This time, work took
me – and thankfully for Aaron, he as well – to Nairobi. The purpose? We were
delegates at the WTO Ministerial Conference, known also as MC10 (because it’s
the tenth WTO conference since 1996). The current round is the sixth one following
the 2001 Doha
Conference,
which focused on two main issues: agriculture, and “topics of interest to
developing countries.” Two agreements came from this round of talks, but
nothing was actually solved, so to speak. Thus, Nairobi was a continuation of
the Doha Round.
Sadly, it didn’t, and
still doesn’t, seem to be a topic found on mass media sites, which is odd,
given the Conference’s importance on all things world trade! This isn’t even an area I’m interested or
knowledgeable in, and yet even I can recognize its significance! But, it’s
particularly interesting because many believed this would be the concluding
chapter* of the Doha series of discussions. The US, appears to be especially
eager to end things, but not in a resolution sort of way, more so in a ‘let’s
drop it and move on to things that will continue to benefit us’ sort of way…
Basically, many of the Global South countries are pushing for better, more
equitable policies for them – and rightfully so – while the US is trying hard
to ensure this doesn’t happen, while instead wanting to expand the WTO, giving them (the US) even
greater power. Now, before I move on and actually share my experience, I just
want to make it clear, that this is what we’ve heard on the ground. Other than that, I have
been informed that climate change, the environment in general, and the SDGs have made it into the discussions each day…
that has to be a step in the right direction, right?!
Let’s back up a
bit. We were picked up at the delightful
hour of 5:52am on the Sunday before the conference. I consider myself a morning person, but even for me, that one
was rough… especially since in knowing we had (what we thought would be) a
12-hour bus ride ahead of us, I passed on my VERY crucial morning brew! We
boarded the 6:30am bus, and soon were out of the city and enroute for Nairobi**.
If you recall, I stated that the
trip through rural Uganda was
stunning. I don’t want to discount the beauty of my host-country, but let
me tell you, passing through the largest tea estate in East Africa with the
sunshine highlighting the acres and acres of land is something that just can’t
be described. It’s massive. Then, just a ways down the road, seeing something
equally, if not more beautiful catch your eye – the actual Rift Valley! Sorry
folks, there are no pictures to share with you… there wasn’t enough time to
take it all in and have my brain emit the message to dig out my camera and snap
a few unclear, garbled shots. Needless to say, the hours we drove during
daytime were anything but boring. By nightfall, though, it just became
uncomfortable… There’s only so long one can just sit!
The hotel we stayed in
was kind of sketchy, as was the neighbourhood in which it was situated. But,
when you’ve had a long travel, even the noise of the pounding bass streaming
from the club just a floor below you finds a way of soothing you to sleep!
Our first full day in
Nairobi consisted of checking in/picking up our ID badge, which was most
definitely one of the most exciting moments of the week, as it made it all seem
official. Plus, it gave me an excuse to harass Aaron about his cheesy headshot!
Then we made out way to an NGO planning meeting, which we thought was going to
be a productive let’s make a game plan so
we don’t sound like a bunch of lunatics session, but ended up pretty much
being a we all sound like lunatics***
meeting. This session was the moment that I realized that a career in advocacy
is definitely not for me - at least at this level. There was no presence of critical thinking, not
coherent argument, just semi-extremism. But, it provided us with a tasty lunch,
so it wasn’t all bad! Later we broke
from that group and made out way to the NGO Centre at the ‘main-stage’ of the
Conference.
Day two found us at
another extremist, let’s rally the troops
and get everyone excited meeting, followed by a protest. Neither of these
were a good time for this girl. This was partly because I don’t understand the
trade jargon used in most of the speeches, but also because lack of intelligent
conversation is just not something I enjoy or relate to. I’m not saying that if
you aren’t a PhD level of intelligence than I don’t have time for you. But if
you aren’t thinking about what you’re saying or the actions that those
statements are projecting, than it defeats the purpose of the message you’re
trying to get across, and as a result has you taken far less seriously. By the
same token, holding a protest down a fairly abandoned street, where no one of
interest or ability to make changes is found, is not the most useful thing. I’m
not a huge supporter of protests in general (meaning, I’m 99% against them),
but if you’re going to do so, have it be organized and at the attention of
those you’re trying to gain notice from.
 |
| A shot of the protest |
But thankfully, the
end of day two provided a little insight into something more my style – a
symposium on trade and development, affectionately known as the Trade and Development Symposium,
held at the Hilton Hotel. This made our final two days far more intellectually
stimulating, participatory, and just overall productive!
So, day three began
with a meeting introducing a new tool for advocating on investment, put on by our sponsoring
organization SEATINI and
their partner, and co-author of the tool, Traidcraft.
Given that I have little (i.e. no) background in trade, I found this session
really interesting. I actually learned
something! And, once again, was rewarded with a delicious lunch…including blue
cheese, which I know I’m allergic to, and thus should be avoiding, but… what’s
a girl to do?!
Afterwards we broke
off on our own and attended several sessions at the Hilton. I selected three on
Food Security. The third session, however, was where I delivered my one thing that scares me a day for the
day – I asked a question in a room full of knowledgeable people on a subject
matter I’m not too familiar with… and received no response or even
acknowledgement. This is the very thing I was referencing in my previous post
on the Climate Change talks.
While my question was related to the topic of the session, it wasn’t directly
so. It was a new-ish topic, that I know I need to continue to ask, because it’s
not only important to my work here in Uganda, but also the work I want to be
focusing on even after my placement is up in April. And despite the question
not being addressed, I was really proud of myself! Even my boss gave me a pat
on the back and offered some words of encouragement!
Day four, our final
day in Nairobi, was a mixture of sessions at the Symposium and a quick touristy
walk around the city. I attended two sessions, one on conservation and tourism
in Africa related to trade – particularly illegal trade – and the other on
the WTO Agenda in relation to the SDGs… as in what should a few of the
panellists*** bring with them into the negotiations later that day. The session
on conservation was so interesting and disheartening at the same time. From an
intellectual standpoint, the information and discussion made me feel the
familiar comfort of many of the ESST
courses during my time at Acadia University. The one on the SDGs, however, meant I had another
opportunity to ask my question from the previous day – how do we address the
lack of involvement/interest of youth in agriculture, and what are the
implications for trade and food security as a result? This time, although one
panellist obviously avoided responding, it was addressed by two of the other
panellists – one currently working on this very issue in Ghana, and the other
the only female panellist, who happened to also be directly involved with the
negotiations. And while they didn’t really give me anything new in their
answers, I was just pleased to have the very troubling trend discussed, even if
only for a minute or two.
Once these sessions
concluded, Aaron and I took to the ‘mean’ streets of Nairobi. Now, I’m semi
light-heartedly saying that. For the most part touring around wasn’t that bad.
BUT most of the locals we spoke to informed us, and other delegates, to be
careful when walking around. My personal favourite quote was from a government
official or ambassador (I can’t remember which) who told us “Kenyans are a
friendly bunch…who sometimes like to displace you of your stuff.” I mean, I
don’t know that I’d use that as your tourist slogan, but I did get a little
chuckle out of it! Needless to say, we were fine!
 |
| KICC - one of the most recognizable sites in Kenya, but also where the negotiations took place. |
 |
| Just outside of the KICC |
 |
| Inside the Official Conference Grounds |
Our last few hours in
Nairobi were spent winding down, before heading off to the bus stop and
preparing for the long trip ahead (aka purchasing road trip snacks!). This
time, was a bit shorter, at least, but was a bit less comfortable, which is
interesting given the bus on the way to Kenya was severely lacking both shocks
and breaks! Why was it uncomfortable, you ask? Well, for me, I was sitting next
to an unknown sir, who felt it acceptable to semi-spoon me while he slept. This
would have been slightly okay had he not smelled of an awkward and unwanted
combination of urine, old man sweat*****, and mould. Thankfully though, he was
only travelling as far as the border, so I had the row of seats to myself for the remainder of the trip, meaning I was able to get a few uninterrupted hours of sleep before arriving
back in Kampala.
I have to say, our
return to Kampala made me realize just how much this city has grown on me. It felt so good
to be home! It felt even better to be
greeted by one of our boda drivers (with a hug, might I add) at the bus
station, the other at the top of our road when we arrived, and by the
delightful smile and surprise hug from our building security guy! I think Aaron
may have felt a little left out of the love-fest I was receiving, but I was
loving every minute of it!
The overall experience in Kenya, was pretty amazing. I learned a lot, met some great people, and have come away with a better understanding of where I do and do not want my career path to go. Even though I didn't understand much of the discussions taking place over the first two days, I'm really thankful for this experience.
The overall experience in Kenya, was pretty amazing. I learned a lot, met some great people, and have come away with a better understanding of where I do and do not want my career path to go. Even though I didn't understand much of the discussions taking place over the first two days, I'm really thankful for this experience.
And that, my friends,
is the tale of that time I was “important” once and “spoke” at the WTO
Ministerial Conference in Nairobi. For more information on the conference, check out the WTO's Conference website.
I should also note
that at the same time we were wandering the streets of the city, I should have
been in Manchester crossing the stage at my Masters graduation. I’m not sad I
missed it, but I’m sure sorry I wasn’t surrounded, once again, by those amazing
people that I now thankfully get to call my friends! A big congrats to my
fellow IDPMers for such a momentous achievement! Miss you all lots and I hope
to see many of you in my travels over the next year or in Canada somewhere down
the line in the hopefully not-so-distant future!
Now to catch up on
some much needed sleep…
-the Orange Canadian
*Some reports appear to indicate that this as been the case, while others are claiming it's still uncertain if a concluding deal has happened...
**My brother informs me that this was the best text ever…
**My brother informs me that this was the best text ever…
***To be fair, not
everyone in that room was of that mindset. I actually met some really great
folks in there!
****This session is
where I gained some of the inside knowledge about the environment being a daily
focus of the negotiations.
*****Not exactly sure
what ‘old man sweat’ smells like, and I would like to formally apologize to any
sweaty old men that I may have offended.
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