10 ways diamonds are shining a light and working to improve the world.
1. It is estimated that on a global scale 5 million people have access to appropriate healthcare thanks to revenues from diamonds.
2. Since the implementation of the Kimberley Process in 2003, conflict diamonds have been reduced from approximately 4% to less than 1%.
3. Diamond revenues enable every child (under the age of 13) in Botswana to receive free education.
4. At the 2007 Kimberley Process Plenary, the industry committed funds and resources to address challenges face by countries with a high prevalence of artisanal alluvial mining.
5. An estimated 10 million people globally are either directly or indirectly supported by the diamond industry.
6. The revenue from diamonds is instrumental in the fight against the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
7. The charity ‘Jewelers for Children’ funds a community based care program for orphaned children in
South Africa.
8. 74 governments and the legitimate diamond industry are all committed and legally bound to eradicating conflict diamonds.
9. More than 99% of diamonds are now from conflict free sources and traded under the UN-mandated Kimberley Process.
10. Diamonds account for 33% of the GDP (approximately $3.3 billion) of Botswana. The year before diamonds were discovered in Botswana their GDP annual growth rate averaged 7%.