Megan Williams: At the historic Palazzo Venezia in downtown Rome, a high-end fundraiser is in full swing.
The event is to raise awareness of the lack of official birth registration for more than 50 million kids born in Africa each year. Without birth certificates, the children are at greater risk of disappearing into slavery and exploitation. GEERTMAN: Well, we basically told the branches stop selling the traditional ones and sell this one. So the vast majority of what we’re selling in now ethical. That’s good news for Mario Marazitti, spokesperson for the campaign to register kids at birth. He says he prefers the longer-term commitment to one-off donations. MARIO Marazitti: I think it’s a good proposal for the times of crisis we are in because in my opinion we have to create a structural relationship between the first world and the third world, and not just to leave it to charity. GEERTMAN: That’s true. Many people make more than that. On the other hand, it’s not a good reason not to do something. Nor, say sceptics, is it a good reason not to do more. In Rome, I’m Megan Williams for Marketplace Money.
Post a Comment: Please be civil, brief and relevant.