http://generation-next.tigblog.org/ What's on the minds of young leaders from around the globe? en-us http://generation-next.tigblog.org/post/33163 Fri, 16 Dec 2005 09:16:00 EST http://generation-next.tigblog.org/post/33163 http://generation-next.tigblog.org/post/33161 PLEASE well meaning and concerned Nigerians please join this tread and let us put words together and make a better representation of Nigeria ONLINE.]]> Fri, 16 Dec 2005 08:25:00 EST http://generation-next.tigblog.org/post/33161 http://generation-next.tigblog.org/post/14081
The study on child labour on cocoa farms in the Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Cameroon and Ghana was one of the steps agreed last year by labour watchdogs, food makers, millers and consumer groups to end abusive child labour practices by 2005 at the latest.

Some estimates have put the number of child slaves at 15,000, prompting proposals to bar US imports of cocoa unless shippers can prove it was grown without slave labour.

Cocoa is the primary ingredient in making chocolate. Two-thirds of all cocoa products are consumed in Europe and North America. Ivory Coast grows more than 40% of the world's cocoa and neighbouring Ghana is No. 2 with 15%.

"Clearly, poverty is the underlying cause for the child labour situation in West Africa," said Jim Gockowski, the researcher from the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture who supervised the work.

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and national research collaborators in Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana and Nigeria conducted the surveys with the support of USAID and USDOL, the global chocolate industry, ILO-IPEC, and West African governments. The Chocolate Manufacturers Association, a trade group for the U.S. chocolate industry, said the study "confirms the need to address the safety of children on cocoa farms and the economic well-being of cocoa-farming families" as well as supporting the multi-step process to reform labour practices.

Deputy Under Secretary for International Labour Affairs Tom Moorhead said, "These children are not only working in dangerous jobs, they are also losing the chance for an education. But with this survey information we can better define the problem and in turn design a better program to address the problem. Most important is that the chocolate manufacturers and the West African governments have been working closely with us to eliminate exploitative child labour in the cocoa industry."

As part of that effort, an International Cocoa Initiative was launched on July 1 to support field projects and act as a clearinghouse for "best practices" to reform labour practices, to develop a plan to enforce standards against child and forced labour, and to help determine the best ways to monitor and report on compliance with those standards.
]]> Wed, 11 Feb 2004 08:24:00 EST http://generation-next.tigblog.org/post/14081 http://generation-next.tigblog.org/post/14080
The diamond and gold rush

Apartheid and the resistance, followed by the Sharpeville killings (see foot note below) massive violation of human rights, including detention with-out trial, which resulted in mysterious deaths (or shall I say murders) of some of the greatest freedom fighters in South African history.

The eventual dismantling of apartheid which led to the eminent release of Mr. Nelson Mandela


After gaining political freedom in 1994 we said: #8220;Free at last#8221;. Free from the minority oppression and domination that ripped the heart and soul from millions of black South Africans.

This heralded a new beginning, the Rebirth of our nation. Never in our wildest dreams could we visualize, as a young democracy, the daunting challenges that we would face, with in our new dispensation. The displacement of huge quantities of people (GROUP AREAS ACT) resulted in the breakdown of economies and the dismantling of the family and community support systems. Our new government inherited huge debts from the previous regime, along with all the baggage incurred during Apartheid, namely:

High unemployment rates

Non-existent social welfare support

Changing parenting patterns

High levels of domestic violence

Low levels of education

High dropout rates at schools

Lack of effective safety and protection services

The breakdown of family structures.

i think that the issue of child labour should be given a permanent solution, taking into consideration the areas of costs and benefits.]]> Wed, 11 Feb 2004 08:18:00 EST http://generation-next.tigblog.org/post/14080 http://generation-next.tigblog.org/post/10941 a lot of people has fallen victims of this.when they find themselves in an unusual situations,they will make the conclusions that it is destined to happen to them.but dont you think its no so?and its only what u make happen that happens?]]> Sat, 13 Sep 2003 12:59:00 EDT http://generation-next.tigblog.org/post/10941