| Diamonds are small, easily transportable | | | | diamond industry has introduced a system |
| and command high prices. These | | | | to help give greater assurances to |
| characteristics have made diamonds a | | | | retailers and to provide consumers with |
| good source of funds for coup leaders in | | | | the reassurance that their diamond is |
| Africa and elsewhere. These smuggled | | | | from a conflict free source. |
| diamonds have been labeled "conflict | | | | Diamonds and Development |
| diamonds" and many consumers are wary | | | | Like the gold that is used in gold |
| about using a product that they think | | | | jewelry, diamonds are driving economic |
| may be related to the suffering of | | | | growth and prosperity in many countries |
| innocent people. | | | | around the world. |
| However, before you skip buying diamonds | | | | An estimated 65% of the world's diamonds |
| it is important to understand the | | | | come from African countries and |
| safe-guards that have been adopted by | | | | approximately $8.4 billion worth of |
| the UN and the actual role that diamonds | | | | diamonds a year are exported from |
| play in the economic life of the | | | | Africa. An estimated five million |
| developing countries. | | | | people have access to appropriate |
| In 2000, a coalition of governments, | | | | healthcare globally thanks to revenues |
| non-governmental organizations and the | | | | from diamonds and an estimated 10 |
| diamond industry worked together to | | | | million people globally are directly or |
| address issues related to diamond | | | | indirectly supported by the diamond |
| mining. In 2002, established they | | | | industry. |
| established the Kimberley Process | | | | The diamond mining industry generates |
| Certification System. This is a | | | | over 40% of Namibia's annual export |
| UN-backed process that virtually | | | | earnings and diamond revenues enable |
| eliminated the trade in conflict | | | | every child in Botswana to receive free |
| diamonds. Over 99% of the world's supply | | | | education up to the age of 13. Diamonds |
| of diamonds is now from conflict-free | | | | account for 33% of the GDP |
| sources. In addition the Kimberley | | | | (approximately $3 billion) of Botswana. |
| Process Certification System is | | | | Since diamonds were discovered in |
| dedicated to presenting the facts about | | | | Botswana, GDP annual growth rate has |
| conflict diamonds. | | | | averaged 7%. In addition, the revenue |
| Conflict diamonds have been reduced from | | | | from diamonds is instrumental in the |
| approximately 4% to considerably less | | | | fight against the HIV/AIDS pandemic. |
| than 1% since the implementation of the | | | | Besides the mechanized diamond mining |
| Kimberley Process in 2003. In July 2000, | | | | activities in Africa, it is estimated |
| the global diamond industry announced | | | | that one million people work in the |
| its zero-tolerance policy towards | | | | informal alluvial diamond digging |
| conflict diamonds and continues to drive | | | | sector. The Diamond Development |
| this policy. For example, Sierra Leone | | | | Initiative was established to improve |
| is now at peace and exported | | | | the working conditions of these |
| approximately $142 million diamonds in | | | | artisanal miners. |
| 2005. | | | | The major role of diamond mining in |
| More than 99% of diamonds are currently | | | | several African countries has been |
| from conflict free sources and traded | | | | pointed out by several world leaders - |
| under the UN-mandated Kimberley Process. | | | | including Nelson Mandela - who have |
| Under this system, rough diamonds can | | | | cited the importance of diamonds to the |
| only be exported and imported when | | | | lives of African people. |
| accompanied by a certificate from the | | | | So, the next time you are buying jewelry |
| exporting country. | | | | you can be sure that your diamond is not |
| At this moment, 71 governments and the | | | | only conflict-free but is helping the |
| legitimate diamond industry are all | | | | poorest economies of the world get back |
| committed and legally bound to | | | | on their feet. |
| eradicating conflict diamonds. The | | | | |