What does sexuality have to do with international financial institutions? Well, nothing really many would say, unless you attended a performance of "The Dictatorship of Debt" a cabaret-dinner theater performance that makes the IMF a transgendered madame who pulls the strings of her employees.
Laen Hershler, the play's director, says this is indicative of "how the IMF is a transformative organization" that "assumes a passive role in asserting that its mandate is to simply help with development work, yet it is also extremely aggressive in imposing conditionality upon the countries that it lends to."
Jenny Woo, McGill Daily culture writer, writes that playing with sexuality is used less for a titular purpose, but more so to depict the "the policies of the organization [as] complex and multi-leveled."
Regardless of how interesting your political economy class was last semester, there is no doubt that a 1930s-style cabaret featuring the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as a trans madam is a much racier way to learn about developing world debt. The history of colonization and international financial institutions may not seem to be particularly sexy; in fact, it may seem completely absurd that a presentation about world debt could take the form of a smoky, seductive cabaret at all. At least, that was my thought when I was first invited to attend a dress rehearsal of "The Dictatorship of Debt."
OK. So, you're too late to see the show, it's run ended in April, but you can still read the full review by Woo.
Personally, I think the play can be useful to draw people who may not be involved in any movements to end global poverty or, perhaps, may not know the ways in which debt connects to other issues including AIDS/HIV funding, healthcare, education, and sustainable development.
Activists can take a cue from Hershler and use art to illustrate issues like debt cancellation and economic justice.
Debt financing especially for the poor countries has been increasingly high. If only the Donor countries could change their style of helping the developing nations,it would be great. I believe time is nigh that they should be offering material support to leaders since they have proven unfit to handle financial support which they only use for their personal gains. It would therefore be wise for the rich nations and individuals to give the finacial help to individuals if not groups who have shown their willingness to promote and contribute to the development of their Countries. This will in turn make it easy for the donors to minimize their funding to countries since most of the citizens will be in a position to support themselves in terms of resources.
Businesses will be established,infrastructure will be improved and the youth will be creative and constructive and thus there will be less to minimal cases of drug abuse,thuggery etc. In a show of leadership,I would like to champion drastic development inmy coutry and help most of my fellow youth realise their potential. I therefore reach out to the Billionares and Millionares around the world,to help finance my success dream with the sum of One Million Dollars or more.This will by no means contribute greatlly to this mission and spread the kind of message desired to attain the millenium goals. I can be linked through my address which is biggmosh@yahoo.com for comments and sugestions. Thank you all.
Posted by: owen | 25 June 2007 at 10:43 AM