With the holiday season right around the corner, the spirit of giving is resonating through the air. To compliment this, however, one particular country has made charitable events the focus of their efforts year round.
According to the “World Giving Index,” three main factors determine what “giving behaviors” are: donating money, donating time and helping a stranger. The “World Giving Index” was established by the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) in order to give a well-rounded sense of generous behavior across the globe.
Each country was asked a question pertaining to the three aforementioned factors, and the scores were derived from the average of the answers received. Once the averages were collected, the countries were placed into specific rankings centered on these scores.
Australia ranked the highest out of every country in the world, with a total world index score of 60 percent. This percentage demonstrates the amount of individuals who participate in one of the three generous acts on a monthly basis.
In a single month, the World Giving Index observed that two-thirds of individuals in Australia donate money to charity while also helping a stranger. Since 2007, the average global participation in charitable acts has steadily decreased. Australia has consistently maintained the highest average for giving for the last five consecutive years.
The benevolent values of Australia are promoted by their response to natural disasters that took place in 2010 and 2011. From these catastrophes came the Australian Charities and Not-for-profit Commission. Australian generosity is also attributed to the fact that they are one of few countries that has survived for more than two decades without an economic recession.
Since the financial year 2009-2010, Australians increased their giving by $248 million, giving $2.21 billion in 2010-2011.
Although Australia has an overall ranking as the most generous country, studies show that Ireland has the highest rate of donating money, beating out Australia 79 to 76 percent. Ireland is ranked as the second most giving country in the world according to the World Giving Index.
Top Five Most Generous Countries According to World Giving Index
1.) Australia
World Giving Index Score: 60%
Participation in donating money: 76%
Participation in volunteering time: 37%
Participation in helping a stranger: 67%
2.) Ireland
World Giving Index Score: 60%
Participation in donating money: 79%
Participation in volunteering time: 34%
Participation in helping a stranger: 66%
3.) Canada
World Giving Index Score: 58%
Participation in donating money: 64%
Participation in volunteering time: 42%
Participation in helping a stranger: 67%
4.) New Zealand
World Giving Index Score: 57%
Participation in donating money: 66%
Participation in volunteering time: 38%
Participation in helping a stranger: 68%
5.) United States
World Giving Index Score: 57%
Participation in donating money: 57%
Participation in volunteering time: 42%
Participation in helping a stranger: 71%
– Samaria Garrett
Sources: Insider Monkey, International Business Times
Photo: Mobile Cuisine
Recognizing the Legal Right to Food
Food is necessary to survival and proper nutrition. We all need it. It’s that simple. But despite its importance, access to food is still not universally viewed as a human right. The United Nations (UN) wants to change that.
According to Food Navigator, UN expert Oliver De Schutter believes that the right to food should be legally binding. Human rights currently recognized by the UN include the right to be free from slavery and servitude, the right to be free from cruel and inhuman punishment, the right to freedom of movement between countries, and the right to be recognized as a person. De Schutter wants the right to food added to that list.
De Schutter recently released a report in support of his position, entitled, “Assessing a decade of right to food progress.” In his report, De Schutter states, “Often, we labour under the misconception that the right to food is not like political rights, such as freedom of speech. But economic and social rights — to food, water, housing, social protection — are just as real, just as binding, and can be upheld just as legitimately in court.” South Africa, Kenya, Mexico, and Niger have already included the right to food in their constitutions.
By making the right to food a priority, countries can eventually begin to see long-lasting changes in the political, economic, and environmental sectors, De Schutter suggests. Eventually, these changes can help serve as permanent safeguards against widespread hunger. De Schutter believes countries should revise their laws, incorporating nutrition policies that attempt to take responsibility for the food supply.
India’s recent food policy is an example of how policy changes can help ensure the legal right to food. The north eastern Indian states of Assum, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Tripura are expected to begin implementing the country’s National Food Security Act around the middle of 2014.
According to First Post India, state food ministers have taken the first steps toward the construction of an administration building for the state-run Food Corporation of India. The food law, passed by Parliament last year, will give 67% of the population the right to subsidized food grains. India will need 62 million tons of food grain annually in order to implement its food law.
– Cavarrio Carter
Sources: The Daily Meal, Food Navigator, First Post India, United Nations, Mail Online India
Photo: Web Governments
5 Way to Reduce Food Waste
The average American throws away around 25% of his purchased food and beverages. For a family of four, this percentage of waste can amount anywhere from $1,365-$2,275 every year. With food expenses ranking as the third biggest expense for American households, it is important to practice food conservation, especially when there are countries around the world struggling to feed their people. Below are five things that you can do to reduce the amount of food waste in your life.
1. Plan meals on a weekly basis
While it may not be the easiest thing to do every week, it is important to have some kind of organization for your weekly meals. This way when you go to the grocery store you know exactly what to buy and you end up wasting less throughout the week because you know what every food item is going to be used for.
2. Pick the produce that may not be the prettiest
In some places such as Kenya, strict guidelines are being enforced regarding the aesthetic appearance of produce. Because we are bombarded with images of the perfect apple, tomato, or other forms of produce we naturally seek lookalikes while shopping. The demand for “pretty” produce is causing vegetable exporters in Kenya to dispose of 40% of their produce. Buy the misshapen potato, it may not look like the rest, but it will taste just fine.
3. Rotate the items in your pantry
When you come home with a new load of groceries don’t just stick it in front of what’s already in the fridge or pantry. Rotate the old food to the front so you have a better chance of using it before it gets old.
4. Use small serving sizes
It is easy to look at a big meal and let our eyes decide how much to serve rather than our stomachs. Start with small servings, if people are still hungry they can always get seconds. Oftentimes we eat a lot less than we expect when we’re hungry. With smaller portions you can wrap up the leftovers and store them in the fridge for next time.
5. Let your senses do the deciding, not the label
Expiration dates on food are a huge reason why Americans throw away so much food. We abide by the date, assuming that the food or beverage instantly goes bad the minute it turns the date labeled on the box. In many cases, the food or beverage is still edible well after the expiration date, just use your senses to make sure. We could eliminate up to 20% of food waste if there was a clearer labeling system in place for expiration dates.
– Chante Owens
Sources: The Cultureist, US News
Photo: National Geographic
Top 5 Most Charitable Countries
With the holiday season right around the corner, the spirit of giving is resonating through the air. To compliment this, however, one particular country has made charitable events the focus of their efforts year round.
According to the “World Giving Index,” three main factors determine what “giving behaviors” are: donating money, donating time and helping a stranger. The “World Giving Index” was established by the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) in order to give a well-rounded sense of generous behavior across the globe.
Each country was asked a question pertaining to the three aforementioned factors, and the scores were derived from the average of the answers received. Once the averages were collected, the countries were placed into specific rankings centered on these scores.
Australia ranked the highest out of every country in the world, with a total world index score of 60 percent. This percentage demonstrates the amount of individuals who participate in one of the three generous acts on a monthly basis.
In a single month, the World Giving Index observed that two-thirds of individuals in Australia donate money to charity while also helping a stranger. Since 2007, the average global participation in charitable acts has steadily decreased. Australia has consistently maintained the highest average for giving for the last five consecutive years.
The benevolent values of Australia are promoted by their response to natural disasters that took place in 2010 and 2011. From these catastrophes came the Australian Charities and Not-for-profit Commission. Australian generosity is also attributed to the fact that they are one of few countries that has survived for more than two decades without an economic recession.
Since the financial year 2009-2010, Australians increased their giving by $248 million, giving $2.21 billion in 2010-2011.
Although Australia has an overall ranking as the most generous country, studies show that Ireland has the highest rate of donating money, beating out Australia 79 to 76 percent. Ireland is ranked as the second most giving country in the world according to the World Giving Index.
Top Five Most Generous Countries According to World Giving Index
1.) Australia
World Giving Index Score: 60%
Participation in donating money: 76%
Participation in volunteering time: 37%
Participation in helping a stranger: 67%
2.) Ireland
World Giving Index Score: 60%
Participation in donating money: 79%
Participation in volunteering time: 34%
Participation in helping a stranger: 66%
3.) Canada
World Giving Index Score: 58%
Participation in donating money: 64%
Participation in volunteering time: 42%
Participation in helping a stranger: 67%
4.) New Zealand
World Giving Index Score: 57%
Participation in donating money: 66%
Participation in volunteering time: 38%
Participation in helping a stranger: 68%
5.) United States
World Giving Index Score: 57%
Participation in donating money: 57%
Participation in volunteering time: 42%
Participation in helping a stranger: 71%
– Samaria Garrett
Sources: Insider Monkey, International Business Times
Photo: Mobile Cuisine
SoulShine Colombia: The Yoga Clean Water Project
Patti Quintero and Michelle Frohlich-Klinger, creators of SoulShine, are proud to join forces with Waves For Water on a new effort to eradicate poverty in rural communities. This year, they have chosen to help women and children have better standards of living, food and water in one of the most impoverished communities in Colombia. Their goal is to eradicate poverty in Colombia’s rural communities. According to SoulShine’s official statement, the project “will be hosted at CNN Hero Catalina Escobar’s JUANFE, a non-profit organization that addresses the high rates of infant mortality and teen pregnancy in Colombia.” In addition, SoulShine Colombia will focus on providing water filters to over 100 women and families. “We will also work to empower the community by sharing a simple philosophy that we can all tap into our inner strength, wisdom, and joy through the practice of yoga, meditation, and mindfulness,” said Patti Quintero.
Moreover, SoulShine Colombia, also seeks to empower women in these communities. According to Quintero, “SoulShine Colombia will be traveling to Cartagena, Colombia to work with one of the most impoverished communities in Colombia. This journey will involve teaching the young mothers and pregnant women yoga, meditation, and mindfulness helping them tap into their inner strength and life force. Manduka was happy to donate yoga mats for the participants to use.”
Clean water will be created through new filters provided by the Waves for Water organization. According to Waves for Water “these filtration systems are portable, easy to use, easy to pack and effective. One filter can provide 100 people with clean water for up to 5 years. With these filters, dirty water becomes instantly clean – and drinkable.” Together with Waves for Water, SoulShine Colombia will provide a new, health focused method to keep Colombian women happy, and healthy and help rural communities gain access to clean water. The project is expected to launch this month.
– Stephanie Olaya
Sources: Waves for Water, Manduka
In Memory of Paul Walker – A Famous Hollywood Star and Active Philanthropist
Much of the world has been shattered and shocked by the news of Paul Walker’s untimely death-a Hollywood star whose light was snuffed out far too soon.
Earning his star power through highly successful movies such as the Fast and the Furious franchise, Paul Walker lead Hollywood as an effective leading man with his charismatic personality and smoldering good looks.
Yet beyond the screen persona and steely blue eyes was a beloved philanthropist who devoted himself to extensive charity work that outreached numerous people in need.
At the time of his death, Walker was in attendance at his own charity event- the Reach Out Worldwide charity car show in Valencia, California. He hosted the event in hopes of collecting donations to assist those affected by Typhoon Haiyan and the Illinois tornadoes.
Before setting out on the car ride that would result in his tragic death, Walker had been overjoyed to find that the gathering had accumulated a great turnout in both attendees and donations.
An attendee of the event and a longtime friend of Walker’s, Bill Townsend spoke to People magazine about Walker’s very kind and approachable demeanor at the event, stating: “Paul was standing around like he was just one of the guys. He’s one of the most grounded people you could ever imagine.”
As an individual who highly succeeded in staying grounded, Walker had many charities and causes that remained linked to his root of devotion.
Reach Out Worldwide (ROWW) reigned as an active source of his philanthropic endeavors, as a nonprofit organization he founded himself after observing the lack of resources for immediate relief response for the 2010 Haiti earthquake.
According to the charity’s web site, ROWW Is a “network of committed professionals with first responder skill-set,” that has “developed Standard Operating Procedures that facilitate arriving quickly, clearing access, providing basic necessities and medical assistance.”
Walker championed the nonprofit with much devotion and enthusiasm, often working “under the radar” when traveling on behalf of his organization and actively lending his services to areas in need.
Following the earthquake in Haiti in 2010, Walker assembled a team of first responders and headed to the most devastated areas to deliver supplies and medical aid.
In that same year, Walker traveled with a team to Chile, delivering water and medical aid to tsunami victims.
Yet foreign countries alone were not the extent of Walker’s charitable outreach. Following the tornado that hit Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Walker headed to the state and helped victims get back into their homes by running a chainsaw to clear debris.
Fellow colleagues in his charity observed that Walker preferred his anonymity when pursuing charity work, and never shied away from rolling up his sleeves and risk getting a little dirty to achieve productive results.
From the year if his charity’s inception to his very last living moment of earth, charity was the forefront of Walker’s mind.
Although many are saddened by Walker’s untimely passing, his legacy and his devotion to giving shall continue to live and prosper through his surviving charity.
Universal Studios recently announced that it shall donate profits accumulated from Fast and Furious 6 DVDs towards Walker’s charity organization- giving fans the chance to celebrate and honor both his work in film and philanthropy.
– Kaitlyn Boisvert
Sources: People, Moviepilot, LA Times
Photo: Real Big Faces
5 Celebrities Who Help Fight Poverty
In the fight against global poverty, having the resources to fund projects and the public platform to advocate for change can help effectively implement programs and bring much needed awareness to the cause. For many celebrities, ending global poverty has been a cause worth fighting for. Many have used their fame and wealth to help those in need. These five celebrities have helped the global effort to end poverty and reduce the suffering of the world’s poor.
When it comes to public personalities who capture our attention with their art, Lady Gaga tops any list of performers. Lady Gaga is an active philanthropist whose support of human rights concerns and vocal support of the LGBTQIA community has allowed her to become a legitimate voice for those who cannot speak for themselves. Gaga has partnered with Virgin Mobile to benefit homeless youth and has also partnered with The National Alliance to End Homelessness and Re*Generation. Gaga has also donated generously to survivors of the Haiti Earthquake and has utilized her live tours to advocate for social justice.
Angelina Jolie is not only a celebrity, but a global ambassador who actively fights for those impoverished, disenfranchised, and vulnerable to humanitarian crisis. Jolie regularly works with refugees around the world and makes frequent visits to victims of natural disasters. The Jolie-Pitt Foundation, which she started with Brad Pitt, aims to eradicate extreme rural poverty. She has been recognized by the United Nations as a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, and has received numerous awards for her efforts.
Jay-Z may be known more for his rhymes and success as a music executive; however the rapper is also a philanthropist. He has worked to help raise awareness of the global water shortage. He met with Kofi Annan in 2006 to use his tour to bring public exposure to the cause. He went on site to produce a documentary on the topic of the global water shortage – Jay-Z: Water for Life. In addition to his efforts bringing awareness to issues of security and poverty, Jay-Z has also generously donated to the relief efforts after Hurricane Katrina.
Leonardo Dicaprio is a well-known advocate of humanitarian and environmental issues, and frequently utilizes his celebrity to help those in need. The actor is actively involved in a variety of causes and organizations, ranging from blood diamonds to conservation. Dicaprio’s celebrity and generosity have taken up issues of poverty and those related to it. He supports several charities and nonprofits including Feeding America, SOS Children’s Villages, and the Leonardo Dicaprio Foundation.
Funny-lady, popular TV show host, and comedienne Ellen DeGeneres has also joined the cause of fighting global poverty. She is well known for her warmth and generosity to her fans, and this extends to those in need as well. DeGeneres has worked to benefit Feeding America and supports the Red Cross. She has received numerous awards for her efforts and has partnered with other celebrities, such as Ben Affleck, to help those in need.
– Nina Verfaillie
Feature Writer
Sources: Look to the Stars, The Borgen Project
Photo: Blog Spot
Manny Pacquiao Fights for the Philippines
Manny Pacquiao is much more than a national sports hero for the people of the Philippines. He is a sign of resolve, strength, and hope in the face of a horrific disaster.
On November 23, Pacquiao began his boxing comeback against Brandon Rios in Macau for the WBO Welterweight title. Leading up to the fight, Pacquiao proclaimed that he would dedicate his effort in honor of the victims of the devastating typhoon that hit the Philippines earlier this month. Pacquiao almost always dedicates his fights to the people of his native country, but this time, that dedication had special meaning.
When the typhoon hit, Pacquiao was embroiled in his brutal training schedule leading up to the match. In lieu of abandoning his training to visit the region, Pacquiao decided to push forward in order to win the match and give the people of the Philippines a much-needed reason to celebrate.
The “super typhoon” that ravaged the Philippines is one of the most deadly and tragic national disasters in global history. Typhoon Haiyan, as it has been named, is responsible for 3,976 deaths, 1,598 missing persons, and 18,175 injuries, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. The brunt of the damage was felt in the Eastern Visayas region. The region’s largest city, Tacloban, is unrecognizable from the structural damage and the breakdown of communication systems.
But as an example of the importance of “Pac-Man,” Manny Pacquiao’s nickname, to the people of the Philippines, the country’s leaders worked with Sky Cable to telecast the match at a local sports stadium in Tacloban for all to see. Even in the face of such historic destruction, a Pacquiao victory would provide an “opportunity for us to relax and unite as a people,” says Eduardo del Rosario, Civil Defense Chief of the Philippines.
Pacquiao delivered. In a unanimous decision, Pacquiao defeated Brandon Rios for the championship belt, and with it, gave the Philippines a cause for cheer. While a victory in the ring, unfortunately, cannot undo the devastation of Typhoon Haiyan, it does embody the indomitable spirit of the Philippines.
– Taylor Diamond
Sources: Boston Herald, Huffington Post
Photo: HBO
Can This Straw Save the World?
Water is Life founder Ken Surritte was on a well-drilling trip to Africa in 2007 when he realized the limitations of using this method of providing clean water alone. After building a well for an orphanage outside of Kisumu, Kenya, Surritte was surprised to find that kids were still getting sick. The culprit was a “drinking fountain” at the local school which was actually a stagnant pond. Surritte wondered what he could give kids to take to school with them, and the idea for a portable filtration straw was born.
884 million people around the world do not have access to clean water, resulting in 6,500 deaths from waterborne diseases like typhoid, cholera, dysentery, E-coli, guinea worms, and diarrhea every day. Children under five are at the greatest risk. In fact, diarrhea is the second leading cause of death among this age group in the world, and a child dies every 21 seconds from this preventable disease.
Water is Life is a nonprofit that works to distribute its WiL filtration straws to communities in need across the world. The straws, which are made of a hard plastic and measure ten inches long and one inch in diameter, come on a lanyard for easy transport. The straws use a combination of membrane filters, iodine crystals, and charcoal filters to purify water, filtering out harmful waterborne illnesses and particles as small as 15 microns. The WiL straws work just like an ordinary straw: users place the straw in a water source and suck, drawing water through the filtration components until clean water reaches the mouth. They can clean a minimum of 800 liters of water, and on average, a straw will last one person a year. The straws clog internally when no longer effective. These life saving devices cost only ten dollars each.
The WiL straw is just the first part of a comprehensive plan to provide sustainable clean-water solutions to communities around the world, and is meant to provide immediate relief to communities while longer-term solutions are sought. After straws are distributed by Water is Life teams on the ground, the teams get to work evaluating and developing a plan to provide a sustainable, pure water source within one year, using technologies like wells and point-of-use filters. Teams also provide hygiene and sanitation education in community centers and village schools. This unique “crawl, walk, run” approach allows for immediate intervention and long-term prevention of waterborne illnesses, saving lives now and in the future.
Water is Life has been hugely successful in the four short years since it began distribution of straws and implementation of its sanitation programs. The non-profit has worked in North and South America, Asia, and the Middle East, distributing over 60,000 straws in 32 countries, and has plans to grow the program.
For those looking to get involved, Water is Life provides many volunteer opportunities for individuals and groups, ranging from speaking at schools to get students involved with campaigns, to repackaging filters at the organization’s Oklahoma office, to traveling to help distribute WiL straws and other life-saving materials on the ground. Have the money, but not the time? Just ten dollars provides someone in need with immediate and long-term access to clean drinking water. Check out waterislife.com for more ways to help.
– Sarah Morrison
Sources: Water is Life, Oklahoma City News
Photo: Seasons for Life
Imagine There’s No Hunger Campaign
The Imagine There’s No Hunger campaign is in its sixth year this year. The goal of the campaign is to help children in impoverished regions who suffer from hunger and poverty related issues. The campaign was inspired by John Lennon’s vision for a world at peace and without hunger; it teaches children all over the world to recognize their own power in making a difference in their living conditions and food scarcity. The campaign encourages rural families in impoverished communities to grow their own food, offering sustainable agricultural programs and training in 34 grassroots organizations. Spearheaded by Hard Rock International and WhyHunger, the campaign has accomplished huge gains in the war on poverty. This year, Yoko Ono Lennon has teamed up with Hard Rock International and is advocating for widespread support for the campaign. Thus far, the Imagine There’s No Hunger campaign has provided enough food in communities to ensure 5.5 million meals for children in 22 countries.
In the months of November and December, the campaign receives special media attention as they encourage the public to get involved in their mission and make donations to help end world hunger for children. A number of musicians have joined the Imagine There’s No Hunger campaign, and participate in fundraising concerts and visits to grassroots organizations. The musicians involved in the campaign use their star power to help bring fans on board with Imagine There’s No Hunger.
By working with grassroots organizations across the world, Imagine There’s No Hunger helps to develop agricultural systems in places that have a weak agricultural condition. The campaign encourages healthy eating and homegrown food; they have helped launch programs that feed children farm-fresh food and teach farmers the proper methods of farming. Imagine There’s No Hunger doesn’t just want to supply a quick order of food for starving countries, but help implement systems and training programs so that countries can subsist on their own and receive income well into the future.
This year, the Imagine There’s No Hunger campaign wishes to make a greater impact than ever before on children living in poverty. With the help of teammate Yoko Ono Lennon, the campaign has received an increase in public attention and advocacy. Ono is scheduled to make an appearance in December in Tokyo to continue her goal of rallying support for the campaign.
– Chante Owens
Sources: Imagine Peace, Why Hunger
Photo: Daily Mail
Shakira’s Philanthropy Doesn’t Lie
Over the course of her career, Colombian recording artist Shakira has been nominated for five American Grammys and eight Latin Grammys, both of which are among the highest honors in the music industry, and has amassed an estimated net worth of a staggering $200 million. However, despite her international fame and incredible fortune, Shakira remains an avid humanitarian, having initiated and participated in many charity organizations, particularly those that target her home country of Colombia.
After solidifying her position as a true Latin American music star with the release of her critically-successful breakthrough album, Pies Descalzos, Shakira founded the Pies Descalzos Foundation (Barefoot Foundation) in efforts to aid the impoverished children of Colombia. While growing up in her native country, Shakira made it a mission to serve the country’s poor after watching children make homes out of park benches and street corners.
The extent to which early experiences impacted Shakira’s humanitarian motives is manifested in the name of the non-profit, non-governmental charity organization. Pies Descalzos not only pays homage to the album that launched Shakira’s musical career but also recognizes the thousands of children who are far too destitute to even afford shoes
One of the overarching goals of Pies Descalzos is improvements in international education quality – an opportunity that can enable needy children to break out of the confines of squalor. Pies Descalzos provides children with the opportunity for attaining an education and necessary tools for survival, such as food, that they otherwise would have been unable to access.
Since 2003, the foundation has launched six schools in Colombia that provide support to impoverished children and their families by providing education, food, and financial support. Also founded by Shakira, the Barefoot Foundation in America, rather than focusing its efforts solely on Colombia, takes its aid worldwide, promoting universal education.
After receiving honors from the United Nations in 2006, Shakira reinforced the urgency and importance of Pies Descalzos and other charity foundations by stating, “Let’s not forget at the end of this day when we go home, 960 children will have died in Latin America.” With her adamant support of global education and passionate efforts towards eradicating hunger and poverty, Shakira has demonstrated that the power of music can travel far beyond entertainment purposes to serve inspiring humanitarian purposes.
– Phoebe Pradhan
Sources: Ace Show Biz, Celebrity Net Worth, People
Photo: People