BEHIND THE HEADLINES

Myth: Human rights abuses, earthquakes and subway gassings are the only significant events that occur in Asia. Canadians club seals, are fur-trappers and challenge Spanish trawlers in international waters on a regular basis. Canada is also defined by the flooding of the Saguenay River and its ongoing internal struggle with the French-speaking province, Quebec.

Reality: People sometimes get a distorted picture of the world if they rely solely on local media. That's because editors and reporters generally like to focus on tension and disaster stories which they see as more exciting and interesting than normal everyday stories.

Myth: If you outlaw child labour, you will eliminate the problem.

Reality: Many people do not understand that child workers tend to come from extremely poor, rural areas with few opportunities. Children leave for the city hoping to send money back home to their parents and other family members. Uneducated, with limited skills, they face few options in the city. Their choices can include selling drugs, prostituting themselves or working in industries, such as carpet factories that may be considered below standard from a western perspective. Which option would you choose?

Myth: When Canada refuses to trade with an Asian country because of human rights abuses, that country will stop those abuses soon after.

Reality: If Canada decides to stop trading on its own without the cooperation of the rest of the countries in the world, then the impact will be very small. Another concern to keep in mind is that sanctions usually hurt the poorest people in the country rather than those who commit the abuses. Again, the issue is never as clear cut as it appears in the news.