By
Ashley Bailey, Sunday, July 23, 2006 12:00 AM
Martin Rapaport addressed an international audience on the plight of artisanal diamond miners in Africa. Following his address, Whiteflash discussed the African situation with Rapaport for a camera team from the Discovery Channel.
The political obstacles to creating free, fair and competitive markets in these countries are historically considerable. Beyond the protectionist work Kimberly Process, the USA Patriot Act and the Council for Responsible Jewelry Practices are doing, does the information age present an opportunity to work toward people-centered solutions?
Rapaport's JCK proposal centers on the diamond industry using economic purchasing power to create market forces which can drive out exploitation and poverty in Africa's poorest countries.
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