some solutions. You will be shocked by some of the revelations, and saddened by the position we find ourselves in. But we should also take this insight as an opportunity to make positive change happen, by communicating these ideas and championing those initiatives that can make a difference. An Islamic proverb says that ‘when God wishes a man well, he gives him insight into his faults’. Sustainable development is about using our strengths to atone for these faults.

I would also like to take this opportunity to let Laura Hughes update us on Development in Action's 'Touring Exhibition':

Touring Exhibition Update:

Development in Action has been working towards the production of a movable learning resource, promoting development education. With the help of several dedicated volunteers, plans to launch the Touring Exhibition later this year are set to come to fruition.

As a key part of DiA placements, volunteers are asked to research and produce projects that can be used to explain vital issues, challenge stereotypes, and bring information about India and development to communities across the UK. These diverse projects are inspired by the experiences of our volunteers and will form the core content of the exhibition. Using films, interviews, images and activities we hope to give visitors a snapshot of life in India, and prompt deeper thought on the way we perceive the people and the development issues they represent.

When choosing the pieces for the exhibition, we were delighted to discover that our volunteers have taken the initial theme of ‘empowerment’ and expanded on it to produce projects that focus on a range of topics. Each project is different because each DiA volunteer encounters unique challenges and opportunities during their placement. So, to help us reflect new topics emerging from each round of placements, the exhibition has been designed as a dynamic platform where content can be constantly updated. This also boosts the long term sustainability of the exhibition as a useful and current learning resource.

Watch this space for more information later in the year…

Laura Hughes

And finally... we are hoping to set up a facility on these pages to allow readers to comment on articles and stimulate discussion. In the meantime, please email newsletter@developmentinaction.org with questions or comments.

Tom Wilmot

DiA Magazine Editor