A Conflict Mineral Free Canada - Cause Why Not?
You probably didn't have any bad intentions when you bought your cell phone. You probably just got excited about the idea of those sweet, sweet apps and something to fill your idle fingers on the bus. Chances are you weren't thinking about the consequences of your purchase far along the supply chain. But when our love of technology is tied to the deadliest war since WWII, shouldn't we start thinking about those consequences?
The Democratic Republic of Congo supplies the world with a lot of minerals that we use on the daily. These minerals are; Tin, Tantalum, Tungsten and Gold, or now commonly known as conflict minerals. They are found in our clothes, cars, computers and of course, our smart phones. Unfortunately, a lack of regulation and an abundance of corruption lead to funds from this multibillion dollar industry ending up in the hands of arms dealers and warlords. Ongoing conflict doesn't give a community time to build peace and strengthen their economy. It also leaves little opportunity for women and children who often end up the biggest victims of conflict.
What can be done? Lots! Pay attention to what you buy and consider fixing a phone before buying a new one. Demand action from your government! Responsible legislation around sourcing makes it easier for companies and consumers to find ethical options. The NDP's Foreign Affairs Opposition Critic, Paul Dewar, has proposed Bill C-486, the Conflict Minerals Act, which proposes transparency and accountability measures be mandatory for Canadian companies that source minerals from the Great Lakes Region of Africa.
Check out the petition for more information and of course, to sign!
With government pressure and smart corporate social responsibility, there is no reason our purchases need to fund deadly conflict, sexual violence and child soldiers. Companies like Intel have already started to make the big moves necessary to stay ahead of the sustainability game and ease the moral burden of their customers.
Here is Gary Niekerk,Director of Corporate Responsibility at Intel, discussing the companies recent decisions in a Forbes article:
Rahim Kanani: A few weeks ago, Intel CEO Brian Krzanich announced that the company would no longer be using conflict minerals from the Democratic Republic of Congo anymore in its products. How did this particular effort come about, and why now?
Gary Niekerk: It might sound cliché – but we did this because we believed it was the right thing to do. We received a letter a few years ago from a group of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and socially responsible investors. The letter raised concerns that some of the minerals/metals used in the electronics industry (Tin, Tantalum, Tungsten and Gold) might be funding conflict and human rights atrocities in the DRC.
You can also watch Gary Niekerk talking about conflict minerals in his TED Talk. The impact of social committments made by large corporations like Intel can have huge ripple effects across the world. When conflict is fueled by industry, industry regulations matter. These committments will be furthered if governments respond to our consumer demand for ethical products by passing legislation like Bill C-486. Support fair trade for all industries! - Sarah Judd 3rd Year Bachelor of International Development Student
