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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2007-04-25, Page 10Page 10 April 25, 2007 • The Huron Expositor News St. Anne's social justice committee to ban Coca Cola for its corporate Stew Slater Considering the agenda included a presentation from students enti- tled "Coca Cola: the Corporation that Kills," it would seem safe to predict the transnational beverage maker's image would suffer some serious blows at a regular meeting of the Huron -Perth Catholic District School Board on Monday, April 23. And indeed, that was the case. Anna Brenner and Dave Devlaeminck, members of the St. Anne's Secondary School Students for Social Justice, reported to trustees about their research into Coca Cola, before requesting that all of the company's products be banned from the board. "According to the Catholic social teaching, it is our duty, as a Catholic school board, to ensure that our affiliations and company ties respect the dignity of the human person If you are unemployed or on El FREE Group Professional Resume Development Interview Preparation Job Seekers & Coaching Club Call The Centre for Employment & Learning for more information 519-524-2515 Goderich 519-482-1700 Clinton 519-235-0471 Exeter 519-527-0305 Seaforth 519-357-4995 Wingham EMPLOYMENT ONTARIO Empoyment Ontario programs are funded on pan by the Government of Canada. and ensure environmental stewardship." Devlaeminck quoted directly from a couple of Huron -Perth policies and goals, before arguing Coca Cola's practices around the world are not in keeping with the spirit of those policies. "We have to ask ourselves why Coca Cola does not give its employees the standard of liv- ing they should have," he said. Drawing from their own research as well as insight from a workshop held at King's College at the University of Western Ontario, the two students outlined practices they suggested -are indicative of the corporation's unacceptable record. These include drawing down pre- cious groundwater resources in India and Chiapas, Mexico, as well as intimidation of union leaders in Colombia, Turkey and Pakistan. In India, Brenner added, the com- pany sells a byproduct of its manu- facturing process as a fertilizer, even though it contains dangerously high levels of cadmium and lead. The students were congratulated for their report by a couple of trustees, as well as Education Director Larry Langan. Langan credited St. Anne's staff advisor Erma Weernink for "making stu- dents aware of issues that are important to humankind." Students for Social Justice is now in its second year, with between 20- 25 members. They've been involved in such ini- tiatives as "Making Poverty asks board practices History" and pressuring Huron County to sign on to the United Nations water declaration defining clean water as a human right. South Huron trustee Mike Miller wondered why Coca Cola was cen- tred out, when it's quite possible other multinational corporations could be accused of similar trans- gressions. Devlaeminck responded that "we're focusing on one issue at a time, and Coca Cola is recognized as a major violator of human rights around the world." Brennrer added that the corpora- tion was high on a 2005 list of ques- tionable companies compiled by a group called Global Report. The students showed a list of over two dozen schools and universities which have passed or are in the process of developing bans on Coca Cola products. As for the Huron -Perth board, there seemed to be appreciation for the students' efforts but there was no immediate response to their request. RIO OPEN NTRY G CONTES "Sing Your Heart Out Onstage at Blyth!" Last Ca I Ito Register for Ontario's Open Country Singing Contest If you love country music, don't miss the am920 Ontario Open Country Singing Contest. The annual contest is hosted by the Blyth Festival from June 8-10, 2007. Singers from throughout the province compete in this professionally -produced annual music festival for the chance to win cash prizes, increase their profile and stage experi- ence, and perform in front of a live audience in a professional venue with a highly skilled band. Performance prizes up to $1,000 will be awarded in the Adult Male and Adult Female Categories. In the 18 and under category, teens have a chance to win up to $200 in either a male or female category and Youth 12 and under compete for cash prizes up to $100 in a karaoke competition. Generously Sponsored by: C am 2• ONANNUL For more information contact Amber Riehl at 1-877-862-5984, ext 211 www.ontariosingingcontest.com Susan Hundertmark photo Storyteller Bruce Carmody visited St. James School last week to give the gift of sto- ries to students of every grade.