Conflict Diamonds & The Kimberely Process

Standard: AP Human Geography IV. Political Organization of Space, B. Spatial political patterns reflect ideas of territoriality and power at a variety of scales.


Objective: Jedi will be able to explain what conflict diamonds are and how they lead to the Kimberely Process.

1. Get out book, planner, 2 flashcards.
2. Write down Homework.
• Read
• Study for Benchmark 2 (South America, Asia and Europe)
3. New Vocabulary
1. Conflict diamonds (aka Blood Diamonds):  Diamonds mined in area of state vs. state violence or rebel vs. state violence, that are sold on the "black market", (an underground or shadow economy where illegal transactions take place) in order to finance weapons. These diamonds are sometimes referred to as "blood diamonds." Conflict diamonds do not include other definitions of violence/abuse such as environmental degradation (ruin), child labor, worker abuse and/or state-sanctioned (government-perpetrated) violence. 
2. Kimberley Process: The Kimberley Process started in 2000 when African countries met in Kimberley South Africa. Under pressure from the United Nations, corporations in the diamond industry working with countries and non-governmental organization created a voluntary membership with strict requirements on its members meant to stop the trade in ‘conflict diamonds' that was financing violence. Members of the KP use a strict process to certify shipments of rough diamonds as ‘conflict-free' in order stop conflict diamonds from entering the legal trade and being sold in public jewelry stores. Membership is open to all countries that are willing and able to implement its requirements. The KP currently has 54 participants, representing 81 countries.