UN Deputy encourages tourism as method to end poverty

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

Idea Sharing = Incredible Inventions In India

Fifteen years ago Indian visionaries realized that they needed to move past the traditional grassroots method of extracting knowledge. They created a unique network to facilitate knowledge sharing in order to bridge the gap between creation and innovation in Indian communities. The key focus was 1.) technologies used for survival 2.) collective indigenous institutions for natural resource management and 3.) education at the primary level in regions high in illiteracy. Their goal was to inspire creative forces at the community level, and they did just that. They called it the Honey Bee Network.

Like bees live off the pollen of flowers, the Honey Bee Network is founded on the principle that information/knowledge sharing will contribute to the overall common good of society. The Network comprises a multimedia/multi-lingual team database of new innovations and ideas within the Indian community including biodiversity and herbal medicine. They mobilize the people through grass root and village meetings.

An astonishing innovation that spawned from this organization was the "amphibious bike" created by Mohammed Saiddullah. He needed a way to get to safety when his village was flooded, but there were no boats available. So, he created a boat that rides on water. Another incredible innovation is the "tree climbing apparatus" created by Appachan. This device allows him to move up and down the trees safely and quickly. The most publicized example is the "mini washing machine". Remy Jose created a pedal powered clothes washer that saves time and electricity. The ingenuity of these contraptions is clearly jaw dropping. If we could instigate this type of idea sharing elsewhere, along with the new innovations, who knows what the improvements in quality of life could be.

--Gabrielle Gurian

SOURCE: ITU Success Stories

The Gulabi/Pink Gang

Sampat Pal, a feisty and entrepreneurial woman from northern India, reached out to women in her community over 2 years ago, and formed what is called the "Gulabi Gang." Her efforts to fight for women's rights to education and economic opportunities are the result of a male-dominated, oppressive society. The gang has also fought for the rights of the poor in their region by fighting for subsidized grain rations. The government presence in Sampat's region has been known to be corrupt and susceptible to bribery.

-Clare O.

SOURCE: Al Jazeera English

Supporting Local Farmers

The United Nations World Food Programme has recently launched P4P, "Purchase for Progress." Under this new initiative, the organization has bought food from small-scale farmers for the first time in Kenya. The goal of the project is to support local farmers, but also to give the food to the community, especially people who can't afford it. It was launched in September 2008, but purchasing food in Kenya has been difficult to to drought and high food prices. The project has been made possible by contributions from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Howard Buffet Foundation, and donor governments.

Source: UN News Centre