APK: Activation of Prior Knowledge Answer these two questions: Why do you think people say we are lucky to be living in America? What sorts of opportunities are Americans supposed to have that others don’t? Question of the Day Do you think living in America is really all its “cracked up to be?”

The Luckiest nut in the world http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtlYyuJjACw Why does the nut think he’s so lucky? What is trade liberalization? How does a country “maximize its productivity”? How did the World Bank contribute to Senegal? What happened as more countries produced ground nuts? What did Senegal have to do to “keep their head above water”? How did trade liberalization affect Senegal? How did the US government help the peanut industry? What is the peanut industry like today? According to the video, why is free trade “just nuts”?

If it were my home http://www.ifitweremyhome.com Compare life in the US to… Haiti Mexico 3 other countries of our choice! What countries do you want to see?

Which trade organization is which? Looking at your sheet, try to guess which description matches which organization name by writing the number in the “organization” box: European Union (EU) World Trade Organization (WTO) United Nations (UN) International Monetary Fund (IMF) North American Free Trade Alliance (NAFTA)

CORRECT ANSWERS: World Trade Organization (WTO) International Monetary Fund (IMF) European Union (EU) North American Free Trade Alliance (NAFTA) United Nations (UN) Now fill in the “in your words” column by rewriting the definitions in your own words. We will look at pros and cons together!

Analyze the map: Is it fair?

WHY DO YOU THINK HAITI GETS SO MUCH OF ITS RICE FROM THE US? These pictures were taken in Haiti. Haiti has one of the best climates for growing rice in the world. Why are these pictures so surprising? WHY DO YOU THINK HAITI GETS SO MUCH OF ITS RICE FROM THE US?

The situation in haiti http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSWJmq4XC2s http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wHiYkcm- Ro&feature=related As you are watching, think about: How would you describe the situation in Haiti? What do you think could be done to improve Haiti’s situation? Do you think other countries are helping Haiti successfully? Why or why not? Did the money loaned to Haiti from the IMF actually help?

IMF proposal to help haiti THE BACKGROUND: Haiti’s most important crop is rice. Rice is the best income source for people living in Haiti and the best food source for people living all over Haiti. Haiti currently produces 170,000 tons of rice per year, which meets 95% of its people’s needs. As of right now, Haiti does not have to import much rice, and many of its people work as rice farmers in Artibonite Valley, where generations of Haitians have farmed. While Haiti does provide a lot of its own rice, it is still a poor nation that is in extreme debt. Right now, Haiti is facing a crisis. In order to provide services for its people such as education and healthcare, Haiti needs more money, which can only come in the form of a loan from the IMF. Here are the conditions the IMF says Haiti must follow if they receive the loan: Haiti must embrace free trade by removing tariffs on all imports (including those that come from the United States). Haiti must lower its government subsidies (aid) to rice farmers in the Artibonite Valley. Haiti must cut public spending by closing inefficient public enterprises (ex. schools, hospitals, postal services, etc). Haiti will be charged a 1% interest rate on the loan every year.