Globalisation Learning Quest: Select

Background · Clothing factory worker · CEO multinational · Environmentalist · Worker in NGO · Activist Background questions Does globalisation improve living conditions? If so - how? If not - why not? Does globalisation encourage developing countries to underbid each other without truly accounting for the social and environmental costs? Is globalisation widening the gap between rich and poor? How does globalisation affect human rights around the world? How can human rights and the environment be protected while obtaining the benefits of globalisation for all people? Who is making the decisions that are driving globalisation? (Are multinational corporations supplanting elected governments as world decision makers?) What scope is there for Australians as global citizens to influence the working conditions of people in developing countries? Clothing factory worker in a developing country What are the advantages and disadvantages of working in the clothing industry for a multinational company? How do your working conditions - pay, hours, safety etc compare to other work places in your country? How do your working conditions compare to those in industrialised countries? Why are many factory workers women and children? If there are problems in your factory with the way in which you are treated, what could you do about it? Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of a multinational clothing company How do factories in developing countries assist the local community? What is a code of conduct and why is it important? What are the implications for your business of maintaining a responsible code of conduct in factories in developing countries which manufacture your products? Environmentalist In what ways might globalisation affect the environment? What environmental problems does the textile, clothing and footwear industry contribute to? What suggestions could you make to businesses to improve their environmental records? Worker in a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) What activities have NGOs undertaken to try and negotiate fairer work conditions for clothing workers? How do NGOs support the labour rights of factory workers in developing countries? Activist What are the main problems in the clothing manufacturing industry in developing countries? What are the consequences of the closing down factories? Which protest methods are the most effective?

Each group will research the information that their role requires in order to work effectively as a member of the team investigating the global textiles, clothing and footwear industry. There are some focus questions posed to assist you in your reading, understanding and reporting back to the team about your role. Make notes and record where you found your information. You can use the bibliography framework template.