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The
Millennium Development Goals represent perhaps the world's greatest
and most important experiment. Have the past 50 years' efforts made
a difference in ending poverty or improving lives around the world?
How about the past eight years? What's working, what isn't? OneWorld
has assembled an expert panel of those working in the field to answer
your questions.
To share your own thoughts about efforts to make poverty history,
click here or scroll to the bottom of this
page. |
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PANELISTS
o Shyama
Venkateswar, Mercy Corps/Net Aid
o Joel
Lamstein, John Snow, Inc.
o David
W. Kahler, World Education, Inc.
TOPICS
1.
The Big Picture
2.
What Can Be/Is Being Done
3. The United States' Role
Don't forget to add your thoughts at the bottom!
THE
BIG PICTURE
Are We Making a Difference?
Jeffrey
Allen, Denver, Colorado, USA: My
father-in-law likes to complain that they were giving money to UNICEF back
when he was a kid, but poverty is as entrenched today as it was then. Is
that really the case? Have we made any difference in people's lives over
the past 50 years? How about the past seven, since world leaders agreed
on the Millennium Development Goals?
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Shyama:
Poverty is not a monolithic social phenomenon, but a changing social problem
that manifests itself in different patterns, because of a variety of different
factors. For instance, it is not enough to classify the world into the
developing world, and developed. Even within these entities, there are
elements of extreme wealth residing simultaneously with poverty and deprivation.
The HIV/AIDS epidemics in Africa and Asia have contributed to a new wave
of poverty among women and children. Several studies have pointed to the
impact of pandemics on economic development in emerging economies like India
and China. More recently, issues relating to climate change have been linked
to food scarcity, decline in agricultural productivity, and the increase
in hunger.
Strategies for fighting poverty have changed; funding strategies are different
then they were 30 years ago; more development projects take on a comprehensive
approach.
The role of women's leadership, and keeping women central to any development
agenda is critical to fighting poverty.
Economy
vs. Environment
Kristiana
Kilvert: I live in a time when the economy exists within
society and society exists within the environment. The economy can not
exist without society and society can not exist without the environment.
However, the economy gets the most attention and precedence while the
environment comes last on the agenda.
Why won't government
bodies make environmental concerns a forefront problem?
Joel:
The
economy gets attention on the world's stage because the average citizen
and politician don't realize the connections you point out -- the interdependence
between the environment, its life-giving "services," good health
and human productivity, and a nation's wealth or economy. The environment
is considered a commodity by many, as something that can be transformed
or traded to enhance individual or communal wealth. Because Earth is resilient,
the negative effects and consequences of this have not been obvious to most
people until fairly recently.
Fortunately, the tide is turning. Various countries in Europe are setting
examples of how attention to the environment is critical to a sustainable,
healthy economy. In Africa, Madagascar's five-year development plan (Madagascar
Naturally) emphasizes biodiversity, conservation and sustainable resource-use
as keys to the country's overall economic growth. At the turn of the century,
a 'Millenium Ecosystem Assessment' involving more than 1,300 scientists
from 95 nations was conducted. It was sanctioned by (then) Secretary General
of the UN Kofi Annan, and 180 governments and provided the first truly comprehensive
picture of the health of our plant. That report and many other recent documents
(and films) are informing the public, including politicians, about how economic
health and general well-being are tightly linked to that of the environment.
Democratic governments must, in theory, ultimately respond to the people,
so if more and more citizens demand that environmental issues be addressed,
the environment will finally get the attention it deserves.
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Shyama:
The question cannot be framed as a choice between the environment and the
economy. In fact, the belief that industrialized countries are better stewards
of the environment is no longer relevant. The pace and intensity of industrialization
in developing countries, especially in India and China, necessitates a vision
of economic development that also incorporates responsible and environmentally
sustainable policies.
History
Says It Can't Be Done
jJack
Midknight:
Anyone that believes hunger, poverty, disease, etc., can be eradicated from
the planet, really doesn't have a very firm understanding of the history
of mankind, or the realities of human nature.
It is preposterous to even suggest such a thing.
Denny
B.: Yea
Jjack, it can't be done, so why try, huh?? After all, it's someone else
starving to death tonight, not us, huh ??
John
Beck: Seems
to me two things are fundamentally important in this.
ONE is the thought that humanity, globally, is a whole being, an organism.
You don't let your left leg get gangrene just because you've got another
leg. You don't ignore a kidney problem because it's not as important as
the heart or brain. Envisioning humanity as a whole global being -- well
we see that it's not in good shape in many ways. So how would it look if
everyone on the planet had the basic needs of a healthy life? Somebody start
showing us that picture.
TWO you must debunk
the old Thomas Malthus population-growth=starvation theory. As Buckminster
Fuller, a much greater thinker and systems scientist than Malthus, pointed
out already in the 1960s, IDEAS have liberated new resources from the Earth.
Every human being could be living well. But the old Malthus idea, embedded
into Anglo-American competitive and market-driven capitalism, leads to what
Fuller saw as the bottom line of our economic thinking: "Someone must
die."
Shyama:
Eradicating hunger and poverty is an achievable goal.
In many countries, the changing complex economic and political issues reinforce
the need for dynamic approaches to fighting poverty and hunger.
There is not one solution, but critical elements need to be incorporated:
governance, community-level participation, creating stakeholders, women's
leadership, sustainable economic policies, a comprehensive strategy rather
than a piece-meal approach, and set, measurable and quantifiable objectives.
Civilisation?
Mrinmoy
Das: Even after 7000 years of so-called civilization unfortunately
most welfare states sustained by arms but couldn't have any safe drinking
water to drink and arms are most likely to be used on their own people
to control. Why we need civil society and what's the deference between
ape and super ape? What about our next generation?
WHAT
CAN BE/IS BEING DONE
Everybody
Can Do Something
Johanny
Pérez:
I think poverty can be reduced from each individual action
humans do against this phenomenon. Politics and governments have an important
implication on it, but if everybody takes a part of the responsibility,
helping in the community, teaching freely to needed people if the person
is a teacher, or just giving what you most like or have in quantities, but
also asking from politics and other ANY ACTION to eradicate poverty.
Shyama:
Indeed Johanny, every action does count. As more and more people begin thinking
about the implications of all their social choices, slight behavioral modification
will translate into large social movements. It is imperative that we create
a new generation of socially aware, engaged, global citizens who have multilateralist
sensibilities and approach to solving critical global issues.
Grassroots
Groups Are Key to Eradicating Poverty
Gerard
Fana Muzala:
Yes poverty can be eradicated if organizations can work with
grass roots groups directly by sustaining their efforts instead of concentrating
on people that doesn't even consider the very need of people but looking
at their own needs.
There must be a deep change of methods. Thanks.
Shyama:
In many cases, poverty does not exist in a vacuum. Organizations that consider
the root causes of poverty and work locally to support people are making
great strides in the global fight against poverty and hunger. Creating local
stakeholders, and involving local participation in decision making is key
to long-term development strategies.
Where
Governments (And Others) Are the Problem
Bill's
Spirit, Johnstown, Ohio, USA:
How do you propose to end hunger and poverty in areas where
gangs and government prevent aid from reaching those who need it the most?
Shyama:
Every conflict in the world creates an urgent humanitarian problem - increase
in refugees and internally displaced peoples, food, shelter, medicine.
In almost all conflict zones in the world, there are aid workers and medical
personnel who by sheer virtue of their profession have to be non-partisan
and working to help individuals in need. The best kind of aid work is one
that addresses immediate needs, but then also helps to develop long-term
productive societies.
Economic
Growth vs. Environmental Pollution
Bill's
Spirit, Johnstown, Ohio, USA:
What programs or policies do you put in place to insure that
stimulating businesses in poverty stricken areas will not lead to increased
industrial pollutions, toxins or hazardous working conditions?
Joel:
Stimulating
necessary business activity in poverty-stricken areas is critical to long-term
economic health -- and thus overall health -- of poor communities. The first
approach of any successful business stimulus package is a dialogue with
the key industry leaders who are likely to make investments.
Effective policies and programs that ensure 'clean' industry start with
strong relationships among stakeholders -- government, community, and business
among them -- to sort out the concerns, interests, and obstacles of the
endeavor. All the great policies and programs in the world don't mean a
thing if they aren't embraced and owned by the leaders and institutions
that are accountable for their execution.
While less polluting than some forms of economic development, healthcare
can present occupational and community exposure. At JSI, we look for opportunities
to incorporate environmental and occupational health into our work on healthcare
systems, typically looking at initiatives with local communities instead
of top-down approaches. Once communities are engaged and committed, they
can make tremendous strides. JSI staff also provide training for professionals,
such as helping to establish an occupational health department in a South
African medical school, convening occupational health researchers and union
members in Eastern Europe conferences, and providing trainings for health
care providers in the U.S. For interesting case studies and guidance on
development, visit the Cadmus
Group Web pages on Environmentally Sound Design and Management in Africa
for AID projects
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Shyama:
International NGOs such as Mercy Corps ensure that modern sustainable development
methods are incorporated into local programming, such as helping local farmers
in Guatemala grow organic foods to sell in local and national markets.
There is an urgent need for developing international, regional and local
regulatory bodies that enforce environmental and labor standards.
Independent judiciaries, the establishment of rule of law, and citizens'
access to due process are also key elements to monitor compliance by businesses.
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David:
Toxic contamination and general environmental degradation
can cause serious individual harm and also place severe limits on economic
development. On the other hand, a wealth of economic growth potential exists
in the field of environmental protection and sustainable production itself.
World Education has found that, rather than government top-down approaches,
solutions lie in working with community members directly to jointly explore
business development that is safe and sustainable. In Indonesia and several
other parts of Asia we have established Farmer Field Schools in Integrated
Pest Management where farmers conduct their own experiments in their own
rice paddies to learn the benefits of sustainable agriculture. They become
farmer trainers who hold sessions for their neighbors and other interested
farmers. To date, several hundreds of thousands of Indonesian farmers have
become proficient in managing their crops with less chemical inputs and
have decreased the use of harmful pesticides dramatically. In South India
we have used similar farmer training techniques to great success to protect
local water supplies and prevent conflict over scarce water resources.
In Africa and Asia, we have found that quality education and employment
training are essential to help youth who are at great risk of engaging in
the most severe forms of work, from the sexual trades to dump site mining,
to obtain much better opportunities. As in our other work it is local leadership
of families and communities that makes these efforts successful.
What
About Natural Medicines?
Jennifer
Chesworth:
At the time of the Health For All initiative (Declaration
of Alma Ata) WHO seemed to feel that since 80% of the global population
still relies on traditional medicine (including herbal medicine) for primary
health care, that global health initiatives should include research into
the efficacy of traditional medicine, along with promotion and increased
accessibility to traditional medicine. Now the Millennium Development
Goals make no reference whatsoever to traditional medicine, and in fact
state that "in cooperation with pharmaceutical companies," needed
drugs must be provided to the poor.
This seems like it must be a result of pressure from commercial interests
and/or funding sources tied to commercial pharmaceutical interests. Why
has the Health For All initiative become the Drugs For All initiative?
This is not to say that pharmaceuticals have no place, of course they
do. But so do natural medicines!
Shyama:
Undoubtedly,
more research needs to be done on traditional medicine. This is a vast and
still relatively unknown realm with opportunities for greater prosperity
and increased health of communities across the globe.
But that until that happens, there are fundamental healthcare questions
that need to be addressed: infant mortality, maternal mortality and access
to reproductive healthcare, pandemics, etc. These are problems that can
be addressed head-on by sound public policy. The obstacles that remain are
the lack of governance and political will, funding resources, and education.
The MDGs have to tackle these realities in its approach.
Vitamin
A - Its Hopes and Consequences
Narayan
deVera, M.D.:
Reducing high mortality rates by 2012 - this is possible by
correctly structuring the MDGs. Combining hunger and poverty into one goal
creates an error in the correct medical approach for reducing high mortality.
Measles, pneumonia, dysentery, malaria, neonatal disorders as causes of
death in children are only secondary statistics. The meaningful, primary
statistic, and the chief cause for high childhood mortality and high maternal
mortality is vitamin A deficiency. Without sufficient vitamin A, the body
will die from some infection. Absent a serious infection, vitamin A deficiency
leads to "night blindness"; then tiny white spots (Bitot's spots)
appear on the surface of the corneas. These spots enlarge and eventually
ulcerate allowing infection to enter the globe of the eye and penetrate
into the brain. From the onset of Bitot's spots to demise takes about one
year.
If vitamin A were identified as the true and underlying cause of high mortality
in women and children, then the targets for reduction could be achieved
or exceeded by the year 2012, using an African plant from Madagascar which
produces vitamin A better than carrots, Kalanchoe daigremontiana bryophyllum.
However, a bigger challenge will present itself after the African continent
becomes self sufficient in vitamin A. Spontaneous abortion will be greatly
reduced, as well as maternal mortality and child mortality, leading to a
threefold increase in the number of people living in extreme poverty. Because
civil society, government, and big banking institutions are not prepared
to handle a threefold increase in poverty, the mothers and children are
allowed to perish. My question to the panel is, "Why has the importance
and necessity of vitamin A been neglected?"
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Shyama:
The real problem that you identify is one of delivery systems. The lack
of effective governance, and viable healthcare institutions make it difficult
for already vulnerable populations to access the most basic services.
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Joel:
Currently, 127 million preschool children and 7 million
pregnant women in the world are vitamin A deficient. (Reference: Helen
Keller International Web site). Hundreds of thousands of children go
blind each year due to a lack of vitamin A, and others suffer ill effects
on their growth and development due to the lack of vitamin A and other nutrients.
Most of these women and children live in some of the poorest countries in
Asia and Africa. Their status, as women, while improving, is low and their
needs are easily ignored as their importance in society is undervalued.
Many have no access to education and they are the members of the population
who have the least opportunity to speak out for themselves to demand better
nutrition and other essential services.
Among the scientific community in some countries, there has also been reluctance
to accept that semi-annual vitamin A supplementation for children is a good
short- to medium-term strategy for saving lives and decreasing the risk
of multiple infections. They consider vitamin A capsules to be a "magic
bullet" approach that has a detrimental effect on the longer-term strategies
of education and access to good, sufficient food, for improving overall
nutritional status. As a result, full commitment for supplementation programs
has been lacking in some Ministries of Health.
While the importance of vitamin A in some countries may be marginalized,
the distribution of high-dose vitamin A capsules has averted at least 1
million child deaths since 1998. In Nepal, for example, successful large-scale
programs have been implemented by the Ministry of Health with donor and
partner support -- including JSI's -- to provide vitamin A supplements to
all children 6-59 months semiannually. This program is linked with nutrition
education and longer-term strategies to improve the overall health and well
being of poor children, and has likely played a large part in Nepal's reduction
in under-5 mortality.
Social
Entrepreneurs
Fanny
Fanou-Ako:
What can we do to eradicate effectively global poverty? What
methods social entrepreneurs must use to effect a real social change?
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David:
Nearly half the world's population -- three billion people
-- live on less than $2 a day. Global poverty is a result of a confluence
of factors, many of which are out of our control, unfortunately, such as
naturally harsh climates, lack of natural resources, and cyclical wars.
What can we do to 'effectively' eradiate global poverty? It is inspiring
to see so many people interested in this question. There are no simple answers,
but I think it starts with asking people what they need and then helping
them acquire the tools, support and confidence to act on their own behalf.
All too often, 'solutions' are devised and executed by well-intentioned
people, but not in consultation with the very people they are trying to
help. Mobilizing people at the community level is key to sustaining efforts
to overcome poverty. These community efforts must then be linked with local,
regional, national, and international policy makers so that policy reflects
real conditions on the ground.
What should social entrepreneurs do to create real change? Effective social
entrepreneurs combine passion and vision with strategy. Helping bring about
positive change in the world -- and sustaining that change -- requires discipline,
diligence, and strong strategic thinking coupled with strong grassroots
initiatives. Social entrepreneurs must be willing to balance the tension
between taking the time necessary to understand what works, how it works
and why it works in a particular setting and the pressures to scale up new
initiatives.
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Shyama:
The global eradication of poverty does not have one solution, but has to
be viewed as a comprehensive approach.
Sustained hand-outs will not eradicate global poverty. Nor will an ad-hoc
strategy that targets for instance, education over healthcare. Building
stakeholders, involving local participation in decision making, empowering
women into leadership positions will help to build sustained capacity. Social
entrepreneurs must look at a long-term development plan for the community
as a whole -- water, schools, education, women's leadership, healthcare,
infrastructure -- for effective social change.
Micro-Neglect?
Kyle
Strand: It seems that a current trend in Microfinance
is to place financial sustainability as the organizational focus, and
this is labeled a best practice. There are a number of cases (think Latin
America) where this results in an (slight) upmarket swing, placing credit
out of reach for the very poor. Yet, since sustainability is a 'best practice'
MFIs are compelled to place it as a priority. It seems to me that government
or donor subsidized credit has as large a potential for impact as many
development projects which are subsidized, but receive relatively little
criticism.
How can a distinction
be made, and accepted by the larger development and finance communities,
which allows MFIs targeting the poorest market segment to operate with
subsidies, sans being accused of ignoring best practices? In addition
to a financially sustainable microfinance industry, could we accept a
microfinance development industry - both with different target populations?
The microfinance market is not homogeneous, yet is often treated as such.
How
Do We Inspire the Apathetic?
Kristiana
Kilvert:
I find that while trying to gather an audience of those
concerned or interested in creating a more sustainable planet, I am already
talking to the converted. How do we capture the attention and create genuine
concern amongst the apathetic?
Shyama:
The issues speak for themselves. By effectively engaging the world and encouraging
the idea of global-citizenship, we can effect positive change. Youth are
a key target. They are tomorrow's leaders, and must start thinking of themselves
as part of a larger community. Every small action counts -- in your neighborhood,
schools, youth forums, social networking opportunities, etc.
Joel:
Many groups and individual speak of the frustration of 'preaching
to the converted', but I believe we're seeing a growing interest among youth.
In particular we've seen
an interest in public health and other development-focused areas among those
going to graduate school here in the U.S. International development organizations
like JSI are also seeing more young people applying for jobs and internships.
And most intriguing, I think, we're seeing more innovative and compelling
uses of new media -- such as One World and YouTube to inform and inspire.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=1Fzt4Q9VCpc?
Where
Are The Wealthy?
Rosa
See Ya:
Doesn't
Bill Gates have enough money by now to end hunger all by himself? He just
added another kitchen to (or should I say away from) his Montana mansion
because he can't stand the smell of food cooking. Just think what he could
do if he couldn't stand the sight of people starving. The wealthy of the
world could ALL stop this, but it's not very profitable for them, so they
do software instead.
Geesh!
Daniel
A.: Rosa: Bill Gates is the world's largest philanthropist
(with the exception of Warren Buffet, but Bill Gates still has loads of
money that he has and probably will donate). Plus his philanthropy gets
more results per dollar than any other organization because it has enough
money to wield significant power and the fact that his foundation is run
like a business, so efforts that are doing little get scrapped for more
effective ventures. etc.
Joel:
If money were the answer
to global poverty, we could end it tomorrow. Unfortunately, ending global
poverty is just not that simple. That said, it is easy to become disillusioned
with the vast difference in the distribution of resources between the haves
and the have-nots and that's what drives a lot of us to want to make a difference.
How much is enough and who decides? The thorny issues surrounding wealth
and poverty are cause for passionate debate and rightly so. People like
Bill Gates have put global poverty on the public agenda in a way that has
generated tremendous interest and attention to a long-neglected issue that
affects us all. People of wealth and status are like all of us: they are
motivated by what moves them. In this country, we've seen a growing trend
of wealthy people who are very involved in philanthropy both in the US and
around the world. It's encouraging to see this level of interest and it's
our job to cultivate it.
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Shyama:
As Daniel points out, Bill Gates is one of the world's largest philanthropists
whose work on AIDS, Malaria, TB continues to have a global reach. The impact
of this new wave of philanthropy is promising and I believe we should be
optimistic about its potential to effect change. However, philanthropists
are only one element in pushing for change. Governments, civil society,
and other multilateral donors are other key actors to this process.
People
Power
Jeffrey
Allen, Denver, Colorado, USA: Do mass mobilizations like
Oct 17's "Stand Up and Speak Out" change anything?
Shyama:
It is critical to remember that mass mobilizations create many positive
changes that are not immediately quantifiable. Yet, what it demonstrates
is the power of people, the demand for greater transparency and accountability
on the part of our leaders, social and political consciousness and other
important elements of a participatory process. Mass mobilizations, as history
has shown us, has indeed created change.
Population
Pressures?
Daniel
A.: I
know that one of the reasons why there is so much hunger/poverty/war/environmental
degradation in many countries is due to an extremely high birth rate, which
causes an explosion of youths who often have no means of feeding themselves
and often have no parents.
Is there any effort
to reduce the birthrate in a lot of these perpetually poverty-stricken
nations? Does our efforts in things like child immunization perpetuating
the problem by expanding the youth population that can't sustain them
as it is?
Shyama:
This is a contentious issue, placing the onus of birthrates on already vulnerable
populations. In many countries, multiple children are needed in households,
especially those that depend on agriculture. If you think about it, war,
unsustainable consumption patterns and energy usage, pollution may have
loci outside poverty-stricken nations. Child immunization actually makes
for more productive and healthier economies. High birth rates per se are
not the problem especially because birth rates have been declining all over
the world, in industrialized and developing countries alike.
Joel:
While it is true that
many countries where there is severe poverty, environmental destruction,
and war are often the same countries that where there high birth rates,
the relationship between poverty and birth rates, is complicated and not
at all static.
In Bangladesh, for example, most couples now have only 2 or 3 children,
compared to 7 or 8 children 30 years ago, but poverty and unemployment are
still widespread. As in many poor countries, improved child survival led
to couples having fewer children. When parents are reasonably sure that
a baby will survive to adulthood, they have fewer babies. And improving
immunization of young children is a great way to keep children healthy,
reduce birth rates, and in the long term, reduce poverty.
Getting
Food Where It's Needed
Jean
Burks, Pahrump, Nevada, USA: There is enough food on earth
right now to feed everyone. The major problem is distribution. Getting food
from one place to another quickly. Grocers would give more food if the laws
were changed to protect the contributors. As the law reads now the stores
can be sued for any foods that they donate.
The
Consequences of Biofuels
David
A.: I am interested in the panel's viewpoints on the sudden
push to replace dependency on non-renewable fossil fuels with food-crop
based fuels. Will corn, sugar cane, and other crops that are now economically
competitive with the high price of oil be going into cars and other equipment
rather than being used for food for the hungry? What should the response
of economically hurting but environmentally conscience folks be?
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Shyama:
There are nuances and many sides to this complex problem. On one hand, the
use of food-crop based fuels is better for the environment, it creates less
dependency on non-renewable fossil fuels. But the flip side is that it causes
the prices of staple commodities to rise, thus creating food insecurity
in vulnerable populations. Also, increasing tracts of land for food-crop
based fuels will cause a sudden drop in prices for the product (note recently
the decrease in price of corn for ethanol), thereby increasing the governments'
likelihood for subsidies to farmers, especially in the United States, which
other governments in the developing world may not be able to afford to do.
In order for you to
make an educated response, the issues that need to be understood are the
following: the nature of energy usage and consumption patterns worldwide,
fair trade, sustainable livelihoods for farmers, and equity in food distribution.
Global
Hunger
carolion
grailbear: When I think of hunger I think of:
SOIL FERTILITY / sewage composting initiatives
WATER / graywater recycling, as well as sewage marsh water purification
systems initiatives
TREE CROPS / reforestation initiatives which also assist underground water
flows, topsoil retention, and above-ground water purification
Please comment on
your perception of the effects of such initiatives on global hunger. Every
little bit counts -- and I know that warmongering and desertification/earth
poisoning go together -- but I'm most interested in any studies which
might demonstrate an increase in creativity and social encouragement AND
better nutrition, as an effect of earth-healing/water purification/reforestation
efforts.
Shyama:
Many international and local non-profit organizations are working to address
the issues you raise. However, despite the progress made in increasing soil
fertility, recycling water and combating deforestation, until
stewardship of the environment becomes an integral part of communities',
businesses' and governments' relationship with the natural environment,
the ability of our generation to end hunger will face many challenges.
In
the USA
Bill's
Spirit, Johnstown, Ohio, USA:
What
types of projects, or focus, are placed, or used, for ending hunger and
poverty in the USA?
Baby
Boomers
Raven
Spirit Knowing: How can we harness the power of retiring
baby boomers and get them involved in some of the day to day footwork in
making these initiatives come to pass.
Shyama:
Many retired people volunteer locally and doing so, provide a useful social
value to the communities in which they live while also helping themselves
stay health and socially active.
Organizations such as the Peace Corps, VSO and UNV offer retired professionals
the possibility of getting involved internationally.
Workers
Rights
Devin
Barber, Spokane Valley, Washington, USA: Question for the
panel...
I have been crusading
for fairer compensation for workers for some time. As a Liberal I believe
that governments CAN play a larger role in this effort. But I also believe
the biggest change that needs to take place is a change in attitudes of
corporations and business owners who see workers as a liability rather
than an asset.
What measures are
you looking at to accomplish this?
THE
UNITED STATES' ROLE
U.S.
Not a Leader
Genine
Hopkins: I agree with the comment about distribution being
a major problem. Another point was made about converting food sources to
fuel sources. Both are issues. The U.S. is not a world leader when it comes
to minimizing or eliminating poverty. We have meager means tested assistance
that supplies the bare minimum. We have the highest infant mortality rate
of any industrial nation and the wealth distribution is vastly uneven, our
GINI is again one of the lowest for an industrial nation. We have major
issues to tackle at home, so it seems no real surprise that we are not leaders
in finding real solutions for the world hunger issue.
Shyama:
It is indeed possible to tackle both the issues at home and abroad simultaneously
by thinking creatively. In the 21st century, there are increasingly international
dimensions to seemingly local problems. The solutions have to be multisectoral
and comprehensive in their approach just as you outline them.
Here
at Home First
Breandea
M.: How do you end poverty and hunger, worldwide, when domestic
poverty and hunger are so widespread?
Although I support
any attempt to do so, I also think we should clean up our own backyard
first.
Shyama:
The fight against hunger is indeed a domestic and international issue. Hunger
is not exclusive to developing countries or regions facing disasters. The
root causes of world hunger are relevant in developed countries as well,
including the United States.
U.S.
in the World
Deb
A.: The United States is despised globally yet we'll be
the nation depended upon to end poverty and hunger? I hate you but give
me your love. Weird concept.
jJack
Midknight:
I think I'll check out more of this person's comments. HURRAY ! ! ! !
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