FREE ESSAY ON GLOBALIZATION

GLOBALIZATION

What are the function and problems within the globalization process?
Globalization creates new challenges and opportunities for those people who are of
greatest
concern to the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement - that is, the Disadvantaged. The
humanitarian players - that is, the UN system and its organisations, the Red Cross Red
Crescent,
NGOs - have several roles to play in relation to globalization. We should monitor the
impact of
globalization and help governments to strengthen safety nets and provide basic social
services.
We must reinforce our efforts to address the needs of vulnerable people and we must adapt
our
methods of assistance and do all we can to prevent additional, or new, groups from
becoming
vulnerable. We need a stronger commitment to co-operation and co-ordination among
ourselves,
with governments and local civil society. 
 We must also contribute to the global policy agenda to ensure that globalisation
moves in the right direction and supports efforts to reduce poverty and vulnerability.
The
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is particularly
well-placed to
support this endeavour through its network of 176 National Red Cross and Red Crescent
Societies who are in a special position to inform their governments as to the needs of
vulnerable
people. This morning, I would like us - participants, fellow panellists - to examine
together how
globalization can reduce vulnerability. We need to ask ourselves some key questions.
Firstly:
How can we ensure participation in the globalization process? It is true that
globalization can
enable poorer countries to participate more effectively in the multilateral trading
system.
However, it is not true that these opportunities are within the reach of all countries.
In fact, only
a handful of developing countries are really in a position to participate in the process
and benefit
from the new opportunities. 12 developing countries account for some 70% of exports from
the
developing world and they receive more than 90% of the investment flowing from developed
to
developing countries. These countries are mainly located in Latin America and Asia - none
of
them in Africa. There is a real risk of exclusion and further marginalization of
countries and
people. This is cause for real concern within the humanitarian agencies and this
particular topic
will be addressed at the forthcoming UN Conference on Least Developed Countries to be
held in
Brussels next month. Humanitarian players need to to advocate forcefully in favour of
inclusion
for these least developed countries. The International Federation believes that more
countries
can take advantage of globalization if the international trading system is based on
equitable trade
rules, transparency and reduced trade barriers. The new WTO Round planned to start later
this
year will address the further development of the international trade regime. I do hope it
earns its
nickname - the development round. It is vital that all countries have a say in setting
the agenda
for the new Round and its implementation. The poorer countries should seize that
opportunity to
influence the terms of international trade. And we must be ready to facilitate their
participation,
to enable them to make necessary adaptations and take advantage of new trade
opportunities.We
need to place increased emphasis on capacity building and the transfer of know-how to
poorer
countries. It is not only the countries which need better access. Vulnerable people need
a
stronger voice within the international system in order to make their concerns heard by
governments and the institutions that manage the multilateral economic system. Over the
last
years, we have often seen vulnerable people and their advocates show their resistance to
economic globalisation. This debate is legitimate but our objective should be to get it
off the
streets and into the boardrooms and assembly halls where it belongs. Civil society should
be
included more consistently in the globalization processes. Humanitarian Agencies can -
and
should - contribute to the strengthening of local civil society. For the Red Cross Red
Crescent
Movement the strengthening of local capacities and local civil society is a necessary
and
important feature of our operations. Here is another question which I would like us to
examine
together: How can we encourage a better balance between economic growth and social
progress? 
Increased export income does not necessarily improve the situation of vulnerable people.
The
distribution of new wealth and opportunities is often less then equitable, and can create
new 
vulnerability and exclusion. We need to seek an improved balance between economic
efficiency
and economic equity. I am glad that global consensus has been reached on the
internationally
agreed development targets. The UN Millennium Summit agreed to reduce by 50% the
proportion of people who live in extreme poverty by 2015. The Humanitarian World should
support governments in their fight against poverty through assistance programmes and
through
strengthening governments` poverty reduction strategies. Increased trade should assist in
the
overall reduction of poverty. A deeper consultation with civil society can help adjust
strategies to
better meet the challenges of ensuring that poverty reduction becomes a reality. In the 
International Federation we are ready to be a partner in this process. Development
concerns 
are addressed in all our programmes, even in the short term, and we focus on reducing 
vulnerability through disaster reduction, disaster preparedness and better disaster
response as 
we have seen recently in El Salvador and India. Structural adjustment is often necessary
for
poorer countries if they are to take advantage of globalization. There is, however, often
a lack of
consistency between macro-economic objectives and the national poverty reduction goals.
It is a
challenge to help governments carry out the needed liberalisation of their economies in a
manner
that does not create or enhance vulnerability. The humanitarian actors have already seen
the
emergence of new vulnerability in this context in Asia and in Eastern Europe. The
International
Federation`s programme for helping people survive the winter in Russia is now a sad and
regular
feature of our annual appeal. When new needs occur, humanitarian actors must adapt their
programmes and activities. But we also possess extensive knowledge on how, and why,
vulnerability increases and would be pleased to advise concerned governments and
institutions. 
The next question is how to include the countries engaged in a constant fight against
disaster 
and disease? Health problems are a major impediment to development and to globalisation.
The
detrimental effects of poor health on school attendance and productivity is well known.
A
London School of Economics study estimates that controlling malaria in parts of Africa
would
lead to a 20% increase in GDP over 15 years. The economic effect of the HIV/AIDS pandemic
is
devastating. In the most affected African countries, new problems are emerging - a
smaller
workforce, a lack of teachers, a large number of orphans and impoverishment in order to
pay for
the indispensable treatments. Increased market access will not benefit these countries
unless we
first help them fight HIV/AIDS. In addition to maintaining a consistent focus on
HIV/AIDS,
which is one of our priorities, the International Federation advocates strongly for
improving
vulnerable people`s access to affordable drugs. When natural disasters strike, decades
of
development are destroyed. My distinguished panellist colleague from El Salvador can
certainly
confirm this. The countries most prone to natural disasters need assistance in order to
strengthen
their disaster preparedness. The International Federation assists governments in
responding to
disasters, and reduces vulnerability by building local capacity for preparedness. A
major
challenge remains to be addressed. What does globalization mean to countries in 
almost permanent crisis, conflict, civil war, or for failed states? It is difficult to
preach the
advantages of globalization to the citizens of countries like the Sudan, the Democratic
Republic
of Congo, Somalia, Afghanistan, Tajikistan. We all know that peace, security and
political
stability are prerequisites for a sound economy. No strategies have yet emerged to help
these
countries reap any benefits from globalisation. This week in Afghanistan for instance we
are
assisting with other partners in vaccinating thousands of children against polio which
has been
eradicated in most other parts of the world. The basic requirements for human development
are
not yet in place in many of these countries. 
A stronger global commitment to conflict prevention, conflict resolution and peace
building is
needed. We were encouraged by the Brahimi report, that sets out how the UN`s contribution
in 
this area can be strengthened. Humanitarian actors should promote sustainable peace
through 
a strong focus on post-conflict reconstruction, and programmes to facilitate
demobilisation and 
reintegration. 4.