Problem
I. What is the overall objective of the Sustainable Development Goals? Unlike the Millennium Development Goals the Sustainable Development Goals are applicable to every country in the world? Why are they important to every country rather than just to developing countries (as were the Millennium Development Goals)? Why is trade so fundamental to the Sustainable Development Goals?
II. Is free trade fair? Why or why not? Does the fairness or lack of fairness of free trade justify impeding trade liberalization? Is fair trade fair? Why or why not? Is the concept of fairness the same for all individuals, cultures? How might this impact on free trade negotiations?
III. Certification of production attributes for food products is growing in importance globally.
Is this requirement a barrier to trade for developing countries?
Are there ways to facilitate increased exports with certification from developing countries?
Is the requirement for certification basically a non-tariff trade barrier that should not be allowed under the WTO?
IV. The use of chemical fertilizers is important to the volume of food produced globally.
Recently fertilizer prices have increased significantly.
How do fertilizer price increases affect food prices?
Are the effects of increased fertilizer prices occurring in both developed and developing countries? In which type of country are the effects bigger? Why? There have been proposals in some countries to gradually reduce chemical fertilizer use to reduce GHG emissions. What do countries need to do to prepare for reduced chemical fertilizer use?
V. The government of Canada has been asked to consider mandating that all government purchasing (where possible) be of fair trade identified products. Proponents of this policy suggest that the government might be able to invest less in traditional foreign aid to developing countries if they followed the policy. If you were asked to identify pros and cons of this policy which 5 arguments would you present to the government
VI. Identify three ways that globalization can impact on rural communities. Is this impact on rural communities something that government should consider in developing policies which enhance globalization? How is the movement toward local purchasing playing a role in influencing globalization impacts in rural communities?