Danielle Levy

Because Darfur is almost a synonym for suffering, it’s so gratifying to read about something good happening there. The UN-African Union peacekeeping force (UNAMID) sponsored a project in 8 villages of North Darfur which will facilitate access to water. More importantly this kind of access means that the sexual and gender based violence associated with obtaining water will be reduced. A village resident summarized the benefit, “for years we have been afraid of being attacked while fetching water and collecting firewood; it is not always possible to move in groups…” The barrel-shaped water carriers are designed to lessen the physical burden of carrying the water, a task which in Sudan is mainly the responsibility of women ad children. The UNAMID project is part of a larger initiative training midwives and helping to improve health and education in the region’s villages.

Nestle’s Chairman, Peter Brabeck has some definite ideas about water. “Selling water on exchanges the same way other commodities are traded could help solve a shortage of the world’s most precious raw material likely to hit long before oil runs out,” he said. A strong believer in the forces of the market, he cited the example of the Gulf State of Oman which had a water exchange system dating to ancient times and which stabilized prices, as well as the high price of oil which is eroding demand as people adapt. His reasoning obviously makes sense from his point of view. But I wonder how different his arguments would look from the vantage point of consumers? Would they then look as rational or desirable?

A very nice brochure came in the mail–for a 3 weeks, 10 stops trip around the world, traveling by private jet. The price tag: $64,950.00 for double occupancy. There’s a $8,350 extra charge for single rooms. There’s nothing wrong with luxury for those who can afford it. Still every once in a while an item highlights what luxury often means. In this case the cost of a 3 weeks vacation is what a large percentage of U.S. workers earn in a year. My mother would have reminded me that such luxuries create a lot of jobs. Still it does draw attention to the inequalities we live under, and for me it raises a question. If I could afford such a vacation, would I take it or use that money in a way that would somehow reduce those economic inequalities?