Educational Media Reviews Online

In September 2000 at the United Nations Millennium Summit in New York, delegates introduced a set of eight goals to significantly reduce global poverty by 2015. Known as The Millennium Development Goals, its purpose is to 1) eradicate extreme poverty and hunger, 2) achieve universal primary education, 3) promote gender equality and empower women, 4) reduce child mortality, 5) improve maternal health, 6) combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases, 7) ensure environmental sustainability, and 8) develop a global partnership for development. (http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/)

To draw attention to this international calamity, Television Trust for the Environment (TVE) has produced 27 half-hour documentary programs as part of the Life 4: The Millennium Series to shed light on historical events resulting in extreme poverty and chaos, and to encourage leading authorities to offer solutions to help bring about eco-political change. The series spotlights communities and villages often ignored by global media.

The Hospice looks at the indefatigable efforts of Sister Leonia, a Catholic nurse from Poland; Cromwell Sailonga, Clinical Officer; and other committed staff who treat patients with HIV/AIDS, TB, and other related diseases at The Mother of Mercy Hospice near Lusaka, Zambia. Sister Leonia and her staff realize that many of the people do not have access to transportation. Therefore, they dutifully outreach to more than 500 people in neighboring compounds and remote villages

Built in 1997, the 22-bed shelter is more than a place where patients receive drugs or are left to die. It has become “a shelter so people can die with dignity” says Sister Leonia. In a beautiful country slightly larger than the state of Texas with nearly 11 million people, one in five persons is infected with the HIV/AIDS virus. More than 200 die per day from the disease. While the life expectancy in most developed countries is between 77-80 years old, Zambia’s life expectancy is 36 years old.

Although 189 UN delegates are dedicated to reversing the spread of the disease, it will not be an easy task to accomplish. Sailonga states that the shelter not only treats the disease, but they must also combat the disease that leads to poverty and malnourishment. A starving patient isn’t strong enough to help overcome the ravaging attack of the HIV/AIDS virus. Sailonga’s primary concerns are for the international community to develop cheaper drugs, that the shelter be supplied at all times, and for Zambia to implement sex education training programs in a country that looks upon sex as a taboo topic. Sailonga has pledged to break with tradition and speak with his children about the dangers of sex so that they will be able to make informed decisions. Otherwise, until sex education can be discussed freely and openly, death and disease will continue to alarmingly rise.

For now, Sister Leonia and her staff are optimistic that with kindness, peace, and love coupled with the help of a higher being, hope can exist in places like Lusaka. Clearly the need to produce cheaper medicine, improve economic development to combat poverty will help this country to survive in the next millennium.

This Hard Ground: Remembering the Displaced focuses on the displaced people of Sri Lanka, and the challenges they face to rebuild their lives, and regain self-confidence. Sri Lanka’s displaced multi-ethnic people make up nearly one million of 25 million internationally displaced persons or refugees in over 50 countries. Internal civil war and ethnic cleansing are two major contributors which forces thousands to seek shelter at overcrowded welfare centers, or refugee camps.

Since the 1950s, civil war has existed between the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL), dominated by the Sinhalese Buddhists, and the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), dominated by Tamil Hindus. The LTTE have been responsible for the forced removal of more than 72,000 Muslims from Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mullaittivu, and Mannar, stripping them of all possessions.

Currently, refugees are able to receive government subsidies. Yet, the overwhelming influx of refugees has put a tremendous strain on existing poor communities. The tension and resentment towards refuges stem from the local poor who do not qualify to receive government funds, health-care, or education. Another concern for local communities is job displacement because of cheap labor provided by the refugees. However, unemployment still remains high among young, refugee males. N Ganeshan, Association of Welfare Centers, reports that young males who do not have access to clean living conditions, health-care, education, or job opportunities are more at risk to create their own band of militancy.

Still amidst the harsh realities, displaced people are hoping to return home. Peace talks in 2000 provided a means for half of the displaced people to return to their village and rebuild homes gutted by the militants and the army. However, it is the remaining hundreds of thousands refugees who are in dire need of international assistance.

UN delegates have pledged four and half billion US dollars to help rebuild Sri Lanka as long as there is peace. However, in the wake of looming elections, the country faces the possibility of renewed conflict. Only the people of Sri Lanka can decide its survival in this, and the next millennium.

In The Wake of War looks at ways peace and economic development can thrive in a country torn apart by a ten-year civil war between the Tutsi-dominated army and Hutu rebels. The war is responsible for one million refugees, and 300,000 deaths. It is reported that European colonialism is the primary cause for the division using diplomatic propaganda to empower the minority-Tutsi as being superior to the majority-Hutus. It is a divisive tactic that exists today. However, reconciliatory councils and committees such as the Bashingantahe Council and the Muhanga Development Committee are combating years of colonial oppression to offer the Burundi people a chance to become self-sufficient, and to bring peace to the Tutsi and Hutu people.

In 2000 a peace accord, spearheaded by Nelson Mandela, provided a means for many refugees such as Philippe Mvuyekure to return home to loved ones, while others had to rebuild from ground zero, reclaim lost land, and deal with the loss of deceased family and friends. International donors have pledged one billion US dollars to help restore Burundi’s economy if the country can maintain peace. However, there are two major obstacles that threaten the peace process, 1) upcoming multi-party elections in which Hutu elected officials have been notoriously assassinated since the 1960s, and 2) the 55,000 Hutu rebels who chose not to sign the peace accord, and still continue to attack and raid near-by cities, and murder people in neighboring countries like Congo.

Still, the peace accord has raised questions such as how best to diffuse future conflicts, and how economic development could contribute to building lasting peace. Burundi authorities argue that the situation is a catch 22. Burundi officials claim that to maintain peace, the country must have international aid to develop the economy and provide programs. It is estimated that the majority of Burundi citizens are farmers, cultivators of coffee bean. They need basic tools, jobs, and education to survive. Otherwise, restlessness leads to acts of violence.

At times, it’s hard to imagine that hope can survive in such a dynamic and chaotic environment, but grass root organizations such as the Bashingantahe Council, and the Muhanga Development Committee seek ways to reconcile differences and instill peace between the two ethnic groups. The Bashingantahe Council consists of wise elders, and use traditional tribal solutions to resolve conflicts between the Tutsi and Hutu villagers. The Muhanga Development Committee consists of democratically elected officials from both ethnic groups, and they are internationally supported to provide economic development training for those in dire need of assistance. All people can receive international packages such as tools and seeds necessary to cultivate the land, and grow crops for economic sustainability.

For now, the people in the province of Kayanza are flourishing because jobs exist for the young people, and there is a feeling of hope, and restored dignity. However, the future of other provinces and villages of Burundi is unclear as the paradox continues to exist between those refugees who want to return to a life of normalcy, and live alongside their once sworn enemy, and those who continue to live by the gun.

These films are well documented, and the soundtrack appropriately reflects the human suffering and sorrow. The series is a must for all libraries and is highly recommended for African, Asian, Health, and International Studies students.

For more information about the UN Millennium Development Goals, see the EMRO review of The Millennium Goals: Dream or Reality.

Related Titles available at Bullfrog Films and reviewed in EMRO:

City Life: 22-part series examining the effect of globalization on people and cities worldwide.

Life: 30-part series that looks at the effect of globalization on individuals and communities around the world.

Life III: A 12-part series about Globalization and its effect on ordinary people and communities around the world.
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Up In Smoke