Consumer in First World

Many recent theorists have explained the development of the third world in terms of dependency upon the first world - the dependency paradigm. This dependency initially took a colonial form, but is now economic. The economic dominance of the first world maintains unequal power relationships via the capitalist system. This theory considers the world as having a "centre" - the first world - and a third world "periphery". This division is both economic and political - the uneven balance between the two maintains third world countries within the periphery. The periphery generally produces low value raw materials and simple goods, which have few beneficial side effects in terms of workforce education and technology enhancement. The centre buys these goods at minimal prices, and produces high value, manufactured goods, with considerable advantage to the producing country. That’s the reason Side Effects is working to change this culture.

Side Effects in Poverty & Health

Poverty is undoubtedly a killer; millions of people in Africa live on under $1 a day. Particularly in many cities, the gap between this income and costs is such that there is often not enough to buy sufficient food, let alone healthcare. For example, to afford a $2.50 x-ray may be beyond many African/Pakistani/Bangladeshi and Indian poor. Malnutrition is estimated, by UNICEF, to contribute to 55% of deaths of children. In Western Africa, 33% of under-5s are estimated to be underweight, 38% to be stunted, and 9.5% wasted.

Conclusion

The ongoing economic subjugation of the third world by the first world undoubtedly has a huge effect on the economies of those countries. This financial damage is seen on an individual level as poverty, hunger, and lack of healthcare access. Side Effects acknowledge this damage, and seek to make more effort to rectify it, in order to improve the lives of millions in the third world. As consumers in the first world, there are things we can do. If you feel that this is an important issue, then do something about it! Get involved with campaigning organizations, buy fairly traded products and avoid those companies who are particularly nefarious in this area

Side Effects Effort

Block printing is a very typical way of decorating fabrics in South Asia. It is a long process first the blocks have to be designed and carved out of wood, then they are brushed with dye and printed on to the fabric. If more than one colour is to be used, you need a separate block for each colour. Wood block printing is a technique for printing text, images or patterns used widely throughout East Asia and originating in China date before 220, from Egypt to the 4th century and Europeans mainly in 15th century. Dr Ayyaz a London based fashion designer agrees with ethical forum, that the fashion industry remains one of the most exploitative in the world, both to people and the environment. In human working conditions, poverty wages and shocking environmental damage are wide spread. Launching this effort to improve the conditions of families of workers in this block printing industry especially in health and education. And revival of this art. hand printing labour will get extra benefits in the shape of grants for there children’s health and education. Funds will be taken out from profits earned through the product sales. Side Effects is to create more awareness to the facts on how and where they are produced and to improve the labour standards in supply chain. In order to establish this he started a workshop in Lahore, Pakistan with 5 people in the group. And the product is block printed scarf’s for U.K market. And with the awareness message; we have to think more carefully before we buy and design new clothing.