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Life and Debt, 2001 (86 minutes) Life and Debt explores the impact of globalization on Jamaica. The film provides an important perspective for groups who want to engage in fairly deep discussion around the topics of globalization, trade policy, and economic development. An Internet connection on hand can be used to help answer questions of history and policy that may arise. The leader should definitely watch the film in advance, as it portrays an important but rather condemning view of the West and the United States and may cause comfort among viewers.
Why would anyone ever use it? (More information on the MIFF from their perspective is available at www. Miff. Org. The “About the MIFF” tab contains particularly helpful information. ) 5) The film takes a pretty negative view of globalization. What are the good and bad effects of globalization as it’s currently happening? How could it be improved? 6) Did Jamaica have any real alternative to MIFF loans and agreements? 7) How might the church (particularly the LOCALE) respond to the situation? 8) Do you see any reason for hope in Jamaican state of affairs?
Other Resources If this film and the issues of globalization and trade grabbed your interest, you may want to check out the following resources: The DVD series, Commanding Heights: The Battle for the World Economy (2003). Bread for the World Institute, Hunger 2009: Global Development: Charting a New Course (Washington, D. C. : Bread for the World Institute, 2009), especially chapter 3, “A Clear and Consistent Approach to Development. ” Available online at www. Bread. Org. Paul Collier, The Bottom Billion: Why the Poorest Countries Are Failing and What Can
Be Done About It (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2007), especially chapter 10, “Trade Policy for Reversing Normalization. ” Mark Curtis, Trade for Life: Making Trade Work for Poor People (London: Christian Aid, 2001). Deed. (New York: Farad, Strauss, and Group, 2000). Shannon Jung, Food for Life: The Spirituality and Ethics of Eating (Minneapolis: Fortress, 2004), especially chapter 5, “Global Food Disorder. ” For more on Jamaica and links to recent news stories about Jamaica, visit the LOCALE companion profile Web page: www. Locale. Org/]magic.