Siena hosts globalization conference

The Franciscan Friars of the Holy Name Province gathered last week at Siena College in Loudonville for a special assembly on globalization's impact on the economy, community and parish life.

The Province's Justice and Peace Directorate voted two years ago to hold the assembly so that friars could become conscious on a deeper level about how globalization affects everyone, particularly people in Third World countries.

A total of 425 friars and lay ministers attended the four-day assembly, June 9-12, which included keynote talks, workshops and discussions of ministerial experience.

Opening remarks

During his opening address to the group, Rev. Kevin Mackin, OFM, president of Siena, pointed out the effects of globalization on something as basic as an American fast-food meal.

"The cheeseburger, with accompanying french fries and cola, originated without a single crop native to the U.S.," he noted. "According to a description I found, it has beef and cheese from Europe, bread from the Middle East, ketchup from Southeast Asia, tomatoes from Mexico, sugar from India, kola nuts from Africa, potatoes from Peru, and onions and pickles from just about everywhere."

He also noted that many Siena students who engage in studies abroad or take part in Franciscan internships serving the poor say such experiences open their eyes to how other people live.

Workshops

Two economics professors from the college, Richard Shirey and James Booker, were among the many workshop facilitators. Their presentation dealt with the economic impact of globalization.

"We want to help participants understand some of the economic trends in the world economy, and how they effect individuals and families, especially those in developing countries," Dr. Shirey told The Evangelist before his presentation. "From an international perspective, we are seeing a phenomenal movement of populations from rural to urban settings. This has a tremendous impact on the labor force."

He said that half of the labor force in urban populations in Third World countries is part of what is known as the "informal economy" -- people who work at non-skilled jobs wherever and whenever they can. Half of the workforce in rural areas in those countries is either unemployed or works at part-time jobs.

"This affects everyone because, within ten years, we are looking at providing jobs for 500 million people," he said.

Working families

Dr. Booker, addressing the impact of globalization on individuals and families in the U.S., identified factors that have impacted working families in the past ten years, such as technology, immigration, and the decline of such mainstays as unions and minimum-wage laws.

"Several factors have contributed to little or no economic growth for a significant number of individuals and families, particularly among the poor," he said, listing the rapid rate of immigration over the past decade, an increase in the number of unskilled laborers, and the number of textile and electronics companies that have taken jobs overseas where cheap labor provides them with a larger profit.

Other workshops included discussions on hunger and food, racism, poverty, employment, human rights, housing, health, peacemaking, and community in a multi-cultural Church.

"I firmly believe that if we are to remain relevant to the people in our ministries and in our world, we must understand and find ways to bring a Franciscan spirit to globalization," said Rev. John Felice, OFM, assembly presider, and Siena College trustee.

(Coincidentally, Siena's School of Science recently received grants totaling $150,000, the largest amount ever received from federal sources by the college. The grants, from the U. S. Department of Education and the National Science Foundation, will be used to develop the College's minor in globalization studies, which includes courses in economics, international business, languages, music, political science, religious studies and sociology.)

(6/17/04)