The Borgen Project

Green Institutions Necessary for Sustainable Development

2012-01-31T15:58:00.000-08:00

Today, the President of the General Assembly Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser said that in order to sustain sustainable development, reform of environmental institutions is a necessity. Sustainable development is dependent on strong institutions and decision-making processes at local, national, regional and global levels.

Mr. Al-Nasser highlights the fact that Rio+ 20 is an opportunity to create new mechanisms that ensure environmental mandates are carried out. This will require the full support of member states. Mr.Al Nasser stated that, "There is no doubt that the success of our efforts will require longer-term vision, as well as the genuine willingness of Member States to preserve our planet for future generations to enjoy in dignity."

-Akshika Patel

SOURCE:UN News Centre

Vaccinating the Children of Haiti

2012-01-30T17:35:00.000-08:00

One of the biggest killer of Hatian children isn't an earthquake, its disease. However, 30 percent of newborns are not protected against tetanus and only 59 percent of 5 year olds are immunized against polio or measles, as according to 2009 statistics. Thankfully UNICEF has established hundreds of clinics that give routine immunizations that protect from polio, diphtheria, tetanus and measles-rubella.

UNICE has created the Reach Every District program, RED, to ensure every child in Haiti is immunized. This initiative hopes to provide resources to target populations. RED is actively providing assistance to 36 communities which have the lowest vaccine coverage. The RED program has been shown to work, with visible results, in Africa.

In cooperation with the Haitian government, the World Health Organization (WHO), and other partners, UNICEF holds vaccination days. Each vaccination costs approximately US$7-20. UNICEF and the WHO are looking to partner with the Global Alliance on Vaccination and Immunization (GAVI). This partnership would allow UNICEF and WHO to distribute three new vaccines over the next two years.

-Akshika Patel

SOURCE:UNICEF

Kuwait Gives Aid to the Children in Turkey

2012-01-28T09:27:00.000-08:00

Photo courtesy of Kyodo News

On 23 October 2011, a earthquake occurred in Van, Turkey. This earthquake killed 604 people and injured over 4,000 others. Given that most of the area's infrastructure was heavily damaged, a large proportion of 600,000 plus population has been left homeless. Half of those left homeless are children. Those who decided to stay reside in make shift refugee camps in the area.

Earlier this week, the State of Kuwait donated $250,000 to UNICEF towards humanitarian efforts in response to this natural disaster. With children proving to be heavily effected by the earthquake, UNICEF has focused on education and child protection. UNICEF has established emergency schooling facilities: 40 classrooms, eight living units for 24 counsellors, and 190 early childhood development kits. Moreover, UNICEF is training social workers to provide psychosocial support to children who have suffered from the earthquake. The Kuwaiti contribution will go a long way to improving actions already taken by UNICEF.

-Akshika Patel

SOURCE: UNICEF

Women's Education is the Smartest Investment

2012-01-27T16:54:00.000-08:00

During the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged business leaders to increase their investment in women's education and health. "Investing in the health of women and girls is the right thing to do and the smart thing to do for national economies and global stability," said Mr.Ban.

Educating women is a tactic that can significantly contribute to the economy. The Secretary-General highlighted the role that business leaders can play to help women in their education pursuits.

Education aside, Mr.Ban made clear the need for improvement in women's health. In 2011, over 300,000 women died during child birth from preventable complications. Mr.Ban stressed that it is imperative that maternal health efforts be increased in order for women to safely give birth. The private sector has the resources to improve not only maternal health care, but also HIV/AIDS prevention among women.

In the words of the Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, "The private sector is uniquely positioned to deliver a better life for women and children around the world."

-Akshika Patel

SOURCE:UN News Centre

Ban Ki-moon: Private Investment and Universal Energy Access

2012-01-27T14:28:00.000-08:00

One in five people lacks access to modern electricity. Three billion people use wood, coal, charcoal or animal waste for cooking and heating. In an attempt to address this huge disparity, business leaders from around the world attended the World Economic Forum's conference on "Ending Energy Poverty" in Davos, Switzerland.

During this conference, Secretary General Ban Ki-moon underlined the necessity of private investment for the achievement of universal and sustainable energy access. Mr.Ban urged those attending to utilize their resources in order to support government and non-public sector relationships. He stressed that by working with global CEOs and investors, the international community can work to improve energy access and enhance efficiency.

Mr.Ban has proposed to the panel his Sustainable Energy for All Initiative. This initiative looks to cement universal access to modern energy services, double the rate of improvement in energy efficiency and increase the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix by 2030. By gaining access to modern energy, developing nations will be able to improve productivity, public health, and education. Mr.Ban said at the conference that,"By providing sustainable energy for all, we can revitalize economic growth, protect the planet, protect the environment and spread the benefits of development more equitably. This can be a triple win."

-Akshika Patel

SOURCE:UN News Centre

Horn of Africa Needs More Humanitarian Aid

2012-01-27T12:32:00.000-08:00

UNICEF has released its "Humanitarian Action for Children 2012", which focuses on the importance of humanitarian aid within the Horn of Africa. The ongoing crisis in this region necessitates funding that focuses on the most vulnerable groups: women and children. UNICEF has requested the international community to give US $1.28 billion. Over half of this would go towards combating food scarcity in Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia. UNICEF Director of Emergency Programmes Louis-Georges Arsenault points out that this year the programme will focus on Somalia and the Dadaab in Eastern Kenya.

In addition to focusing on the Horn of Africa, the programme also details the needs of other regions. The funding statement discusses the flooding of Pakistan, the needs of children effected by violence in Cote d'Ivoire and South Sudan, and the efforts to rebuild Haiti after the 2010 earthquake. The UNICEF report also addresses the "silent" emergency in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The funding programme highlights that as of 2011, more than 1.5 million people have been displaced because of violence in the Congo.

In this report, UNICEF stresses the need for flexible and immediate funding for the regions of Sahel, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Chad, and many more African nations. According to UNICEF, if the women and children of these nations are to survive, this emergency funding is critical.

-Akshika Patel

SOURCE:UNICEF

Myanmar Called on to Support Development Partnerships

2012-01-26T16:49:00.000-08:00

Executive Secretary of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), Noeleen Heyzer, has called on the Myanmar government to support private and public partnerships that help accelerate development in the country. Heyzer and Myanmar President, Thein Sein, were involved in a two day forum, organized by Myanmar and ESCAP. Government ministry representatives and over 130 private investors attended the meeting.

Secretary Heyzer made it a point to communicate that investment can in fact support Sein's reform agenda. The President stated that Myanmar needs, "private sector investment to contribute to national development and inclusive growth." Thein stated that the Myanmar government looks to ESCAP as a trusted partner in its path to development. In the spirit of joint cooperation between ESCAP and the Myanmar government, Heyzer proposed that a ESCAP Asia-Pacific Business Forum after the international community lifts trade restrictions on Myanmar.

-Akshika Patel

SOURCE: UN News Centre

South Africa Home Minister For Poverty Reduction

2012-01-26T16:30:00.000-08:00

Photo Courtesy of Township Times

Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, South Africa's Home Affairs Minister, is currently running for the African Union Commission chairperson position. She has pledged to focus on poverty reduction within the African continent. She has said that, "We need to eradicate conflicts on our continent by providing African solutions to African problems."

The African Union has declared 2010-2020 as the Decade of Women. In light of this, Dlamini-Zuma's plans of action focuses on the emancipation of women, education, health, shelter, and job creation. She urges the acceleration and integration of all economic spheres in order to advance African interests internationally.

-Akshika Patel

SOURCE: News Day: Everyday News for the People

Global Fund Receives Boost from Gates

2012-01-26T14:53:00.000-08:00

Today Bill Gates announced that his organization, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, would be donating an additional $750 million to the Global Fund. The announcement made Thursday morning at the World Economic Forum will help boost the work that the Global Fund is doing to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria.

CNN reporters noted that the money will be given to the organization as a "promissory note" instead of as cash. In doing so, the Global Fund will have much more flexibility and authority in distributing the funds as immediate needs arise. In fact, these funds can be used immediately to save lives through very tangible means, like tuberculosis treatments and mosquito nets.

These funds are just what the organization needs right now. After recent accusations of misappropriated funds, the Global Fund is revamping its organizational structure in order to more efficiently work to fight these diseases.

The newly donated $750 million to the organization is not the first of money that the Global Fund has received from Gates. Since coming into existence ten years ago, Gates has already contributed $650 million to their projects.

-Ashley Hofferber

SOURCE: CNN

Increase in Foreign Direct Investment

2012-01-24T15:22:00.000-08:00

Today, the United Nations released a report stating that last year, global foreign direct investment (FDI) increased by 17 percent. Over half of FDI went into developing and transitional countries. Investments in Latin America increased by 35 percent. Transition economies saw a 31 percent increase in financial contribution by foreign investors.

Unfortunately, FDI in African states declined to a total of 3.6 percent of global FDI. This drop indicates greater investment by developed nations and the private sector is necessary.

Global FDI is expected to rise to $1.6 trillion in 2012. As the global economy encounters the uncertainties surrounding the euro and other economic situations, it is even more important that FDI not backslide. Foreign investment is not only a valuable tool for not only alleviating global poverty. FDI creates jobs oversees, strengthens markets, and overall contributes to a stronger global economy.

-Akshika Patel

SOURCE:UN News Centre

Building U.S. Support

2012-01-23T16:02:00.000-08:00

Earlier this month, President Barack Obama and his administration passed the $1 trillion Omnibus bill in an effort to bolster the economy and prevent further stagnation. Most surprisingly, this bill contained an allocation of nearly $2.6 billion to multilateral, international agencies such as the IMF (a 37 percent increase from 2011) and $21.5 billion allocation to foreign assistance programs. This funding comes as a surprise to many developmental analysts who found recently polling of Americans to suggest that "70 percent of respondents said cutting foreign aid would have a large impact on reducing the U.S. deficit." Perhaps even more concerning was the fact that polls also found that "Americans believed that 20 percent of the federal budget was being spent on aid, when the actual figure is less than 1 percent."

This monumental shift toward globalized, rational funding sends a clear message to the world that the United States is intent on maintaining its influence on the global market. More importantly, this sends a message that the U.S. is intent on fostering relationships in the global market while focusing on providing aid to those that need it most. As any policy analysts can attest to, there is always a desired return on social investment. According to Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, the return is "enormous." In a policy sense, the U.S. is able to ensure that they, "encourage a level global playing field for businesses...apply rigorous social and environmental standards to development projects...and focus more on fragile states, which helps address global security concerns and also advances U.S. security interests abroad."

As the quoted Brookings Institute article frames it, "The amounts involved are a very small fraction of the U.S. budget but can help hundreds of millions of the world’s poorest people."

-Kenneth Louis

SOURCE: The Brookings Institute - Global Economy and Development

Working Toward Prevention

2012-01-20T11:39:00.000-08:00

"Of the estimated 34 million people living with HIV/AIDS across the world, almost three quarters live in Eastern and Southern Africa." This is a staggering statistic. Combating the HIV/AIDS epidemic, the United Nations (UN) has made great strides in places like Botswana where mother-to-child infections have been reduced from 40% to 4% in just four years. But in regions of Eastern and Southern Africa, lack of proper medical care combined with impoverished communities have stalled efforts to prevent the transmission of the HIV/AIDS virus. Luckily, UN leaders and activists alike have already started taking crucial steps toward prevention.

Sheila Tlou, the Director of the Regional Support Team for the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) spoke at a conference in Geneva with words of encouragement for preventative care. Focusing on behavioral change and mother-to-child transmission, the UNAIDS program will help expand anti-retroviral treatments to those who need it most. Currently, of the 15 million HIV-infected individuals eligible for anti-retroviral treatment, only 4.2 million are receiving the care they need. Tlou looks with optimism to areas in the Asian-Pacific where there has been a 20% reduction in new infections in the past ten years.

Efforts to prevent new infections and mother-to-child transmissions must start at the root. As stressed by Tlou and the UNAIDS committee, behavior modification and crucial poverty reduction efforts are a necessity. Education, proper medical treatments, and access to hygienic facilities are all steps toward preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS in the world's most impoverished communities. Tlou states, "We have to now focus on making sure that we scale up voluntary medical male circumcision, behaviour change, and all those [interventions] to make sure that we reduce infections." Although a mounting challenge, programs and successes such as these give millions living with HIV/AIDS the hope they need.

-Kenneth Louis

SOURCE: UN News Centre

UNICEF Improves Educations for Millions All Over Asia

2012-01-13T16:24:00.000-08:00

World wide, 67million children are not enrolled in school. 26 million of these children reside in the Asia-Pacific region. Thankfully, actions are being taken to address this disparity. UNICEF has launched Schools for Asia, an international fundraising initiative to provide marginalized children throughout Asia and the Pacific with access to quality education. By simply making sure that schools are staffed with trained teachers and are providing a safe learning environment, this program will deeply impact the most marginalized: girls, poor families, and ethnic minorities.

This program will run in Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, the Lao People's Democratic Republic, Mongolia, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Timor-Leste, and Viet Nam. Proponents of the program hope that providing quality education, repetition and drop-out rates will be heavily reduced.

Schools for Asia today follows the success of the 2004 Schools for Africa campaign. Within 6 years, over 5 million children had gained access to quality education thanks to this campaign. Individuals, corporations, and foundations are credited with much of the success of this campaign. "Donors worldwide will have a unique opportunity to replicate the success for Asia and help give millions of children the chance for a better future," says UNICEF Director of Private Fundraising and Partnerships Leila Pakkala.

Education is crucial for development. This campaign is an opportunity to realize the objectives set by the Millennium Development Goals of educational and gender equality by the year 2015.

-Akshika Patel

SOURCE: UNICEF

Ambassador Brings a New Perspective to Economic Aid

2012-01-10T16:41:00.000-08:00

Today, the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) elected Slovakian Ambassador Miloš Koterec as President of ECOSOC. The new President has emphasized that given the current economic climate, ideas surrounding development must change. Furthermore, Mr.Koterec stressed that new methods have to be implemented to increase cooperation between donor and aid-recepient nations.

Mr.Koterec has said that, "Gone is the old binary division where rich nations dispense aid and poor ones receive it.” Traditional donors are no longer considered the most generous. New donors, as well as the private sector, have become increasingly involved in international aid and economic development. In an effort to create and support effective economic relationships between donor and aid-recepient nations, Mr.Koterec has called for greater discussion in the next Development Cooperation Forum (DFC).

Sustainable development is a high priority for the new ECOSOC President. This past September, Mr.Koterec presented numerous sustainable development initiatives, as well as five global mandates to ECOSOC. These initiatives emphasized the empowerment of the youth, the prevention of natural disasters, and supporting transitioning countries. Mr.Koterec has stated that, “I strongly believe that ECOSOC is well placed and well equipped to become the central place for follow-up to Rio+20. We must deepen our efforts to achieve the internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals, our main framework for development to 2015."The slovakian Ambassador Miloš Koterec is ushering a new age of international aid and development.

-Akshika Patel

SOURCE: UN News Centre

UN Helps Rural Farmers Climb Out of Poverty

2012-01-10T15:02:00.000-08:00

In an effort to alleviate poverty among farmers in Liberia, the UN International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) has agreed to loan $24.9 million. The Liberian government will utilize the funding for the "tree crop revitalization support project". By improving cocoa and coffee production, this program will effect more than 15,000 smallholder cocoa and coffee famers in the region.

The funds will mainly be distributed in Northern Liberia, where most of the cocoa and coffee farmers live. By reviving 50% of the existing plantations, this program will increase the income of cocoa and coffee producers. IFAD has already invested up to $38.3million throughout five different Liberia targeted programs. It is because of UN aid given towards alleviating poverty in Liberia, that 30,000 households have benefitted.

-Akshika Patel
SOURCE: UN News Centre

South Sudan Declares State of Disaster, Opportunity for Change

2012-01-05T12:11:00.000-08:00

Photo Courtesy of Reuters Blog

South Sudan has recently declared a state of disaster due to increasing violent clashes between rival ethnic groups in Jonglei. By declaring a state of disaster, aid agencies and humanitarian organizations would be allowed to move in quickly in order to deliver much needed food, medicine and shelter.

Since becoming an independent nation last July, ethnic clashes in South Sudan have caused somewhere around 100,000 people to flee. Though some reports show that more than 150 people have been killed in these clashes, the country’s Information Minister, Mariel Benjamin Barnaba, can only confirm between 20 to 30 deaths. He also insists that the area is now completely under government control and he “could guarantee the security of any aid workers who went to the area.”

It is reported that these clashes began as cattle raids, but have spiraled out of control. Conflicts such as these "cattle vendettas," as well as other clashes between rival groups, are common in South Sudan. The United Nations says that about 350,000 people were displaced as a result of this kind of violence last year.

Intercommunal violence like this poses a major challenge for the fledgling government in South Sudan. Being a newly independent state, the country is faced with the task of establishing an effective system of governance. Furthermore, South Sudan is one of the world's poorest regions. It has hardly any roads, schools, medical clinics, or other vital infrastructure. The lack of economic development within the country only fuels instability and leads to a higher rate of clashes like these recent ones in Jonglei.

Our hope here at The Borgen Project is that by declaring a state of disaster in South Sudan, aid agencies and humanitarian organizations will be allowed to affect the political and economic development in this country. Not only do these organizations have the opportunity to affect the immediate basic needs of the people of South Sudan, but they also have the unique opportunity to help establish a bit of stability in the region by providing humanitarian aid.

-Ashley Hofferber

SOURCE: The BBC

Borgen Interns Test New Red Carpet

2012-01-05T11:02:00.000-08:00

On a sunny Thursday morning, three interns make their way to catch the eyes of many passerbys of Pioneer Square while testing out the new, but very classic, red carpet with a photo op. The Borgen Project's back drop isn't too shabby either. It was a great way to display who we are and possibly intrigue onlookers with what we do. Most certainly a great bonding experience for the lucky three individuals.

Obama's New Tattoo... Doubtful

2012-01-03T22:12:00.000-08:00

We've heard the rumors and seen the Obama tattoo photo...

Official response: We dig it, but we're highly skeptical that President Obama decided to get a Borgen Project tattoo on his trip to Hawaii. Altered photo no doubt. Enough said.

Economic Crisis to Stump Latin American Growth

2012-01-03T10:59:00.000-08:00

UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) has released a report warning that growth in regions of Latin America will see a further dip going from 4.3 percent in 2011 to 3.7 percent in 2012. Of course, not all nations are facing the same economic and political plight. The significantly complicated state of the global economic environment, in particular the deep crisis of the Eurozone, most certainly impacts this region on "the real channel - exports, prices, foreign investment, remittances, and tourism - and the financial channel". It is essential to look at the economic performance of developed nations, for a fall in activities could lead to a fall in demand for goods, thus negatively affecting regional exports and price of principal export products.

ECLAC presented some economic policy challenges that include:

preparing for eventual deterioration of the international situation as a whole
considering possible sudden changes and delay of the impact of macroeconomic policies
designing a fiscal policy package for the protection of jobs

With these predictions in play, what will become of these Latin American nations?

-Georisa Chang

SOURCE: UN News Centre

Financial Consortium To Alleviate Global Poverty

2011-12-20T13:34:00.000-08:00

So improving financial services and financial systems in part can help alleviate global poverty? Certainly! Microfinance allows for more businesses to run, which leads to more job creation, increasing economic growth, and thus reducing the number of people living in severe poverty. The concept is fairly simple. Check out this video!

-Georisa Chang
SOURCE: Consortium on Financial Systems and Poverty

Children Tell It Like It Is

2011-12-19T11:26:00.000-08:00

These young advocates connect the dots between our investments in US global leadership and job creation at home providing compelling explanations of the benefits of investing in development and diplomacy programs. It's their futures, why shouldn't they care?

-Georisa Chang

SOURCE: U.S. Global Leadership Coalition

State of Silent Crisis

2011-12-13T12:42:00.000-08:00

Urgent action needs to take place now for mortality rates in Central African Republic (CAR) are skyrocketing through the roof. Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), medical aid group, has come forth and called on donor governments and development agencies to come through with their commitments of foreign assistance, whether it be through funds or humanitarian acts. As one of world's poorest countries, ranking 179 out of 187 countries in the 2011 UN Human Development Index, life expectancy in CAR is 48 (second lowest in the world). Cause of most deaths? Malnutrition and diseases, like malaria, HIV and Aids, that could have been prevented or treated if necessary resources were at their disposal. Also, with the notorious workings of Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), violence, rape, and abduction are contributing factors to the high death rates.

Sure, health funding is allocated, but it appears that international donors are becoming less involved dropping from $39m in 2005 to $9.9m in 2009. So, the issue at hand, accountability. People need to start stepping up to the plate and be good on their commitments for their lives are ultimately in your hands.

Sean Healey, MSF humanitarian affairs officer, said "The Central African Republican falls into the category of forgotten crises. It is not receiving the humanitarian commitment that it should."

-Georisa Chang

SOURCE: The Guardian

Congolese Women Will Rise

2011-12-05T10:03:00.001-08:00

Eve Ensler, author of The Vagina Monologues, talks about her involvement with The City of Joy, global feminism movement, and why gender equality should be on the minds of more men. Watch this, it is very inspiring!

Women of Democratic Republic of Congo

-Georisa Chang
SOURCE: The Guardian

Dedication at its Finest!

2011-12-01T09:45:00.001-08:00

Nisha Noor is a fellow that started working for the Borgen Project in January 2011. After nearly a year of dedication, she has now reached 800 hours of work.

Nisha grew up in Bangladesh and graduated from the University of Dhaka, the largest University in the country, with a Masters in Economics. She then came to the U.S. to attend the Saint Louis University. She is currently in the process of graduating with a degree in Political Science. Last year, she moved with her husband to Seattle, WA and began working at the Borgen Project as an Intern. She then was promoted twice from Fellow and recently to the Human Resources Director. She has been an integral part of the organization and has interviewed most every volunteer that has gone through the application process. She spearheaded the PSA project, sending out over three hundred BP clips to TV stations across the country. She has also contributed to the blog and has done research on Economics and Politics in regards to global poverty.

Nisha is inspired by people such as Abraham Lincoln, Marie Curie, Nelson Mandela, and Aung San Suu Kyi who stood up for democracy efforts in Burma now Myanmar. She enjoys watching cricket, soccer, and tennis. You also won't be surprised to find her laughing to the newest political commentary on the Daily Show with Jon Stewart or the Colbert Report.

She is both a wonderful person and a hard worker. Soon she will be finishing up her newest degree and looking to start her career in the non-profit sector. In her lifetime, she would like to see a poverty-free world where every person has the basic needs for a successful life.

Congratulations Nisha! You deserve a good star in dedication to poverty reduction. We at the Borgen Project wish you all the best in your future endeavors and are looking forward to working with you further.

-Chelsey Dambro and the rest of the Borgen Project Staff Past and Present

United Front to Help The Poor

2011-11-30T09:14:00.001-08:00

Today, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will address the Fourth High-Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness in Busan, Republic of Korea. A united front from the international community needs to happen if the Millennium Development Goals are to be reached. The forum will be in process until Thursday to discuss the effectiveness of aid and how it is vital for those who are desperately in need. The forum will focus on how aid will be delivered, how MGDs will be achieved, and measures to help reduce maternal mortality and severe poverty. It is known that a worldwide economic crisis is underway, but by no means is it an excuse to hide behind it. Now is the time to come together and live up to your commitments.

-Georisa Chang

SOURCES: UN News Center

UN Reports Drop in HIV Infection Rates and HIV-Related Deaths

2011-11-21T11:56:00.001-08:00

Today, the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) reported progress in the world’s fight against the AIDS epidemic. The study found a significant reduction in contraction of the disease, a reduction in HIV-related deaths, and an increase in access to treatment for the disease.

There were 2.7 million new HIV infections in 2010 and 34 million people living with the disease. This is the lowest increase since 1997 and reflects a significant drop in those dying from AIDS. Sub-Saharan Africa remains the region with the highest prevalence of HIV/AIDS - 68 percent of those living with the disease live in this region - but the report showed that the greatest declines in HIV prevalence were in countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

The UN credits behavioral changes for the improvements including greater access to antiretroviral treatment, use of condoms, and fewer sexual partners per individual. We still have a lot to achieve. Nearly half of those eligible for antiretroviral therapy do not have access to the treatment, and nearly 1.5 million people die from HIV-related deaths each year. However, the UNAIDS report shows significant progress in our fight against the disease and helps guide the path for the future.

-Kjersti Hall

SOURCES: United Nations, UNAIDS World AIDS Day Report

Record High Migration to Yemen

2011-11-18T09:41:00.001-08:00

The accumulated total number of refugees and migrants to make it from the Horn of Africa to Yemen is at a record high of 84,656. It has been reported by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) that numbers are expected to grow even further by the end of this year. The majority of refugees have come from Ethiopia, and have since 2009 constituted as the "largest group among those to cross the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden." Sailing patterns have shifted significantly over the years due to increase in traffic on the Red Sea. With more frequent boat arrivals, more refugees are able to seek safety and opportunities on Yemen grounds. However, leaving their countries by no means guarantee them an abundance of freedom. There is concern regarding the increasing trend of abductions, extortions, kidnappings, and sexual assaults directed at refugees, particularly Ethiopian migrants. Yemen is to host more than 200,491 Somalian refugees and 445,679 displaced Yemeni civilians are to be displaced throughout the country.

--Georisa Chang

SOURCE: UN News Center

WTO Sidelines Developing Nations

2011-11-14T09:54:00.001-08:00

A decade has passed since the proposed agenda to put developing nations at the center of international trade. Has the World Trade Organization failed to deliver on their promises? It appears so when economic and political interestes are of concern for global powers. The future of the world's poor looks grisly if genuine cooperation amongst competing nations don't happen soon.

Some notable WTO failures effecting the poor:

Cotton: barriers created for 15 million cotton farmers across West Africa trying to trade their way out of poverty, but are forced out of business due to subsidies ($47 bn) allocated to rich-country producers
Agricultural subsidies: overproduction due to subsidies paid to rich country farmers
Trade agreements: unclear and ambiguous rules making it easier for rich nations to manipulate the poorest countries
Medicine: lack of accessibility to affordable medicine (ambiguity between government protection and IP rights of pharmaceutical companies)
Legal costs: lack of improvements made to accessibility to expensive and complex legal system (400 cases initiated)
Natural disasters: immediate alleviation of suffering in developing nations
Decision-making: inability to break the link between market size and political weight - trumps the voice of poor countries in trade negotiations

Should developing nations take the back seat? Most definitely not. We are all interconnected and it is imperative that we help the weak to strengthen our global community as a whole.

--Georisa Chang

SOURCE: The Guardian

African Women Need Choice

2011-11-09T09:16:00.000-08:00

Reaching 7 billion in population is a feat worthnoting. However, the true natureof this marking is much more complicated and destructive than we realize. The current growth rate anticipates 78million more people each year. Howmany is too many we ask?

The increase in population growth is attributed to theconditions of developing nations. Africa’s population growth rate is at 2.3%, which doubles that ofAsia’s. The reason for this rapidincrease in population lies within gender, believes Tewodros Melesse,Director-General of the International Planned Parenthood Foundation. Being stripped of the freedom to choosewhether or not they want to have a child is the root of the problem.

With poor accessibility to contraceptives, lack ofeducation, and pressures of society essential to economic survival, constantreproduction is what becomes of these women. In many countries, girls are married off at a young age,become pregnant too early, and their education gets cut so that they can carefor their young family.

Light needs to be shed on this matter. Women need empowerment and to know thatthe number of children they bear does not determine their own self-worth. Be provided with easier accessibilityto resources, medical care, and information when needed. Ultimately, be given a choice.

-Georisa Chang

SOURCE: CNN

UN Chief Underlines Role of Peacekeeping in Ensuring Just Use of Natural Resources

2011-11-08T02:00:00.001-08:00

In a message commemorating the International Dar forPreventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict, theUN Secretary General, Ben Ki-moon, said that the United Nations has animportant role to play in protecting the environment. Ban noted that UnitedNations peace keeps are in a unique position to influence how the environmentis protected and natural resources are managed. Since the day was firstrecognized ten years ago, the United Nations has made a great deal of progressin understanding the relationship between war, environment, and the role thatnatural resources play in fueling and financing instability and violence.

Although environmental factors are rarely, if ever, the solecause of violence, the exploitation of natural resources and relatedenvironmental stresses can be implicated in all phases of the conflict cycle,from contributing to the outbreak and perpetuation of violence to underminingprospects for peace. Since the 1990s at least eighteen violent conflicts havebeen fuelled by the exploitation of natal resources. Recent research suggeststhat over the last sixty years at least forty per cent of all interstateconflicts have a link to natural resources. Civil wars such as those in Liberia, Angola and theDemocratic Republic of Congo have centered on “high-value” resources like timber,diamonds, gold,minerals and oil. Other conflicts, including thosein Darfur and theMiddle East, have involved control of scarce resources such as fertile land and water. Asthe global population continues to rise, and the demand for resources continuesto grow, there is significant potential for conflicts over natural resources tointensify. While the relationship between the environment and conflictsmultidimensional and complex, three principle pathways can be drawn

Naturalresources and the environment contribute to the outbreak of conflic
Naturalresources and the environment help to finance and sustain conflict
Naturalresources and the environment can undermine peace and security

In his commemorative statementBan said that “As we mark this International Day, let us recognize thewide-ranging and long-term consequences of damaging the environment – both inpeace and times of war. And let us reaffirm our commitment to the sustainable managementof natural resources as a critical element of durable peace and security.” Mr.Ban’s commits are an important step in integrating environmental questions intopeacekeeping strategies.

-Madeline Lee

SOURCE: UN News

Religious Leaders Stand for International Aid

2011-11-08T02:00:00.000-08:00

The battle over federal spending is far from over, in fact, it’sabout to get ugly. Religiousleaders are coming at Congress with full force lobbying for the preservation offoreign aid. Their approach, it’sa moral obligation. “Part of thediscussion centered on the importance of reminding the American people thathunger and poverty around the world has a human face – that we’re not justtalking about statistics, but real people,” states Reverend John McCullough,Director of Church World Service. It is much easier to sympathize to a face than it is to the idea ofgiving monetary aid to the poor.

The limited amount of the federal budget already allocatedto foreign aid has proven to make a huge impact on millions upon millionssuffering from sever poverty. TheUnited States should see foreign assistance as much more than “tangiblebenefits to the world’s poor,” but an investment for the growth of our owneconomy as well as raise our international standing among other wealthnations.

Can we turn the other way and ignore these desperate peoplein this crucial time of need? Allow them to starve? Leave them todie because they weren’t able to receive the necessary medical care? We simply cannot.

“We’re talking about lives – great numbers of lives that aresaved with minimal input on our part.”

-Reverend Denis Madden

Roman Catholic Auxiliary Bishop ofBaltimore and Vice Chair of Catholic Relief Services

-Georisa Chang

SOURCE: The Washington Post

Results of Summit to Rebalance Global Economy

2011-11-07T08:59:00.000-08:00

After two days of intense discussion among G20 leaders, a consensus has been met concerning the financial andeconomic future of the eurozone and developing nations. It has been decided that plans toincrease the resources of the International Monetary Fund will take place inhopes of re-stabilizing the global economy with the promise of growth. Understand that theadditional contributions to be made into the IMF are to help countries in severe distress, not for the purpose of alleviating the debtcrisis of the eurozone alone. There are more poverty stricken nations that are in much dire need ofthe financial assistance.

It is certain that coming out of the eurozone debt crisiswill be no easy feat, even more so when countries outside of the eurozone arereluctant to contribute to the bailout fund, confirms German Chancellor AngelaMerkel. But, should the rest ofthe world be taking on the problems of the eurozone? Not all European nations are on board for increasing taxes on their citizens. Despite Europe's current financial anguish, G20leaders have come together and devised a final communiqué that will confrontthe current global structural issue directly.

To achieve the ultimate goal of global stability and growth requires a collective and ambitious action. It is in the hands of G20 to make the change and make a difference in the lives of the suffering.

“Europe has the capacity to meet this critical challenge...understanding that these problems will not be solved overnight...”

-President Barack Obama

-Georisa Chang

SOURCE: BBC News

Innovation with Impact: Bill Gates Asks G20 to Boost Development Efforts

2011-11-04T09:22:00.000-07:00

Billionairephilanthropist Bill Gates addressed the G20 summit on Thursday as part of acontinuing campaign for a Robin Hood tax on finance. Gates’ report, “Innovationwith Impact: Financing 21st Century Development,” explained how developed anddeveloping countries could raise an extra $48bn a year to fight global povertyby levying a small tax on share and bond trading. Despite hostility fromBritain and the United States, Gates added weight to his campaign for a RobinHood tax by explaining that a levy on finance would help hard-pressed nationsmeet their aid pledges to the poor. Underlying his recommendation is the ideathat innovation can multiply the impact of resources.

In hisreport, Gates stresses the need for rich countries to continue theirgenerosity, stating that if the G20 does not commit to increasing the pool ofresources dedicated to development they risk causing irreparable damage to thelivelihoods of millions of people. Beyond rich countries responsibility, Gatesnoted that the rapidly emerging economies represented in the G20 also play agrowing role in driving progress and development. Gates also uses the report toidentify new ways that the private sector can contribute to progress anddevelopment.

Gatessaid he thought his report would make a difference to the G20 discussions."I think it will help keep development on the agenda when there is atemptation to look at short-term issues… If the G20 takes up this challenge,I'm optimistic we can get through this economic crisis and save millions oflives and lift millions more out of poverty."

-Madeline Lee

SOURCE:The Washington Post

U.S. Withholds Funding in Light of Turbulent Times

2011-11-04T02:00:00.000-07:00

UNESCO’s Director General, Irina Bokova, addressedregretfully the recent decision made by the United States to withhold dues tothe agency. The consequence ofthis action will surely have an impact on program implementation, support foremerging nations, and the fight against extremism. She strongly believes it is strategically vital to promoteglobal stability and democratic values during this time of economic turmoil andsocial transformation.

Support from the U.S. enabled the agency to develop andsustain free and competitive media in Iraq, Tunisia, and Egypt as well asimplement literacy programs in other conflict-affected countries gradually alleviatingextremism.

“The U.S. is a critical partner in UNESCO’s work. The withholding of U.S. dues and otherfinancial contributions – required by U.S. law – will weaken UNESCO’seffectiveness and undermine its ability to build free and open societies,”states Ms. Bokova.

Should the U.S. be pulling back knowing all the good it’scapable of doing?

-Georisa Chang

SOURCE: UNNews

The Gumption of Youths to Shape Our Future

2011-11-03T02:00:00.000-07:00

In light of the many challenges the world is currently facedwith, rising unemployment rates to severe climate changes, people areapprehensive about what lies ahead. Despite the global unease, the young people are taking charge.

Don’t underestimate the power of the young people in theworld. This segment of society plays a vital role in building a better futurethat ensures “peace, prosperity, freedom, and justice for all”. They are accomplishing more to shapethis world for the better than we actually give them credit for. Their efforts in fighting poverty and hunger,protecting the environment, acts of HIV/AIDS prevention, and taking a standagainst discrimination (gender, race, or sexual orientation) should not gounnoticed. With the limited resources they have and their gumption to stand upfor what they believe in, there is no stopping them from changing this worldfor the better.

Also, communication today has transformed with advancementsin technology and social media allowing them to globally connect and widentheir perspective on the world around them. The more they interact with the world, the more they learn,the more likely they will want to get involved. They are our future; let their voice be heard, loud and proud.

“They are, in short, demanding the dignity and opportunitiesthat are their right.”

-Asha-Rose Migiro, Deputy Secretary-General

-Georisa Chang

SOURCE: UN News

The UN World Food Program Responds to Food Shortages in Niger

2011-11-02T02:00:00.000-07:00

The UnitedNations World Food Program announced plans to scale up its operations insidethe country of Niger, where more than one million people are in need of emergencyfood aid. According to humanitarian agencies, conditions in Niger areparticularly bad this year, due to a poor harvest, drought, and insect attacks.The situation was worsened by the return of almost 200,000 migrant workers fromLibya and Cote d’Iovire.

GaëlleSévenier, a spokesperson for the UN World Food Program, told reporters in Genevathat $60 million is required to fund food aid interventions for the mostvulnerable over the next six months, as the country deals with an estimateddeficit of 500,000 tons of cereal. Sévenier also added that the number ofpeople in need could rise to two million, by the end of next year.

TheUN Food Agency reassured the state of Niger that they would act quickly in theface of crisis. So far, the UN Food Agency has doubled the number of people itplans to feed in Niger during next month’s general food distribution.

- Madeline Lee

SOURCE: UN News

The Needs of A Growing Population

2011-10-31T11:34:00.000-07:00

Today marks the day when world population reaches its 7 billion milestone. Are we tocelebrate or should we be concerned? Things have certainly changed since 1999 when world population reached 6billion. It was a time when we believed that we could eradicate severe poverty and hunger as well asact in time to avert the worst effects of climate change. With high confidence, we knew nothing could stop us. Well things haven’texactly worked out that way. Facing a decade of economic distress and lacking progression in ourefforts to eliminate global poverty, are we capable of meeting everyone’sneeds? Only time will tell.

It was predicted that fertility rates would continue to falland population was anticipated to continue to drop. Now, reaching the 7 billion mark, U.N.’s latest projectsindicate that population will reach 10 billion by 2082 and will in factcontinue to grow. Contributingfactors such as inability to access contraceptives in developing countries,gender inequality, and child marriage further induces the increase in fertilityrates. By implementing costeffective strategies in developing nations, fertility rates will be reducedand the health and welfare of the impoverished will be improved.

Another challenge arises; will we be able to produce enoughfood for the predicted population growth? Enduring two major food crises, shrinkage in food stock and the impactof climate change on our natural resources, has magnified the concern regardingfuture food production. Unfortunately,those living in severe poverty will be the most affected. It is essential that we addressthe world’s poor first, get to the root of the problem.

To ensure that population growth doesn’t exceed our Earth’scapacity, focusing our efforts on eradicating hunger, reducing severe poverty,and addressing climate change is vital. Progression needs to take place or else we are doomed for dire consequences.

-Georisa Chang

Source: Chicago Tribune

UNICEF: More Resources are Needed in the Horn of Africa

2011-10-28T02:00:00.000-07:00

The massive humanitarian response to thefood crisis in the Horn of Africa has eased the suffering of many, but moreresources are needed to save the lives of hundreds of thousands of people incentral and southern Somalia. Elhadi As Sy, the UNICEF Regional Director forEastern and Southern Africa, called for the scaling up of integratedintervention in health, nutrition, food security, water and sanitation,education and child protection.

In its monthly report, UNICEF detailed thescale and impact of the famine.

13.3 million people are in need of assistance across the Horn of Africa, half of them children.
Famine has been declared in six areas of Somalia
The lives of 750,000 people are at risk if relief efforts are not increased by December.
Thousands of children have already died, and more than 320,000 - half of them in central and southern Somalia - are suffering from life threatening malnutrition.
More than 450,000 Somalis have fled to refugee camps in north-eastern Kenya. Another 183,000 Somalis have entered Ethiopia, and around 20,000 Somalis have fled to Djibouti.

The report gave thanks to the internationalcommunity, for allowing UNICEF and partners across the Horn of Africa to achieveimportant results on which to build. In the past three months over 10,000 tonsof supplies have been delivered to the Horn of Africa. Over 108,000 malnourishedchildren have been treated through therapeutic feeding centers, and some 2.2million people have received safe drinking water.

While the humanitarian response to the foodcrisis in the Horn of Africa has helped thousands, more resources are needed tomaintain the relief effort. Thus, although much has been done,it is important to remember that the crisis is far from over.

- Madeline R. Lee

SOURCE: UN NEWS

Free Healthcare for Women and Children in Sierra Leone

2011-10-27T02:00:00.000-07:00

In Aprilof 2010, Sierra Leone implemented a policy of free healthcare for pregnantwomen, breastfeeding mothers, and children under five. The policy has reduced mortalityrates for pregnant women and deaths from malaria for small children.

Robert Yates, a senior health economist in Britain’s Department for InternationalDevelopment said the results in Sierra Leone have been “nothing short ofspectacular.” His figures suggest a 214 percent increase in the number ofchildren under 5 getting care at health facilities, a 61 percent decrease in mortalityrates in difficult pregnancy cases, and an 85 percent drop in the malariafatality rate for children.

Government figures show that since the introduction of the initiative,more women are accessing antenatal care and delivering their babies in healthfacilities. However, many women continue to face serious challenges inaccessing the drugs and medical care crucial for safe pregnancy and childbirth.An Amnesty International report, At a Crossroads: Sierra Leone’s Free HealthCare Policy, revealed that many women are being charged for the care they receive.The report called upon Sierra Leone to strengthen and establish systems ofmonitoring and accountability to ensure health care interventions areaccessible to women and girls and to guarantee their access to effectiveremedies for violations of their human rights.

Although challenges remain, the new policy has dramatically improvedmaterial health within Sierra Leone.

- Madeline R. Lee

SOURCE: New York Times

Global Demand for Secondary Education Spikes

2011-10-26T11:27:00.000-07:00

With global demand for secondary education on the rise, governments in places like sub-saharan Africa are struggling to supply the high demands due to the unavailability of the necessary resources. The need for secondary education is essential for the growth and development of these countries in areas concerning (but not limited to) environmental security, child and maternal health, and HIV prevention. These are their formidable years, they shouldn't be deprived of the opportunity to learn and better their understanding of the world around them. These children are very valuable resources worth utilizing.

The importance also lies at the societal and economic level. According to Albert Motivans, Head of Education Indicators and Data Analysis at the Montreal based Institute, " Secondary education helps support a more skilled workforce. This can lead to poverty reduction and economic growth goals. It helps to support a population which is healthier and which participates more actively in society. And thus, secondary education also acts as a kind of a bridge at the society level, from one level of development to the next." Providing higher education for these youths promises hope of a brighter future not only for themselves but also for their nations.

Here are some statistics to think about:

In sub-saharan Africa, only 36 percent of children are enrolled in secondary education, more than 21.6 million children get turned away, and many will never have been in school
Globally, approx. 100 million more students each decade are accommodated - total number has grown 60 percent between (1990 and 2009)
The ratio of enrollment amongst gender shows that there is a higher percentage of male acceptance, however, the percentage of female enrollment is increasing
Girls are more likely than boys to complete lower secondary education in three quarters of countries with available data

"Secondary education is the next great challenge."

-Hendrik van der Pol, Director of UNESCO's Institute for Statistics

-Georisa Chang

SOURCE: UN News

Senator Graham Stands to Protect International Affairs Aid

2011-10-25T20:51:00.000-07:00

With our current financial crisis, it is clear that foreignaid is the first of many programs to go on the chopping block. Who is to say that the financialproblems in the U.S. will be alleviated if international aid gets axedcompletely? One thing is certain, the small percentage of the federal budget that currently goes to foreignassistance has made a larger impact on the world’s poor than we realize.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, a military lawyer and an Air Forcecolonel, is going full force in advocating for the protection of foreign aid,despite going toe to toe with all the cynics who believe that U.S. resourcesshould be focused at home. Withhis current position as senior Republican, Sen. Graham is doing what he can tostall funding cuts, but with our current economic situation, more Americans arereluctant to spend money abroad especially when some are doing all they can tosimply make ends meet. To top itoff, members from his own political party demonstrate their clear displeasurein having any funds at all allocated to foreign assistance. At the presidentialdebate in Las Vegas last week, many GOP candidates made arguments defacinginternational aid and how it must be cut. “I’m very concern about the direction my party is taking. I’m a Ronald Regan Republican. I would like to shape worldly eventsrather than watch the world fall apart. That means you have to be engaged.”

Early this year, Sen. Graham moved to the Senate AppropriationsCommittee and became the top Republican on its foreign operations panel. Sure, Americans are a bit hesitantabout helping countries in the Middle East after Afghanistan and Iraq, but Sen.Graham strongly believes that directing U.S. aid to those places could yield hugedividends for the U.S. It is alsoimportant to note that there is a connection between U.S. defense and foreign aidefforts abroad. The foreign aid allocatedto these poor countries will reduce terrorism and drug cartel involvements, andin turn will help strengthen our own national security.

Sen. Graham believes the U.S. needs to be doing more for itsforeign counterparts. As a senatorin the conservative state of South Carolina, he knows that his work will unquestionablyhinder him politically. Yet, therisk that he is willing to take to sustain foreign aid will change the lives ofmillions.

“It is a tough sell, but you can be pennywise andpound-foolish.”

-Senator Lindsey Graham, (R-S.C.)

-Georisa Chang

SOURCE: The State

Renewed Partnership Between U.N. and U.S. Peace Corps Strengthens Fight Against Hunger

2011-10-21T11:13:00.000-07:00

An agreement was signed on Thursday between the United Nations and the United States Peace Corps marking their mutual allegiance in the battle against world hunger. The plan -- increase food security in 76 countries where more than 8,600 U.S. volunteers work.

Signed by the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the U.N. World Food Programme (WFP), this ensures that all three organizations have access to the resources necessary to help the world's poor and hungry. Highlighted by WFP Executive Director Josette Sheeran, "...we all work a hand up, not just a hand out, to improve their own ability to produce and access food for their families and communities." Like the old saying goes, "Give a man a fish, you feed him for a day, teach a man to fish you, feed him for a lifetime."

The Peace Corps has worked with FAO and WFP in nearly 40 countries promoting food security through citizen participation, education, and capacity building. Some of the techniques and practices shared between Peace Corps volunteers, FAO, and WFP include: training on sustainable gardening and organic farming, providing education on nutrition and hygiene for children, proper food storage and handling, and a workshop on how to grow produce. This critical issue of food security must be treated at the source, the poor and the vulnerable.

"FAO and the Peace Corps have a long history of working together in rural communities throughout the world. This agreement signals a renewed, enhanced commitment to harnessing the respective strengths and expertise of our three organizations to tackle the root causes of hunger and ensure sustainable food security and economic development."

-Jacques Diouf, FAO Director-General

-Georisa Chang

SOURCE: UN News

UN Deputy encourages tourism as method to end poverty

2011-10-18T02:00:00.000-07:00

In a recent speech, UN Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro urged governments and financial institutions to support tourism as a method that can “stimulate economies and overcome poverty”.

Dr. Migiro’s October 10th address to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in South Korea pointed out how tourism has seen impressive growth over the last several decades and now represents 5% of the world’s GDP, saying also “this is creating jobs for local communities and diversifying national economies.” She then poised the question, “how can this phenomenal growth be harnessed in support of the Millennium Development Goals?”

The Deputy Secretary-General focused three ways in which targeted efforts can have a greater impact for developing nations.

In countries where poverty and hunger are most extreme, tourism can continue improving basic infrastructure and services, such as transportation, communications, energy, and water supply.
The expansion of tourism will continue to generate opportunities for employment, and the creation of tourism-focused small businesses focusing on goods and services.
Tourism can empower women by employment as managers, and create opportunities for women-run businesses, Dr. Migiro added that she has seen “first-hand how community-oriented tourism can promote women’s social and economic mobility and unlock their entrepreneurship.”

The Deputy Secretary-General also proposed several specific action items for governments, investors, and donors to take; saying governments should develop a pro-poor tourism strategy that focuses on services and jobs, they should integrate gender participation in all decision-making, government should increase community participation in developing tourism products and in the development and management of tourism sites, and they should integrate environmental and cultural protection with tourism development.

Despite the obvious positive effects, the Deputy Secretary-General was quick to point out that tourism had not been made a “priority area for either funding or engagement” by the world’s governments or donors, saying “I urge you to advocate on behalf of tourism's potential to create jobs, attract foreign exchange, investment and know-how and stimulate local economies.”

Raised in a village on the side of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Dr. Migiro said she had seen first-hand the positive impacts tourism can have on developing economies.

"Over the years I have seen how tourism has helped to change the face of this majestic landscape,” she commented, speaking of the “great power of tourism”.

Dr. Migiro closed by emphasizing that sustainable development is perhaps the highest prioarity for her boss, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

“Saving our planet, lifting the poor from poverty, and advancing economic growth for all are one and the same cause - From the soil of sustainable development we can grow peace, security, human rights and a world of opportunity for all.”

-Joshua Rogers

SOURCE: The United Nations

Common-Sense Investments Can Lead to Eradicating Poverty

2011-10-17T09:19:00.001-07:00

Are we in danger of not meeting the Millennium Development Goals deadline? According to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the fight for global poverty appears to be headed in the wrong direction. Our failure seems to resonate in the lack of focus in putting people at the center of our development policies and strategies concerning economic recovery.

The fears of job loss, inability to feed their families, and access to health care are concerns, but to overcome these and many other challenges faced globally, common-sense has to come in play. Investment needs to be in the source, the people. Continuing to ignore the voices of the poor and the youths will only deter us from ultimately achieving our goals of eradicating poverty.

An expert in extreme poverty and human rights, Magdalena Sepulveda, urged States to immediately address the growing inequalities between the rich and the poor. "These rising inequalities have diminished social cohesion and increased insecurity and exclusion through out the world." stated in her message. Also noted was that the poorest and most excluded are taking the hardest hits with these financial crisises, while the richest continue to prosper. "What is required are recovery measures that are equitable, accompanied by human rights safeguards and designed from the ground up, taking into consideration the specific needs of vulnerable populations."

"As we work to avoid a global financial meltdown, we must also work to avoid a global development meltdown."

-Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations

-Georisa Chang

SOURCE: UN News

AIDS Prevention Program Spares 100,000 in India

2011-10-17T02:34:00.000-07:00

There was some potentially exciting news which came out of the Bill & Melinda Gates foundation last week. A released program assessment in “The Lancet” medical journal showed that an estimated 100,000 people in India may have escaped HIV infection over a five year span.

The Gates Foundation has spent $258 million on it’s Avahan AIDS prevention project in India, a country in which 2.4 million people are infected with the immune deficiency. The Avahan project has become one of the largest programs which attempts to curb expansion of this fast growing world epidemic.

Looking at Avahan from 2003 to 2008 the assessment saw a drop in each of the observed six Indian States, ranging from 2% up to 13%. The broad program focuses on a handful of effective ways to reach vulnerable groups, including needle exchanges, safe-sex counseling, and condom distribution. The program aimed to reduce the number of infections within the general population by targeting groups, which are at a higher risk of spreading the disease.

The greatest success was seen in three of India’s populous southern states, where the epidemic is largely spread through sexual transmission. In the northern states of Manipur and Nagaland, where drug injections are more responsible for HIV progress was much less dramatic.

As with many studies, the Gates Foundation mentions in the Avahan report that the conclusions presented do come with a certain degree of uncertainty, and the co-authors also note the presence of other HIV prevention programs running in the area.

Experts from the World Health Organization commented on the report saying that despite many remaining questions about the project's overall success, the findings are an encouraging first step.

The Gates foundation has spent another $80 million on Avahan since 2008, and is currently shifting responsibility over the Indian government.

-Joshua Rogers

SOURCE: CBS News | Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

A Ugandan Midwife's Mission to Save Lives

2011-10-14T09:06:00.001-07:00

Another miracle is brought into this world in the Katine village of North East Uganda. New mother, Priscilla Alupo, smiles from ear to ear as she eagerly shows off her new son, George, to visitors.

Esther Madudu, one of three midwives at Tiriri health center, helped to deliver George along with the births of four other babies all in a single night's shift. Midwife for 11 years, Madudu, 31, is passionate about what she does. "I love talking about the mothers I help deliver. We deliver 45 to 50 mothers every month, so I save 45 to 50 mothers and babies a month." During her time at Tiriri, no mother has died during childbirth.

The problem here lies in the condition of the center. Giving birth at night is a bit difficult with no electricity. So how do these women overcome this hurdle? Well, they use the light cast by mobile phones, which are held in their mouths to ensure the beams are directed where needed. The damage that has taken place eight years ago to the Katine village has left the health center no power supply, but fortunately their water source is still in tact.

Scheduled to attend the Women's Forum Global meeting, in Deauville, France, Madudu will address delegates about her work and the health challenges faced by women in Africa. With the launch of her campaign, Up for African Mothers, coming up, the severity of this continent's high maternal mortality rates will hopefully raise the much needed political attention. Looking on a larger scale, it goes without saying that the millennium goals to reduce death rates among women and children in these poor countries will not be met by 2015 if the sufficient funds aren't received.

Here are some statistics to think about:

An estimate of 358,000 women die in pregnancy or childbirth every year due to lack off access to basic medical care or trained staff
Majority of deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa
70% of women don't receive prenatal care and half of all deliveries take place at home without medical assistance

In a rural village like Katine, the wages are low and the housing is inadequate. Yet, these factors are looked past. "When you love your work and want to save lives of mothers, you go there. That's why I stay in Tiriri. The pay is little, but God pays me because I know I have saved lives," explains Madudu. Within the next few years, she will travel the world to promote the African mother's campaign.

"My dream was to save lives. When you hear a baby cry on delivery, everyone begins to rejoice."

- Esther Madudu, Midwife and Advocate

-Georisa Chang

Source: The Guardian

The Norwegian Council Recognizes the Work of Women

2011-10-13T02:00:00.001-07:00

The 2011 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded jointly to Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Leymah Gbowee, and Tawakkul Karman. The Nobel Peace committee said the award was to be divided in three equal parts between Sirleaf, Gbowee, and Karman, “for their non-violence struggle to the safety of women and for women’s rights to full partition in peace-building work.” The women are the first females to receive the Nobel Peace Prize since October 2004, when Wangari Muta Maathai, the Kenyan environmentalist and political activist was honored with the award. Sirleaf, Gbowee, and Karman who demonstrate the vital role that women play in advancing peace and security, bring the total of female winners to 15, compared with 85 men. When asked about the role of women in peace keeping, development, and human rights, the committee said that true democracy and lasting peace cannot be achieved unless women achieve the same rights as men, at all levels of society.

Sirleaf was the first democratically elected female president in Africa. Since her inauguration in 2006, she has contributed to securing peace in Liberia. The President has also worked to improve the position of women within Liberia. Gbowee, is also a political activist within Liberia.

In the early 2000s Gbowee mobilized women across ethnic and religious dividing lines to being an end to the long war in Liberia. Since 2004, she has served as a commissioner on Liberia's truth and reconciliation commission. She also heads the Women in Peace and Security Network, an organization that works with women in Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and the Ivory Coast to promote peace, literacy and political involvement. Karman, the final recipient of the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize, is a Yemani journalist. She is also recognized for her organization, Women Journalists without Chains.

By awarding the peace prize to Sirleaf, Gbowee, and Karman the Norwegian council sent a clear message; women are an importance part of peace and security. This message will hopefully increase the number of women who are involved in the peace building process. Currently, less then 10 per cent of all peace agreements are negotiated by women and less then 3 per cent are signed by women. The councils decision to award the peace prize to three women, speaks not only to the wonderful work being accomplished by women all over the world, but to the great potential women can represent in peace and democracy.

-Madeline Lee

SOURCE: UN News

Congratulations World Food Prize Recipients!

2011-10-12T14:00:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to former Ghanaian President John Agyekum Kufuor and former Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva for receiving the 2011 World Food Prize (WFP)! The WFP recognizes achievements in the improvement of quality, quantity, or availability of food, and this year marks the 25th year that the WFP has been awarded.

President Kufuor spent his two terms focused on economic and educational reform that resulted in greater availability of food, quality of food, and income for local farmers. One example of this reform is the Ghana School Feeding Program which provides children with one meal a day at school, leading to increased attendance, and, ultimately, greater economic stability. Millennium Development Goal One includes halving the number of people living on less than a dollar a day from 1990-2015. President Kufuor nearly achieved that within Ghana after his policies achieved a reduction in poverty from 51.7 percent of the population in 1991 to 26.5 percent in 2004. In addition, these policies led to a 25 percent drop in hunger.

Former Brazilian President Silva has also made notable advancements in the area of food security. President Silva set out in his presidency to alleviate poverty and ensure that the Brazilian people were receiving three meals a day. He nearly met this goal during his eight years in office, at which time 93 percent of children and 82 percent of adults eating three meals a day; and he more than halved those living in extreme poverty in his country within a six-year time span. President Silva’s “Zero Hunger” strategy included a school lunch program with nearly one-third of the food being supplied by local farmers. In addition, he started a welfare program to provide families a monthly income and access to education, day care, and health facilities.

-Kjersti

SOURCE: WORLD FOOD PRIZE

Three Women Received The Nobel Peace Prize For 2011

2011-10-11T12:28:00.000-07:00

Last Friday was a good day for women empowerment as this year’s Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to three women for their nonviolent role in promoting peace, democracy and gender equality. These women are President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia, the first woman to be elected President in modern Africa, her countrywoman Leymah Gbowee, who is a peace activist, and Tawakkol Karman of Yemen, a pro-democracy campaigner.

These women were acknowledged for their outstanding contribution in bringing change for good in their respective nations. Thorbjorn Jagland, a former Norwegian prime minister who heads the Oslo-based Nobel committee read the citation in announcing the winners, “We cannot achieve democracy and lasting peace in the world unless women obtain the same opportunities as men to influence developments at all levels of society.”

These three women were the first to win the prize in 7 years since Wangari Maathai of Kenya won in 2004. Jagland also described the prize as “a very important signal to women all over the world.” Most of the recipients in the award’s 110-year history have been men, so this award will inspire women all over the world to fight for their rights and causes.

Congratulations to these wonderful women for their excellent win!

-Nisha Noor

SOURCE: THE NEW YORK TIMES

Enjoy Rugby And Tackle Hunger At The Same Time

2011-10-10T12:25:00.000-07:00

Are you a Rugby fan? Are you planning to watch this year’s Rugby World Cup? Even if you are not planning to watch, this message concerns you. With the Rugby World Cup ongoing in New Zealand, fans and followers of the sport are encouraged not only to cheer for their favorite teams but also to support the global campaign to end hunger. The ‘Tackle Hunger’ campaign is just one of several partnerships between the United Nations and different sports associations to eliminate hunger.

The campaign was launched in 2003 to finance World Food Program’s feeding programs and similar initiative around the world by using the ongoing world cup to generate more support for it. We have seen their presence in the last FIFA World Cup as well.

Various initiatives have already been taken to encourage Rugby followers to support the Tackle Hunger campaign such as, advertising boards at the stadium in New Zealand, program advertisements, and public service videos shown online, on television and in the stadium. The campaign is also using Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms to reach out to rugby fans across the world and inspire them to donate to WFP initiatives, particularly those focused on helping famine and drought victims in East Africa. The Rugby World Cup Twitter account has more than 104,000 followers while its Facebook profile has at least 1.4 million.

The Rugby World Cup is the third-biggest sporting event in the world, after the Olympic Games and FIFA World Cup. It has an estimated TV audience of 4 billion people globally. It will be a huge success for the initiative even if only half of the Rugby fans show their support for world hunger reduction.

-Nisha Noor

SOURCE: DEVEX

Global Poverty & U.S. Jobs

2011-10-08T14:00:00.000-07:00

Top business professionals and political leaders alike believe that allocating the necessary funds to help the world's poor will create potential consumers of U.S. goods and products. The assistance we provide for these growing economies will help the U.S. economy as well as create job opportunities domestically. The return on this investment certainly promises a high reward in more ways than one.

"Your future is in the global economy."

-Tom Donohue, CEO and President of U.S. Chamber of Commerce

-Georisa Chang

Aids Treatment, Is It Worth The Investment?

2011-10-07T08:43:00.000-07:00

What does the long-term future hold for the global fight against Aids and HIV? With a drop in funding, it is clear that Aids is a in a losing battle with wealthy governments. Cuts of course will be made in all areas, but many Aids campaigners are hopeful in that the UK will make up for the deficit in contributions to the Global Fund to fight Aids, TB, and Malaria.

Campaigners and treatment providers in poor countries do believe that if funding were to cease, there is concern regarding potential resistance to the Aids treatment if not administered continuously. This will no doubt set them ten steps back from where they first began.

With that said, a new study published by the free-access journal PloS One revealed that investing in Aids treatment programs will not only be the right thing to do to save lives, but it also makes an economic case in that it actually saves money. Treatments were given to 3.5 million people in 98 countries. The results showed that the benefits far outweighed the costs. Individuals who received treatment had a restored sense of productivity of those able to work again and are more able to provide and care for their families.

Spending $14.2 billion may seem a bit much to assist 3.5 million people with antiretroviral drugs, but with large health gains generated and economic benefits of treatment, it could more than double their initial investment. So, is it worth it?

-Georisa Chang

Source: The Guardian

Reduction Expected for Foreign Aid Due to U.S. Financial Crunch

2011-10-05T09:27:00.000-07:00

America's current state of financial distress is forcing the first significant cuts in overseas aid in nearly two decades. Advocates and officials believe that these measures reflect the country's decline in ability to influence the world.

In attempts to cap off the growing national debt, both the House of Rep. and the Senate have proposed cutting financing for the State Department and its related aid agencies. The sectors that will be impacted include: food and medicine for Africa, relief for disaster-affected areas such as Pakistan, and political and economic assistance for new democracies of the Middle East.

This financial predicament we are in threatens a foreign policy that emphasizes diplomacy and development, a complement to American military power. Also, it puts us a few steps back in the increase in foreign aid that President George W. Bush advocated for after the tragedies of September 11, 2001. With increase in international funding, hopes of reducing anti-American sentiment and roots of extremism would take place.

As quoted by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, "There is a democratic awakening in places that have never dreamed of democracy. And it is unfortunate that it's happening at a historic time when our own government is facing so many serious economic challenges, because there's no way to have a Marshall Plan for the Middle East and North Africa."

Only one percent of the federal budget is allocated to foreign aid. With already a small budget, further cuts here puts our nation at a further disadvantage compared to our fellow wealth nations in providing international assistance. Needless to say, c
uts will be made to government programs across the board. But the funding for the State Department and foreign aid has proven to be the single largest cut to any one department with a reduction of $8 billion in April.

Representative Kay Granger, a Republican from Texas and chairwoman of the House appropriations subcommittee overseeing foreign affairs said that the financial crisis faced has cornered us to make "a fundamental change" in how the foreign aid is spent.

While the final budget may remain uncertain, it is needless to say that foreign aid will decline for a second year.

-Georisa Chang

Source: The New York Times

Honoring Wangari Maathai, Nobel Peace Prize Winner and Life-Long Activist

2011-09-26T12:47:00.000-07:00

Newspapers all over the world today capture the news that Wangari Maathai, nobel peace prize laureate, social activist, and environmental crusader, has died at 71 after trying to fight off ovarian cancer for the past several months.

Maathai was the first among many categories in Africa and in particular in Kenya. She was the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. She was the first woman in east and central Africa to receive a PhD. She was the first woman professor at the University of Nairobi where she taught veterinary medicine. She was the founder of the Green Belt Movement, an organization that in her life time, helped to plant tens of millions of trees across the African continent. She was a strong believer in the connection between poverty and environmental degradation and she fought throughout her entire life to reverse this particular process.

She fought against powerful political leaders who were taking land away from citizens in order to deforest areas and introduce commercial plantations, projects that eroded the environment and decreased biodiversity. She was beaten and arrested many times throughout her life due to her strong-willed determination to see change. She fought on behalf of African women, the main producers of food for the population, and encouraged them to plant trees to protect water resources and crops, and to have a steady supply of firewood for cooking. In the process of planting trees, women received a stipend in order to supplement their efforts with income.

"Wangari overcame incredible obstacles to devote her life to service--service to children, to her constituents, to the women, and indeed all the people of Kenya--and the world as a whole," said Al Gore, another person well-known for his environmental advocacy efforts.

Her efforts will not be forgotten any time soon.

-Chelsey Dambro

Sources: The New York Times and Guardian.co.uk

Women in the World

2011-09-20T12:19:00.000-07:00

Check out this week's addition of Newsweek magazine, which features the progress of women throughout the world. There are many articles and interviews that are worth checking out including one that will be featured below about Hilary Rodham Clinton's belief that women play an essential role in the global economy:

When you became secretary of state, you said your mission was to improve the quality of life for the world’s women. Three years later, what’s your assessment of the progress made so far?

No society can thrive when half its people are left behind. We have seen what a difference it makes when women have access to education and health care, when they are free to start their own businesses or make their own decisions. As secretary of state, I have been working hard to integrate women’s rights as a cornerstone of our foreign policy. Women are key to the success of the Obama administration’s major development and economic-growth initiatives—from the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves to Feed the Future to the Global Health Initiative. But without basic protections, women are unable to realize their potential. The U.S. successfully advocated for a special representative to coordinate efforts to end sexual violence in areas affected by conflict. An administration National Action Plan will be released shortly to ensure women’s equal partnership in peace and security building. And in Afghanistan, for example, we have elevated the rights and concerns of women as a top diplomatic priority.

The global economy is teetering. How specifically does this endanger the progress of women?

The world needs to think more strategically and creatively about tapping into women’s potential for growth. Studies show that helping women access trade and grow businesses helps create jobs and boost incomes. The State Department and USAID have adopted and advocated for policies and programs—including public-private partnerships—to enable women to overcome barriers that impede their potential and to strengthen women’s entrepreneurship opportunities.

How difficult is it to preach to other nations about empowering women when organizations like the World Economic Forum rank the United States 19th of 134 nations in terms of gender equality?

Frankly, acknowledging our continuing efforts at home helps foster my dialogues abroad on how to change policies, implement programs, and mobilize resources to empower women and girls. While there is much more work that needs to be done in the U.S., women have full and equal political and legal rights and the ability to get an education, start a business, and make decisions about their lives. In too many countries around the world, women do not have these rights. They are often discriminated against, even brutally enslaved, or simply not able to contribute to society or realize their potential. We have an obligation to stand up for their rights.

Do you feel that when you leave the State Department, you’ll have more power to improve the lives of the world’s women and girls than you have had as the nation’s top diplomat?

Throughout my life and career, I’ve tried to support women and children in whatever position I’ve found myself. As secretary of state, I have been fortunate to be able to lend my energy to this important cause, because empowering women is crucial to the success of our development and diplomacy goals. When I leave this position, I will continue to look for ways to help more women and children realize their God-given potential.

(from Newsweek)

-Chelsey Dambro

Source: The Daily Beast

R4: Rural Resistance

2011-09-19T12:49:00.000-07:00

The new partnership between the World Food Programme, Oxfam, and Swiss Re has developed the R4 initiative with the idea in mind that it's cheaper to manage risks now for small-time farmers then to deal with crisis in the future. Due to factors including climate change, growing seasons are affected, farmers are unable to yield crops, which in turn creates more poverty and less food; a nasty circle indeed. With R4: Rural Resistance, weather insurance is provided to farmers in case they have an unsuccessful harvest and allows them to bounce back from a bad season and protects them from future bad seasons. "Rural resistance--it just makes sense."

-Chelsey Dambro

Source: World Food Programme

Real Aid Does The Magic!

2011-09-15T09:00:00.000-07:00

This piece of information is for those who are skeptical about foreign aid. According to the recent report by international NGO ActionAid, some of the world’s poorest countries, including Ghana and Mozambique, have become less dependent on foreign aid in the past 10 years. The report that measures how dependent developing countries are on outside assistance comments that providing more “real aid” that “has few strings attached” puts developing countries “in the driving seat of their own development.” The organization explains that “to qualify as real aid, the aid must be targeted at the poorest and the recipient country must be given the space to own and lead its own development plans. Real aid is not tied, is administered efficiently and is used in the recipient country.” The NGO also praises the United Kingdom, Denmark and Ireland for their focus on real aid.

There has been growing recognition among donors and other members of the international community for the need to change how aid is provided to some of the world’s poorest countries. The report also shows that the donors are focusing more on value for money now and getting positive results which are contributing to a reduction in developing countries’ aid dependency. But still there are some countries who have not adopted the real aid approach yet, such as, Germany and France. U.K. on the other hand has redesigned their aid structure in order to get better results. ActionAid’s head of economic and social development, Anna Thomas said, “Our research shows that more developing countries are becoming less dependent on aid and are able to rely increasingly on their own resources to deliver essential services. These results show we’re moving in the right direction — and means that good quality aid — real aid — is working.”

We all hope that real aid continues to work, and donor nations shift their focus more on real aid and less on substandard aid.

-Nisha Noor

SOURCE: DEVEX

The Journey of a Vaccine

2011-09-14T00:52:00.000-07:00

Living Proof | A Rotavirus Vaccine's Journey from ONE Campaign on Vimeo.

Follow the journey of a vaccine to Nicaragua to prevent rotavirus. This particular virus kills 2 million children a year but will soon be introduced to many of the world's poorest countries.

-Chelsey Dambro

Source: ONE Campaign

Innovative Ways To Deal With Maternal And Infant Mortality

2011-09-13T12:46:00.000-07:00

Two of the most important issues in Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are maternal and infant mortality. More than 350,000 women still die each year around the world from complications of childbirth, and 3 million children die in the first month of life which makes these issues a grave one. A new report from the U.N.'s Every Woman, Every Child Innovation Working Group presents some of the most capable and innovative projects that could help tackle these problems. The report sheds light on five interesting projects in developing region that other countries could use as models in fighting against high maternal and infant mortality.

Project: ColaLife, Zambia

The first one is Project ColaLife of Zambia which is a time and space saving project dealing with health supplies. ColaLife takes advantage of Coca-Cola's extensive supply chain to provide isolated communities in rural areas of developing countries with essential medical supplies. The medical supply kit filled with basic health supplies can fit into any unused crate space of Coca-Cola and are delivered to local contacts when beverage supplies are distributed. ColaLife is currently working on an anti-diarrheal kit that would carry rehydration salts, soap, water treatment tools and educational materials as Diarrhea, a preventable and treatable disease is one of the leading causes of death for children under five in the developing world.

Project: HERproject, Bangladesh, China, Egypt, India, Mexico, Pakistan and Vietnam

HERproject (Health Enables Returns) trains female employees at their workplace to teach their peers about reproductive health, nutrition, infectious disease and other health issues. The project operates in more than 70 factories manufacturing everything from Levis to Microsoft in above mentioned seven countries. The project also connects women to health services, either by improving in-factory clinics or directing women to outside government services.

Project: Cell-Life, South Africa

This project takes advantage of cell-phone technology and provides assistance to HIV-AIDS programs. In South Africa, 40% of children under five still die from AIDS-related diseases, partially because many mothers do not complete the mother-to-child prevention programs by taking the medication correctly. Cell-Life developed a 10-week program of text message reminders designed to help mothers remember when to attend appointments, and give medication. The program also tells the mothers how to safely feed their babies. The result of the trial so far suggests that mothers using the SMS program are more likely to get their babies tested for HIV.

Project: LifeSpring, India

This program works in low-income families in India who cannot afford regular maternal and child healthcare. LifeSpring developed a chain of hospitals for women who earn about between $3 to $6 per day. The facilities provide an all-inclusive maternal care package for about half or one-third what other private facilities might offer. The program breaks down complex processes into different tasks so that less-skilled professionals can perform some of the responsibilities.

Project: SMS for Life, Tanzania

SMS for Life is an innovative approach for dealing with shortage of medical supplies. A partnership between several private groups, including Novartis and the ministry of health in Tanzania designed the SMS for Life system in an attempt to end stock-outs. When a clinic in Sub-Saharan Africa runs out of malaria medication, it becomes a life-and-death issue for patients. It has been reported that SMS messages on stock levels, along with a data system used to map distribution helped reduce the proportion of health facilities reporting malaria medication shortages from 78% to 26% in just 21 weeks.

These are some innovative ways to deal with the maternal and infant mortality problems. Let’s hope that all countries dealing with these problems copy these models in their respective countries and achieve better results in future.

-Nisha Noor

SOURCE: PBS NEWSHOUR

Anti-UN Legislation Underway in Congress

2011-09-12T02:38:00.000-07:00

The UN first began under Franklin Roosevelt to bring together other nations as allies. Through the years, the UN and its agencies have sought international cooperation in law, security, economics, human rights, and social progress with the ultimate goal of one day achieving world peace. After nearly 70 years as an important leader of the UN, the US may forego its position.

Last week, representative lleana Ros-Lehtinen introduced H.R. 2829 that would threaten future funding to the UN from the US, which would therefore, cause the US to lose its leadership position. In opposition to the proposed legislation, the Better World Campaign has introduced the U.S. Lead Campaign in hopes to counteract H.R. 2829.

Peter Yeo, Executive Director of the Better World Campaign, said, "As the U.S. and the UN tackle serious security and political crises in places like Libya, Sudan, Iraq, and Afghanistan, and deliver critical humanitarian aid to those affected by natural catastrophes in the Horn of Africa, Haiti and Japan, it is absolutely irresponsible to cut off U.S. support for UN peacekeeping and for UN operations."

The UN is vital in providing security and long-term stability to the country and others around the world. By deploying UN peacekeepers to areas that could be a threat, the US is saving huge sums of money by not sending military personnel. In addition, programs like UNICEF and the World Health Programme that both play a major part in humanitarian efforts across the world may have to disband if funding from the US is cut off.

"Now is not the time undermine U.S. national security and turn our backs on the world. It is time for us, for the U.S., to lead," said Yeo.

-Chelsey Dambro

Source: Better World Campaign

9/11 Anniversary Events

2011-09-11T01:20:00.000-07:00

At 3:46PM today (9/11/11), a global event will be taking place via webcast where potentially millions of people can connect through the power of transforming fear to love, separation to unity. To find out more, see the facebook event below:

http://www.facebook.com/onebecomingone?sk=info

There will also be many other events happening in the Seattle area, specifically at the Seattle Center:

http://www.facebook.com/10plusSeattle

Please take part in honoring and reflecting on those who died 10 years ago while celebrating the lives that we share together now and into the future.

-Chelsey Dambro

New Development In Fighting Against Disasters

2011-09-10T09:00:00.000-07:00

The World Risk Report 2011 created by the U.N. University Institute for Environment and Human Security along with five German NGOs has launched a risk index that could help donors and aid agencies to have a better idea about the vulnerability of different countries to natural calamities. This index could help donors to effectively respond to disasters and come up with resilience-building initiatives to disaster-prone countries.

According to Jörn Birkmann, the scientific head of the team in charge of developing the index, “The index gives you all that information at a glance — showing the strength of a particular area’s capacity to adapt or cope in percentages, which is useful to communicate the strengths and weakness of a particular area when you are seeking funding from donors.”

The index focuses on a country’s economic, political and ecological factors in determining its response-capacity, and examines four key components: exposure to hazards, susceptibility to damage caused by potential disasters, capacity to cope, and existing adaptation strategies. The index identifies that the Vanuatu, Tonga, the Philippines, Solomon Islands and Guatemala are the top five counties that are most at risk of disasters.

-Nisha Noor

SOURCE: DEVEX

GOP Presidential Candidates: Views On Foreign Aid

2011-09-09T09:00:00.000-07:00

Foreign aid has always been a touchy issue in U.S. politics and it remains so in the 2012 Presidential campaign. While the Obama administration has emphasized the importance of foreign policy and diplomacy in order to strengthen America’s position globally, the GOP leaders have been less supportive of providing foreign assistance. The GOP Presidential Contenders for 2012 are not exceptions as well. Of all the declared candidates, only Mitt Romney has made foreign policy a somewhat important agenda in his campaign. According to Mitt Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, “The United States faces numerous challenges abroad. China is emerging, Russia is resurgent, and radical, violent jihadists seek our destruction. We must rise to these challenges to preserve our interests and promote peace. Mitt Romney believes that peace and prosperity around the world depend on a strong America. That requires a strong military, a strong economy, and a renewed diplomatic strategy that advances the cause of freedom, human rights, and opportunity.”

Among other declared candidates, Rick Perry, Michele Bachmann, Jon Huntsman and Newt Gingrich have sometimes talked about the importance of diplomacy and international cooperation in order to ensure national security, but have not provided any concrete agenda regarding foreign aid. While Perry believes that U.S. must strengthen its diplomatic relationships, and stand firm with allies against the common enemies, Bachmann is all for reducing the amount of generosity that Americans show toward other nations and focusing more on the national prosperity. Huntsman believes that the best long-term national security strategy is to rebuild the core at home, but Gingrich supports a unified grand strategy that will marginalize and defeat radical Islamists across the world in order to achieve victory for Americans.

All the GOP Presidential Contenders are up for maintaining peace and prosperity locally and globally, but the majority is doubtful about providing foreign assistance as a means for achieving stability.

-Nisha Noor

SOURCE: DEVEX

Identity for India's Poor

2011-09-08T02:56:00.000-07:00

Take a second to sit back and think about how proof of our identity plays a major part in our everyday lives. Without one, we cannot attend schools, open up a bank account, learn how to drive, get passports and IDs to travel between borders, have access to welfare and medicaid programs. Even obtaining a bus pass requires identification.

Recently, India has launched a program to begin identifying every one of its 1.2 billion citizens. The major goal of this project is to decrease inequality, especially in villages where the average person is nameless and faceless to the government at large. Software mogul, Nandan M. Nilekani, believes that the new system will be like a road, a "road that in some sense connects everyone to the state."

400 million people in India live in poverty. While resources are plentiful, organizations in India fail to give them to those in need in an effective way. In the end, many of these resources are then sold to private companies. With the new technology, the problems of allocation of resources and goods could be solved. People living in villages will not have to depend on local officials but instead, can obtain help directly from the state. In addition, by electronically verifying and keeping identification in a database, corrupt governmental officials will no longer be able to steal their citizens' benefits.

Obtaining identification from every citizen in India will not be an easy task to undertake but it will open many doors to those who could benefit having an ID to take out loans, obtain an education, receive medical treatment, and collect food rations.

Citizens are positive. A rickshaw driver who was previously anonymous in the eyes of the government will soon be receiving his ID in the mail. "It will show that I am a human being, that I'm alive, that I live on this planet. It will prove I am an Indian," he said.

-Chelsey Dambro

Source: The New York Times

Appeal from the Executive Director of ONE

2011-09-07T02:30:00.000-07:00

The UN recently released data that the famine has not yet reached its peak and will continue to get worse before the situation may begin to make a turnaround in early 2012.

Many international agencies believe that the famine, a disaster created not by nature but by humans, could have been prevented. After the last famine that attacked the Horn of Africa, safety measure were put in place to prevent another widespread humanitarian disaster. However, history is repeating itself once again, which is the argument that is put forth by Jamie Drummond, the executive director of ONE. Click here to see his appeal.

"We can’t just blame politics for their fate while sitting by and doing nothing. We must deal with the politics embedded into the way we deal with the crisis – the local issues that turn drought into famine, the regional complexities that make response slow and difficult, and the global neglect that means promises are rarely kept. We must learn these lessons and in the name of those who have died, declare this time for real: never again."

Let's do our part as global citizens. Please take the time to get in contact with your congressional leaders. See yesterday's blog post for an email template that can be sent so that life-saving food assistance programs will not be slashed in Congress.

-Chelsey Dambro

Source: africanarguments.org

Call Your Senators Or Send An Email To Congress NOW!

2011-09-06T12:05:00.000-07:00

Since the drought in the Horn of Africa, Americans along with the international community have shown compassion and sent much-needed food aid in order to confront the impending tragedy. This action is the direct result of your concern and efforts in support of WFP USA (World Food Program USA). The response to the earlier requests to contact your representatives in Congress has been overwhelming. Thousands of emails and phone calls have been made urging Congress not to cut funding for emergency food aid. We salute you for that.

However, we need your voice again in our fight for the world’s hungry. A House-passed bill proposes cuts in emergency food assistance program which is the most effective we have so far by 75% from 2008 levels. The Senate Appropriations Committee is scheduled to consider the agriculture bill on Wednesday, September 7.

Since the drought, 300 children under five have died every day. By now this number has increased to 29,000 children in total. By the time Congress comes back, more than 36,000 will have perished; equal to the number of children under five in our nation’s capital. Therefore, Congress' support for emergency food aid programs has never been more important

Call your Senators or write to the members of the Senate Appropriations Committee a letter now. You can find the necessary information here.

Your action will cost you less than 5 minutes but it will save thousands of lives in the Horn of Africa.

-Nisha Noor

SOURCE: WFP USA

Labor Day Resolution: Stop Child Labor!

2011-09-05T09:00:00.000-07:00

Child labor is one of the most important problems that the world is facing right now. Although the issue is not included in the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), its significance has made it the imaginary ninth goal. The prevalence of child labor in developing countries is shocking despite international rules and regulations. In 2008, it has been estimated that there were 215 million children working illegally in the eyes of international law, almost 14% of all the world’s children under 18. This percentage was 25% for Sub-Saharan Africa. Countries that have a particularly high incidence of child labor are Nigeria, Malawi, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Over the years the trend of child labor has shown a disappointing performance compared to other issues. This is due to the fact that child labor has always been an underestimated issue. The causes of child labor include poverty, migration and economic recession with poverty being the major cause. A number of countries in developing world are dependent on child labor for their economy. For example, the Uzbekistan government becomes an active agent in child labor by closing schools at harvest time. This institutionalized child abuse is evident despite international child labor laws outlined by International Labor Organization (ILO).

ILO has sponsored two key instruments of international law regarding child labor. First, the 1973 Minimum Age Convention 138 establishes the obligation for countries to work towards a minimum age of 15 for legal employment. Second, the 1999 Convention 182 for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labor calls on governments to identify and quantify the incidence of such child labor, backed by national plans for its elimination.

Although ILO plans to achieve this goal by 2016, we cannot be too optimistic about the outcome given the current situation. Let’s hope for a better result and raise awareness among people regarding the issue of child labor in this Labor Day.

-Nisha Noor

SOURCE: ONE WORLD

Ikea gives €43 million donation to help Somali refugees

2011-09-04T09:00:00.000-07:00

A charitable foundation linked to the Swedish furniture chain, Ikea has given the United Nations its largest ever private donation in the agency’s 60-year history (€43 million or £38 million) to refugees who have fled civil war and famine in Somalia. This huge sum of money will be used to expand the world’s largest refugee complex in Dadaab, Kenya over the next three years, according to UN officials. The complex was first opened in the early 1990s and designed to hold 90,000, but it now holds 440,000 refugees, including 150,000 who have arrived in the last few months. The refugee crisis is still growing fuelled by violence, drought and famine in Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia and Djibouti.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Antonio Guterres said that the donation would help up to 120,000 people fleeing a crisis that “continues to deepen with thousands of people fleeing Somalia every week”. UN officials also confirmed that the donation was examined with “due diligence” before it was accepted due to a recent controversy about the Nazi past of Ingvar Kamprad, Ikea’s founder.

-Nisha Noor

SOURCE: THE TELEGRAPH

More than 200,000 Are In Mortal Danger In South Kordofan

2011-09-03T09:00:00.000-07:00

Due to continuous humanitarian aid restriction by the government, more than 200,000 people in South Kordofan of Sudan will suffer severe malnutrition and mortality if actions are not taken. U.N. Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Valerie Amos warned that essential supplies have already been depleted in many parts of South Kordofan, where government forces have been fighting with the Sudan People’s Liberation Army North (SPLA-N). The situation has been worsened by the Sudanese government’s humanitarian assistance restriction as the government refused to allow international agencies to replenish stocks and deploy personnel for the past six weeks.

Amos’ appeal repeats EU aid commissioner Kristalina Georgieva and EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton’s pleas which calls for the lifting of aid restrictions to South Kordofan. The Sudanese government and the SPLA-N are requested to lift restrictions on humanitarian organizations so they can deliver aid to people in need and avoid this big tragedy.

-Nisha Noor

SOURCE: DEVEX

Call for Governmental Cooperation to Solve Global Water Crisis

2011-09-02T02:30:00.000-07:00

During the annual Water Week conference in Stolkholm, a report was given by the World Bank's water and sanitation programme (WSP) that said that the water supply coverage across thirty-two developing countries has risen by 13 percent between 1990 and 2008 and that sanitation coverage has increased by 11 percent. The conference ended by calling on governments participating in the Rio+20 summit in June 2012 to make strides in achieving "universal provisioning of safe drinking water, adequate sanitation, and modern energy services by 2020" to further increase improvements that are underway.

Water and sanitation improvement can be seen as an unglamorous problem to focus on when compared to building schools and hospitals in resource-poor areas. However, every $1 spent on sanitation can provide up to $9 in economic benefit. The improvement in basic health needs gives a person more energy to participate in the economy and make an effort to obtain an education.

According to the WSP, two factors are needed to increase the progress of water and sanitation access: one, mechanisms are needed to convert funding into something that can be used on-the-ground and two, funding also needs to be increased in order to overcome annual shortfalls.

Success is dependent on governments, NGOs, and financial institutions coming together with a shared vision. According to the UN's Green Economy Report, annual investment of $198 billion or 0.16% of the world's GDP is enough to to increase access to water and basic sanitation by two-fold over the next four years.

-Chelsey Dambro

Source: Guardian.co.uk

Success Story: Navyn Salem and Plumpy'Nut

2011-09-01T02:30:00.000-07:00

One of the greatest advancements in curing and preventing malnutrition in both children and adults goes by the name of Plumpy'Nut--a ready-to-eat concoction that combines peanut butter, powdered milk, sugar, minerals, and vitamins. Children on the brink of death from malnutrition have bounced back after consuming this wonder food product.

Plumpy'nut's history began back in 2009 when Navyn Salem founded Edesia in Providence, Rhode Island. Salem wanted to create a company that could create jobs and improve economies, as well as contribute to the malnutrition problem rampant in many parts of the world. The development of Edesia came during a time when USAID was looking for US non-profits that could produce ready-to-use foods that could address malnutrition problems.

Edesia focused on producing a product that could address the entire range of malnutrition that also can be made with locally grown raw materials. Since 2009 , 15 million pounds of Plumpy'Nut products have been produced for big and small organizations. In malnutrition hotspots like India, Niger, and Ethiopia, independent, local Plumpy'Nut manufacturers have developed, helping to encourage the country's nutritional autonomy.

Salem said that the biggest obstacle she has had to overcome is funding issues. "We know that every year there is significant need for products like Plumpy’nut, and that it is cheaper to respond sooner. But we “wait around” until there is a crisis. By then it is already too late for so many," she said.

Call your congressional leaders and encourage them to start increasing funds so that organizations like Edesia can continue to make products that can pull children out of malnutrition status.

"There is a huge need to better understand the impact one person can make, and I have faith in that fact. My own experience speaks to it. In our first year and a half of production, my small factory reached close to 600,00 children. That's from just a small dedicated team in Rhode Island. Think of what we can all do if we take action, " said Salem.

-Chelsey Dambro

Source: Christian Science Monitor

LA Regional Director Weds

2011-08-31T02:30:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to volunteer Robert Kandle and his wife, Kelly! The couple were married this month in California. Robert is a Los Angeles Regional Director for the Borgen Project and VP of Development at MWG Entertainment.

An Army of Good

2011-08-30T02:38:00.000-07:00

Real difference can be achieved with a dedicated group of people. By training 30,000+ high school-educated females about healthcare, Ethiopia was able to eliminate malaria by 50% and increase immunizations by 35% in five years. This is a great example of developmental growth that is occurring in Africa as we speak!

-Chelsey Dambro

Source: One.org

11-Year Old Boy Raises Fund For East African Crisis

2011-08-29T11:59:00.000-07:00

In order to help the victims of the recent famine and drought in the Horn of Africa, various countries and international aid agencies are stepping up. But they are not the only ones who are contributing. An 11-year old school boy aims to raise $13 million for the region.

Andrew Andasi from Ghana told the Agence France-Presse, “I saw a BBC documentary about Somalia and I looked to my father and asked why are they so lean and hungry like that. I thought, I should help them.” According to the source, Andasi has already raised $4,000 out of his $13 million target. Impressive, isn’t it?

Meanwhile, the Chinese government has pledged to step up its aid for the Horn of Africa through the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) by announcing a 4 million yuan ($623,000) donation to ICRC operations in the region. ICRC spokesperson for Somalia Yves Van Loo confirmed that the agency in collaboration with the Somalia Red Cross, has distributed more than 3,000 tons of food in eight provinces in southern Somalia.

In response to the East African crisis, another international aid organization, Save the Children, recently launched a mass feeding program for Kenyan children under 3 which also includes pregnant women and lactating mothers.

-Nisha Noor

SOURCE: DEVEX

Empowerment through Electricity

2011-08-28T12:28:00.000-07:00

A growing partnership between the UN and the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) could help in providing electricity to millions of people around the world who lack the means to access energy. Recently, UN Secretary-General Ban-Ki Moon met up with representatives of the NREL to check out sustainable energy innovations in Denver.

Some of these innovations include a solar blanket that can be laid out on the ground during the day, where sunlight can be soaked up and transferred over to batteries to be used when needed. These blankets can then be rolled up and stored at night, preventing theft. Another innovation being developed by the Solar Electric Light Fund (SELF) is a solar-powered drip irrigation system that can ease the burden of small-scale farmers.

Why the focus on electricity? UN agencies believe that electricity is a perquisite for meeting basic human needs. By providing access to energy resources, people are given a sense of empowerment. Lack of energy also means a lack in food security as irrigation becomes time-consuming and unpredictable due to weather patterns. The less time that it takes getting water means more time spent on agricultural activity and a better chance of producing surpluses to sell in the market.

The end-all goal of providing electricity to energy-poor areas is to ultimately enhance self-reliance. Farmers can start to purchase solar systems through micro-loans and companies like SELF can provide the training to keep projects running in to the future. With access to energy comes new ways to purify water, store vaccines and medications, promote small-scale agriculture, and support community growth.

-Chelsey Dambro

Source: denverpost.com and The Christian Science Monitor

Republican Senator Calls For More Aid To Middle East And North Africa

2011-08-27T09:00:00.000-07:00

When most of his colleagues are keen on reducing U.S. international affairs budget, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) feels that the United States should give more aid to North African and Middle Eastern countries that are currently undergoing political transition.

Sen. Graham, who was speaking before the Columbia Rotary Club in South Carolina said, “Foreign aid is a very complicated, controversial topic, particularly when you’re broke. But … it is good for the American people and the American government to reach out and help those who live in peace with us.”

Unlike the majority of Republican members of the U.S. Congress, particularly those in the House of Representatives, Sen. Graham, who is the ranking Republican on the Senate Appropriations subcommittee on State, foreign operations and related programs, appears to be one of few Republicans who support an increase in U.S. foreign aid spending. Recently he said that he is preparing a reform legislation that would provide $1 billion worth of U.S. aid to Egypt.

-Nisha Noor

SOURCE: DEVEX

Uganda Eliminates Tetanus!

2011-08-26T10:00:00.000-07:00

With the depressing reality of famine in the Horn of Africa, there is a sliver of good news in Uganda. The country announced that it has eliminated maternal and neonatal tetanus through a vaccinations campaign for women of childbearing age.

Tetanus is a potentially deadly infection that can occur if a baby's umbilical cord is cut with unclean tools or if a harmful substance is applied to the cord. In many African countries applying ash or cow dung to umbilical cords is a traditional practice and can be highly dangerous. When tetanus develops, child death rates are very high.

So how did Uganda move past this? According to a report from UNICEF between 2002 and 2009, 25 high risk districts in Uganda were targeted for intervention, and close to two million women received three doses of tetanus vaccines in those areas.

In 2010, Uganda had reported that it eliminated the disease. This year a validation survey tok place and confirmed Uganda's elimination campaign as successful!

-Gabrielle Gurian

SOURCE: ONE.COM

Famine in Africa

2011-08-25T11:39:00.000-07:00

This is a days worth of food for Tede Lokapelo.

Shocking right? I started to think about what I eat in a day. I eat almost every three hours.

How is it even possible to stay alive with such little food?

Right, its not.

Tede talked to reporters about the changes he has seen in his lifetime in Kenya, how the climate has become drastically drier and traditions have been lost.

"It used to rain. It was never dry like this. Now maybe it rains for a few minutes, a few hours, but the earth is too dry to absorb anything. This drizzly rain is useless. If you look a the ground it is not even wet."

"In this community there are people called rain makers to prolong the drought. But God feels so far away now, and these traditions don't work anymore."

"Back then we had everything. Even wild animals, lions, elephants, buffalo. The last time I saw a lion was 1971. In 1988 the antelope started dying. I miss those animals very much. Today I only have seven goats. I used to have 200.

"It is too difficult now to keep animals. Our strong dependence on livestock, our old way of life has gone."

Tell your Congress to support aid efforts in Africa. Nobody should have to live like this.

http://www.borgenproject.org/#!__contactcongress

-Gabrielle Gurian

SOURCE: OXFAM

Mosques Play A Major Role In Disaster Relief

2011-08-24T11:16:00.000-07:00

In Indonesia, the world's most disaster prone country with the largest Muslim population, disaster management experts say that mosques could act as more than just a spiritual refuge.

The physical structure of the mosque as well as the influence religious leaders have over society should be tapped in the event of a disaster.

"These religious leaders will be trained and inspired to touch the humanitarian side and cooperation between people to support development and relief of suffering as their message is so effective and well-recieved by communities," said Ali M. Noor Muhammad, the country director for Islamic Relief Indonesia.

According to a report by the IRI, the UN office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and Nahadiatul Ulama, it as a traditional Sunni islam organization in Indonesia that was the first to research the potential of mosques to have a role in disaster relief.

The country is home to over 600,000 mosques. A recent report by the head of Research and Development likened the country's mosques to a library with a whole lot of books, but in dire need of a catalogue with a coordination strategy.

The report though is seen as a important way to revitalize and empower mosques, while assisting society. The mosque could be a key element in disaster-risk reduction and a key element to save lives.

-Gabrielle Gurian

SOURCE: IRIN

Education Brings Opportunity

2011-08-23T09:30:00.000-07:00

Vittana, a fellow Seattle based non-profit, has successfully funded the education of 1,000 students in 10 developing countries. They have done this through micro-loans and donations from the public. The micro-loans are being paid from micro-donations from around the globe.

But these are not just donations, because education ultimately creates individuals that are better able to support themselves and their families. Vittana claims that its students earn nearly three times their original income after graduating. Bernarda Esmilsen Escobar, Vittana’s 1,000^th student, previously made $9 per day, but after graduating with a nursing degree, she should be making more than $20 a day. 99% of Vittana students repay their loans.

Now imagine this success on a larger scale. If donations can help fund the education of 1,000 students, imagine what money from a nation could do. Individual donors are extremely important in the fight against global poverty, but foreign aid from wealthier countries is also a necessary part. Countries have the ability to give much larger amounts of money. This means Vittana’s successes on a much larger scale.

-Sami Ressler

SOURCE: MASHABLE, VITTANA

A Small Act

2011-08-22T09:30:00.000-07:00

A SMALL ACT Trailer 2010 from Jennifer Arnold on Vimeo.

Inspiring Documentary. Learn more about it here.

Congressman Adam Smith Joins The Borgen Project

2011-08-21T13:45:00.000-07:00

Congressman Adam Smith, a long-time ally for the world's poor has joined The Borgen Project's Board of Directors. As Ranking Member of the Armed Services Committee, Smith is an influential member of the U.S. House of Representatives. With previous posts on the Foreign Affairs Committee and the Intelligence Committee, Smith has traveled to many of the most troubled nations on earth, including Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan and throughout Africa. Smith was first elected to public office at the age of 25 and is only the third person selected to serve as an Honorary Board Member for The Borgen Project.

Developing Nations Trade Amongst Each Other

2011-08-21T09:30:00.000-07:00

Nations like India and China have shed new light on south-south co-operation, developing countries sharing resources. As their economies have grown, these nations have increased their investments in parts of Africa and Asia. Currently, China and India account for one fifth of the global economy, and are said to make up one third by 2025.

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development estimated that, between 1996 and 2006, developing economies provided more than $17bn of foreign investment in Africa and $27bn of investment in Asia. This is not aid money, but rather an investment that the donor country will benefit from.

This mutual growth cannot happen through market forces and private initiatives alone, however. It is important to have policymaking and government action acting in these new economic ties. For example, China and India’s economic successes were achieved through the notion that domestic factors play a crucial role while market integration creates new opportunity for growth.

By building off one another, developing nations have a real chance for economic success.

-Sami Ressler

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN

Cell Phones Create Lifesaving Connections

2011-08-19T21:30:00.000-07:00

About 50 percent of the population in Honduras lives below the poverty line. It may be surprising that about 75 percent of the population owns or has access to a cell phone. Why would someone who struggles to get by each day spend money on a mobile phone?

The main purpose of a mobile phone is connection. For many of impoverished Hondurans living in rural areas, this connection could mean a great difference in livelihood. Not only do many people want to stay in touch with relatives and friends who have moved away, but also the mobile phone connects rural Hondurans to medical services even if they are miles away. They can reach doctors during a medical emergency, or even receive text message reminders on when to take medicine.

Cellular network providers have picked up on the emerging market that is the developing world. Digicel, a network provider in both Honduras and Panama increased its costumer base by approximately 46 percent last year. The company now has about 1.6 million subscribers between Honduras and Panama.

Digicel and other cellular networks have realized the potential that mobile phones have in the developing world, both for their company, and their costumers.

-Sami Ressler

SOURCE: HONDURAS WEEKLY

One Billion People Live In Chronic Hunger and IM MAD AS HELL!

2011-08-18T09:43:00.000-07:00

One Billion people live in chronic hunger across the globe.

If that number did not hit you the first time thats......ONE BILLION PEOPLE! No different than you or I other than where they were born.

I know that sometimes when figures such as these are this large people disconnect from them, like they are not understandable.

Well heres the break down.

There are 6.94 billion people on earth.

That means that about one in seven are dying of hunger.

Thats almost 15% of the global population.

Thats almost the population of India (1.15 billion).

Thats a little less than the whole population of Africa.

Thats almost three times the population of Canada.

Thats insane!

Watch the video and sign the petition!

Tell congress what you care about!

http://www.1billionhungry.org/

-Gabrielle Gurian

SOURCE: ONE BILLION HUNGRY

How One Cow Can Change A Life

2011-08-17T09:00:00.000-07:00

In Kenya, women are the backbones of the country. They feed the continent and keep hunger at bay through their enormous participation in the agriculture economy.

In Nakuru, a dairy farmer has managed to provide a living for herself as well as create enough work to employ others. She owns a small dairy farm and is contributing to food security in her community as well as food production. Her name is Teresia Riungu, and through her hard work, ingenuity and overall spunk, she has created an enterprise that has not only changed her life, but the lives of those around her as well.

Teresia was able to create a dairy farm with the help of USAID as part of the five year Kenya Dairy Sector Competitiveness Program implemented by Land O'Lakes.

Teresia was trained in ways to increase her milk supply, better ways to feed her cows, improve breeding and market her milk through this program.

Today her dairy farm is able to produce 35-40 liters of milk per day and supplies cash flow to her on a daily basis. She earns a total of $370 per month. Although this may seem miniscule to US standards, this is far above the one dollar a day that most Kenyans earn.

Similar dairy collectives can be found all over Africa. They work because farmers are able to earn greater incomes by bulking their milk instead of selling it individually. Through the collective the farmers are also able to receive training on breeding and feeding the cows.

Teresia is living proof that these types of programs work. Teresia has earned enough to open her own bank account and no longer has to rely strictly on her husband as a source of income.

Daily Action: Right now, 10 million people in the Horn of Africa are desperately in need of food, clean water and basic sanitation. As the bloggers meet with women farmers today, please sign the ONE petition calling on world leaders to urgently provide full funding to help people in the Horn of Africa, who are suffering from the worst drought in 60 years.

-Gabrielle Gurian

SOURCE: ONE.COM

Who Is Leading In Aid Efforts In The Horn Of Africa?

2011-08-16T10:02:00.000-07:00

Do you ever wonder who gives the most aid when tragedies occur? For example, who is the leading aid giving this year to the Horn of Africa?

You might be surprised by the numbers!

Canada -- 116%

Canada is the leader and has contributed more than their proportionate share to this crisis.

Italy -- 5%

Italy is lagging behind other states drastically. The government has committed less than $5m million. That is only $2 million dollars more than Sudan and still less than Belgium and Ireland.

United States -- 83%

The US is an aid giving leader to this crisis. The US has contributed $565 million.

Germany-- 26%

German has given much less. Although, the German public itself has already given $90 million in private donations, which is a beautiful demonstration.

Now the government needs to follow suit!

France -- 33%

Since France has food food security at the top of its list for the G20 this year it is also lagging in direct aid. It has not fulfilled its share of the UN appeal.

UK -- 208%

The United Kingdom is the true leader of the response to the crisis. It is contributing almost double of its fair share.

--Gabrielle Gurian

SOURCE: ONE.COM

How One Cow Can Change A Life

2011-08-15T13:30:00.000-07:00

In Kenya, women are the backbones of the country. They feed the continent and keep hunger at bay through their enormous participation in the agriculture economy.

Teresia was able to create a dairy farm with the help of USAID as part of the five year Kenya Dairy Sector Competitiveness Program implemented by Land O'Lakes.

Teresia was trained in ways to increase her milk supply, better ways to feed her cows, improve breeding and market her milk through this program.

Teresia is living proof that these types of programs work. Teresia has earned enough to open her own bank account and no longer has to rely strictly on her husband as a source of income.

-Gabrielle Gurian

SOURCE: ONE.COM

Hillary Clinton On Not Cutting Aid

2011-08-15T09:00:00.000-07:00

On Thursday, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton appealed for support for President Obama's embattled global farm aid-program. She stated that the reforms it promotes are the same preventive measures that are being used and getting results in East Africa.

Her appeal was in response to the potential steep budget cuts facing the administration's signature program "Feed the Future." The White House has requested $1.4 billion for the project in 2012. However, the House Appropriations committee has slashed several accounts, leaving the program with one-third less in funding.

Clinton stated that Africa has seen cyclical droughts for decades and that "it would be easy to throw up our hands." But, working with poor countries to provide things such as improved seeds and extension services is too important and saves lives.

Feed the Future is part of an international efforts to improve the productivity of small farmers in Africa and other developing areas.

"While some might say that this is a conversation for another time -- that we should worry about preventing food crises only after this one has passed -- I disagree," Clinton stated during a speech at the International Food Policy Research Institute.

"Right now, we must rededicate ourselves to breaking the cycle of food shortages, suffering and dislocation that we see playing out once again in the Horn of Africa."

Crises like these are completely preventable, and much less expensive for aid programs and the US government if preventative measures such as the Feed the Future program was implemented.

About 12 million people are starving in East Africa. Because of international agriculture programs, the number of Ethiopians that risk starvation has plummeted from 13 million in the 2002 drought to 5 million in the current disaster.

Still, 5 million people dying of starvation is atrocious. People do not realize how important these programs and how little we spend on them. And in addition, how much money would be saved if we actually invested in preventing these tragedies beforehand. Specialists knew for months that the drought was coming. But when did the world react? Not until after the shock had hit and millions were dying.

-Gabrielle Gurian

SOURCE: THE WASHINGTON POST

AID NGOs Under Attack

2011-08-13T11:17:00.000-07:00

This week Ecuador shut down 16 foreign NGOs because they failed to meet new government disclosure requirements. This is only the latest in a series of clampdowns on civil society groups in Latin American and elsewhere.

In Cambodia, policy makers have created restrictive rules on NGO registration that complicate the work of foreign development groups. Somaliland also has prohibited international donors from partnerning with foreign NGOs.

Countries including Bahrain, Iran, Sudan and Venezuela are among other countries that have tightened their grip on NGOs. Nonprofit workers are being monitored, harassed and even jailed.

According to specialists, this is due to the fact that governments around the globe are facing huge budget constraints. In an effort to improve aid effectiveness, donors are now stressing country ownership and as a result partnering directly with NGOs on the ground.

However, this can be more difficult on the ground than in theory. Often post-conflict or fragile governments view an independent civil society as a threat. This is why countries such as Rwanda and Kenya should be lauded for involving civil society in efforts to revise policies that govern NGOs. Other countries should also be encouraged to do the same.

Governments should be signing treaties like the African Charter on Democracy and Elections and Governance in order to be held accountable for increasing the role of citizens in political decision making. These unfriendly laws that are directed at NGOs need to be changed.

"NGOs need to be kept safe -- both domestic and international -- even in hostile environments."

-Gabrielle Gurian

SOURCE: DEVEX

Girl Up!

2011-08-11T12:13:00.000-07:00

Watch the full episode. See more PBS NewsHour.

The new United Nations Foundation campaign Girl Up! is spanning continents to help American adolescent girls make a difference in the lives of girls all over the world.

It is a campaign by girls and for girls. The goal is to build grass root support among American teens to help their peers in developing countries stay in school, out free from child labor and save from violence.

The idea is to inspire the youth, who in turn will inspire those around them. These young girls will be the next generations leaders and by getting them engaged, Girl Up! hopes we can strive for a better future.

The campaign is only one year old, but has already caught the attention of First Lady Michelle Obama. She recently invited Girl Up! girls to the White House.

Already, 200,000 girls have signed up across the US. All the money they have made is funding programs for girls in developing countries like, Liberia, Ethiopia and Guatemala.

It is a wonderful program that not only helps the young girls of developing countries that so desperately need it, but also engages American girls as well.

-Gabrielle Gurian

SOURCE: UN NEWS

Indian Companies Use Technological Innovation to Combat Poverty

2011-08-10T12:00:00.000-07:00

Some Indian companies have begun to focus their efforts on sustainable, low cost energy that could help reduce global poverty. Two companies in particular, Abellon Clean Energy and SELCO, have made this task a priority.

Abellon describes its companies approach as, “a social development platform with holistic approach to sustainable development at grass roots levels.” The company is looking into bio energy, biomass, waste management, and solar energy. Abellon believes it is important to make use of agricultural waste in order to increase crop yields. They also emphasize the importance of training and educating farmers in order to increase productivity and therefore economic successes. The company has reported collecting over 22,000 tons of cotton biomass from 50 villages and 8,000 farmers. This biomass can help make “Pellexo”, a sustainable fuel.

When SELCO was established in 1995, the company focused on providing solar lighting to India’s poor, but now has expanded to include cooking stoves. Fieldwork in rural villages showed SELCO the importance of an improved cooking stove. The new stove, designed by ‘Prakti Design Lab’ is 40 percent more fuel-efficient and produces 70 to 80 percent less smoke.

These companies, and companies like them, are doing important work in addressing both poverty reduction and environmental issues. In focusing on who the product is for and its purpose, they have found great success in their endeavors.

-Sami Ressler

SOURCE: SELCO, CLEANTECHNICA

Improving Rice Production For The Future!

2011-08-09T10:25:00.000-07:00

Rice is eaten by billions of people. It is a major source of calories for half of the world's populations. Rice cultivation also provides employment and income for hundreds of thousands of people all around the world.

This tiny grain provides enormous benefits for many societies, however all is not well in the world of rice.

Rice requires a great deal of fresh water and fossil fuels. In fact, about one-quarter to one-third of the world's annual supply of water goes to rice production. With the demand for water continuously rising (by 30% by 2030) this poses a major issue. Already nearly 3 billion people live in areas where the supply of water is much lower than the actual demand.

So, although many thousands of people rely on rice as their daily food or income, rice farming uses up large amount of precious recourses and emits greenhouse gases.

Thankfully, there are solutions, Sustainable Rice Intensification is one.

SRI is a set of alternative management practices that were developed in Madagascar. It increases the value of resources used to grow rice. Essentially, less resources are needed to produce rice and at the same time increases yields. Its pretty amazing!

SRI has been proven to be successful in over 40 countries globally and local governments are even beginning to support the method. Oxfam is working with communities in East and South Asia as the World Bank is assisting farmers in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

-Gabrielle Gurian

SOURCE: OXFAM

You Are Invited To Global Washington's Event!

2011-08-08T12:43:00.000-07:00

Global Washington, that supports global development sector in Washington state is hosting a special discussion of foreign assistance reform, principles in effectiveness, and the effect of reform on global development work. The event, "Reforming Aid, Transforming the World: A Discussion with Policymakers on US Foreign Assistance Reform" is on Tuesday, August 30, 2011, from 3:30pm to 5:30pm at University of Washington Seattle Campus, Kane Hall, Room 120. You can register for $10 here, http://globalwa.org/our-work/reforming-aid-policy-event/

The event will feature:
*U.S. Representative Adam Smith, Co-Chair of The Congressional Caucus for Effective Foreign Assistance.
*Gayle Smith, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director at the Security Council for global development, stabilization and humanitarian assistance. (invited)
*Kent R. Hill, Senior Vice President, International Programs, World Vision United States.

Everyone is invited to join this important discussion regarding The Congressional Caucus for Effective Foreign Assistance and The Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review, as these projects and directives will likely shape U.S. foreign assistance and the global development industry in the upcoming years since many policymakers believe that foreign assistance is an intregral part of the U.S. budget. You can find more details in their website.

-Nisha Noor

SOURCE: GLOBAL WASHINGTON