Archive for category: Global Poverty

Key articles and information on global poverty.

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Israel’s Early Childhood Development Education Program

Israel's Early Childhood Development Education Program
Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation (MASHAV) recently completed training forty Ghanaian teachers in an early childhood development course. Thanks to the Embassy of Israel, Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) and the Ghana Education Service (GES), over a hundred teachers have now been trained to teach preschool and kindergarten in Ghana.

The extensive program lasted for two weeks and focused on early childhood education. Teachers left the program with a higher knowledge of children’s learning principles, the needs of young children, what curriculum to teach, and appropriate games. By giving special attention to young students, Ghana hopes to build a better foundation for its future workforce and overall societal well being.

This partnership between Israel and Ghana will likely produce hundreds more early education teachers, something for which Ghana is desperate. Not only will more teachers be trained in Israel, but those who completed the program will go on to spread their new knowledge to other teachers in Ghana, thus creating a web of well-educated preschool and kindergarten teachers throughout the country.

The Early Childhood Development Education program is now in its fourth year in Kumasi and its second year in Accra. Both countries expect to have a long relationship as they continue to see positive results in Ghana’s early education system.

– Mary Penn

Source: GBN
Photo: Flickr

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Les Misérables

LesMiserables
The World Bank’s Director of Economic Policy and Poverty Reduction Programs for Africa, Marcelo Giugale, recently wrote about the current progress and development around the world in regards to extreme poverty. He explains that the 2013 World Development Indicators (WDI) have recently been released, evincing the status and evolution of people who live on $1.25 or less. Giugale’s detailed description of what it would be like to live on such a meager number really captures the essence of poverty and contrasts it with the expectations, advancement, and materialism of the 21st century. It allows the reader to visualize life in another light, one that is much different than what would be expected from the 21st century. Giugale writes, “If you had something that could be called a house — [it] would have no electricity, gas, running water or sewer.”

Out of the world’s human population of 7 billion, 1.2 billion live in extreme poverty. However, Giugale expresses his optimism in commenting on how it has been proven through one region’s shift away from poverty that rapid economic growth can tackle poverty. For example, in the past 20 years through 2010, China’s fast economic growth played the main and most prominent role in lifting approximately 700 million people out of poverty. Giugale also sheds light on the fallacy that the 2008-2009 global financial crisis raised extreme poverty; that is not true, according to Giugale. The financial crisis “if anything…only slowed [down] temporarily the downward trend that extreme poverty had been on.”

The Director also shares that although almost half of all Africans still live in extreme poverty, the rate of poverty declined from 60% in 1993 to 48% in 2010. Taking into account economic growth while noting that Africa is home for a third of the world’s extreme poor emphasizes that growth is not enough; that much more can be done. Finally, he comments that, according to the World Development Indicators’ predictions, 250 million people will be lifted from poverty by 2015 (mainly people in South and East Asia).

It is intriguing to note the title of Marcelo Giugale’s article, Les Misérables, because it denotes a certain theme. In Victor Hugo’s novel Les Misérables, the story’s structure is described as a “progress from evil to good, from injustice to justice, from falsehood to truth, from night to day, from appetite to consciousness, from corruption to life.” Those deep words parallel Giugale’s point that more can be done, and that it is not costly for governments of countries with plenty of natural resources to alleviate their people’s misery. It is time to progress from injustice to justice, from hell into heaven.

– Leen Abdallah

Source: Huffington Post, Liturgy
Photo: Google

Why Don’t People Give More?

Why Don't People Give More?
Sometimes it seems that every single non-profit and charity organization is after our money. Whether through sales calls, emails, social media campaigns, most people cannot go a single a day without a request for money or mobilization. Out of frustration and plain confusion many people may just call it quits and drop any efforts of giving to avoid creating a domino effect. However, there are six simple ways of easing the overwhelming feeling and encouraging people to give more. Peter Singer’s The Life You Can Save book and campaign discusses this very topic in hopes of creating excitement around donating time and money.

1- Identifiable Victim

With numbers of those living in poverty falling between one to three billion people, it’s hard to focus in on one victim that a donor’s money would benefit. Many organizations work in different areas and reach out to hundreds and thousands of people. To create a narrow scope, it is more effective to use case studies and personal stories of individuals that have benefited from the donations or will in the future. For example, the microloan organization kiva lists individuals, their stories, and the exact monetary aid they require.

2- Sense of Fairness

It’s the mob mentality at its finest… or worst in this case. In terms of money, people don’t want to be the only ones whose bank accounts diminish (quite dramatic of a worry, especially in the case of your average donor who stays below the 3-digit limit). Regardless, they’ll be more willing to give if they know others are as well. And when referring to others, it doesn’t mean reading headlines or watching videos of celebrities and other millionaires donating. Donors need to see people from their socio-economic levels, or below, opening up their wallets despite the economy, and giving.

3- Parochialism

“It hits close to home” is a common explanation many use as to why they donate to one cause and not another. A valid explanation but this should not limit the geographical scope of where a donor’s money goes to. Using tools such as videos or even bringing donors and donees together, if feasible, is something that will create a stronger human-to-human connection, regardless of where each of them are from.

4- Money

People love it. They want it. Songs have been written about it by Jay-Z and ABBA alike. But when it comes to actually using the word to ask for donations, it’s definitely not a fan favorite. Instead, try asking for time or support that can be given in other ways before asking for money. The key is to show that a difference can be made and that the organization isn’t just looking for financial help (although at some point it will need it).

5- Diffusion of Responsibility

Same with the idea of fairness and the ‘mob mentality,’  its important to illustrate that everyone can and should do their part in whatever way fits their lifestyle. Be careful to not guilt trip a person if a certain method or route is not their choice but be sure to touch on the more positive notion that humans have a responsibility and the privilege of helping those less fortunate.

6- Futility

Certain organizations or programs may not reach a lot of individuals but perhaps solve the problems of a group in a higher percentage. For example, while it only helps 50 people, an organization may help 48 out of those 50, a higher proportion than an organization that can only help 150 out of 12,000. Zoom in on these percentages and use them as a selling point to show how effective an organization can be. Who knows, they may give more time and money this way.

– Deena Dulgerian

Source: visual.ly
Photo: Pixabay

Plants Moderate Global Warming

Forest Air_opt
As any camping enthusiast will tell you, nothing quite describes the scent of that first refreshing breath of air they inhale upon waking in the middle of the forest. According to a recent study showing evidence that plants moderate global warming, there might in fact be a scientific explanation for the unusual characteristics of the atmospheric air experienced by campers.

Researchers from the University of Helsinki and the IIADA recently uncovered an ingenious feedback loop that exists between plants and higher atmospheric temperatures. How does it work? Plants moderate global warming through biological aerosols that originate from plants and – via atmospheric oxidation – stick to atmospheric aerosols, forming larger droplets that reflect sunlight and form storm clouds, thus decreasing temperatures.

In regards to evidence showing that plants moderate global warming, IIASA researcher Pauli Paasonen noted that, “Plants, by reacting to changes in temperature, also moderate these changes… Everyone knows the scent of the forest, that scent is made up of these gases.”

Although this amazing mechanism is presentlyonly able to mitigate only 1% of climate warming, the implications that plants moderate global warming is huge since future research can now focus exclusively the effects that such natural aerosols have on climate change, although many of their effects are currently scientifically uncertain.

Research highlighting how plants moderate global warming helps climatologists forge ahead into previously undiscovered frontiers of global warming and climate change. By having greater insight into the specific mechanisms involved in global warming, ongoing research can be aimed at both the construction and deployment of effective countermeasures.

– Brian Turner

Source: Science Daily
Photo: Classic Road Trip

Liter of Light

Liter-of-Light

Fiat lux! Let there be light! A timeless phrase that has been used since biblical times, in classrooms and even in movies has a more humanitarian and sustainable meaning since 2011. MyShelter Foundation, a ‘green-energy for all’ organization, began the Liter of Light project out of a simple idea to light up the homes of those who could not afford to do so themselves. With the help of MIT students, the technology of empty water bottles, water, bleach, and a slab of cement has taken the place of electricity and changed the lives of hundreds of thousands of people around the world.

The first installments began in Manila, Philippines. Since electricity rates are so high, families are forced to keep the lights off during the day. Due to the infrastructure of the homes in many of the poorer areas, however, light does not enter the homes during the day and families are left in darkness.

Building the makeshift light bulbs is easy and requires little to no maintenance. 1 liter plastic bottles are taken, filled with a small amount of bleach to keep the water and bottle clean and free of germs, then filled with water. When sunlight enters the bottle, enough light is produced that equals that of a 55-watt light bulb! The benefits of the water bottle bulbs are endless. Not only do they eliminate the need for electricity during the day, but they also reduce monthly electricity costs, are sustainable, help keep slums free of plastic waste, are easy to install, and add a greater sense of well being to the home environment.

Since 2011, Isang Litrong Liwanag (the translation of Liter of Light in Filipino) has spread to other countries such as Cambodia, India, Vietnam, Spain, Egypt, Peru, Kenya, the Middle East, and even Switzerland. MyShelter hopes to reach its goal of installing 1 million water bottle light bulbs by 2015.

– Deena Dulgerian

Source: A Liter of Light

UAE’s New Ministry of Development and International Cooperation

UAE Creates Ministry of Development and International Cooperation
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates – In March, the United Arab Emirates announced the creation of their Ministry of Development and International Cooperation. This new sector of government was established to coordinate all of the development and humanitarian efforts undertaken by the UAE. Since the country was established in 1971, the UAE has made efforts to assist in the development of poorer nations based on the belief that part of their wealth from oil and gas should be devoted to assisting those that are less fortunate. The Arab nation was the sixteenth largest humanitarian donor in 2012, based on the ratio of aid to the size of the economy of each country.

In the past three decades, the UAE has contributed more than $69 billion in loans, grants and developmental assistance in nearly 100 countries around the world. Most recently, the UAE contributed funds to help build hospitals and townships in Iraq, Palestinian territories and Lebanon.

One of the major projects undertaken by the ministry at this time is building refugee camps in Syria to house those displaced by the ongoing conflict. They have already spent over $81 million on Mrajeeb Al Fhood, a refugee camp in Jordan that houses over 25,000 people. The UAE has pledged more than $300 million to continue aiding refugees.

The new Ministry of Development and International Cooperation expanded the already existing Office for the Coordination of Foreign Aid. The purpose of the new ministry is to promote the UAE as a major donor and player in global human development. The majority of the aid that will be provided by the Ministry will be handed out by the government directly, although they are seeking to expand their work with international organizations.

-Allana Welch

Sources: WAM, Gulf Times, UAE Business Council
Photo: Tribune

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Indonesia and Regional Food Security

regional-food-security-in-indonesia
Sufficiency, self-reliance, accessibility, utilization and affordability are key principals in providing food security. Policy makers must focus on maintaining a balance in these principals. When demand is not met by supply, the shortfall can lead to unstable food accessibility. 

Self-sufficiency, in many countries, remains the key to continuously providing food security. However, in Indonesia, self-sufficiency has come under threat and the integral agricultural market is at risk. The livelihood of subsistence farmers is increasingly impacted by global issues such as climate change, international food price volatility, and the increasing demand for food from a growing population. The fluctuation and rise in prices of staple foods such as rice, garlic, and onions is leading Indonesia to cooperate with its neighbors to ensure the future of food security nationally and regionally. 

Currently, Indonesia’s food policy is based on the aim of self-sufficiency and production is sustained within the economy to such a level that it could eventually lead to a food crisis. While this encourages small-scale farming, it makes food availability uncertain for many of the nation’s poor and compromises a well-balanced diet. While recent changes in dietary patterns and private-sector investment in agriculture will allow for growth and diversification in agricultural production, it may not be enough. As the country of highest productivity and production of rice in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Indonesia could potentially generate earnings in the regional market. Subsequently, local markets would gain a boost from the benefits of an export-oriented economy. 

Since 1979, East Asian countries have integrated rice reserves to create a formal Strategic Plan of Action on Food Security in 2009 with the end goal being regional food security. While regional food security still has yet to be accomplished, many strides have been made in regional crop risk management, insurance schemes, strategies for regional transportation, and public-private partnerships. Indonesia holds the potential to strengthen self-sufficiency and national food security through aid to domestic competitiveness, systematic cash transfers, and cooperation with non-state stakeholders to minimize the adverse impacts of open food trade regimes. Implementation of these policies and principals would eventually lead to the accomplishment of national and regional food security for Indonesia and East Asia.

– Kira Maixner

Source: The Jakarta Globe
Photo: New Security Beat

Top 10 World Hunger Blogs

world-hunger-smiles
Below is a list of some of the best and most influential world hunger blogs around. The following blogs use various journalistic styles to spread the word about world hunger and news from around the world. After you finish reading through The Borgen Project blog, take a look at some of these!

1. Action Against Hunger- regular postings on major global hunger news and breaking events. The blog is part of the organization’s website. Action Against Hunger is a global humanitarian organization committed to ending world hunger.

2. Bread Blog- part of the Bread for the World organization. This blog reports US national events and important global stories in the fight against global poverty.

3. From Poverty to Power- a blog from OXFAM. It discusses the avenues individuals can take to achieve power. It is based on the thoughts from the Author, Duncan Green, and is meant to serve as a conversation and debate starter about development policy.

4. The Hunger and Under-nutrition Blog– aims to promote an informed dialogue, and serve as a resource for those in the field, and empower people at all levels to do what they can to make undernutrition and nutrition-related deaths and diseases a thing of the past.

5. International Food Policy Research Institute– the organization seeks sustainable solutions for ending world hunger and poverty. They have a vision of a world free of poverty and hunger and their blog focuses on what the IFPRI is doing as well as major news stories.

6. ONE blog- is part of the ONE organization. ONE’s goal is to fight the absurdity of extreme poverty by asking people to advocate for the world’s poor by taking action instead of simply talking about the problem.

7. Plenty to Think About– a blog highlighting, “the thinking persons guide to feeding a hungry planet”. This blog focuses on dietary solutions that can help end world hunger

8. Universities Fighting World Hunger- this organization works with the UN World Food Programme to mobilize US and international universities to make fighting world hunger a core value of higher education institutions. The blog is informative and journalistic and it provides a summary of the actions individuals within the organization are taking to fight world hunger.

9. WhyHunger blog- shares the stories of community-based organizations that are leading by example and working together to build the movement to end hunger and poverty.

10. OXFAM blogs- these blogs come from OXFAM staff around the world and document the problems, successes, and news coming from their local regions.

– Caitlin Zusy 
Source: Action Against Hunger, Bread for the World, OXFAM Blogs, Hunger and Under-nutrition Blog, International Food Policy Research Institute, ONE blog, Plenty to Think About, Universities Fighting World Hunger, WhyHunger blog, OXFAM blogs
Photo: Africa Dream

Olivia Wilde and the Half the Sky Movement

Olivia Wilde and the Half the Sky MovementActress, Olivia Wilde grew to fame for her role on one of the world’s most-watched television shows, House. However, she is also known for her role as a humanitarian. She has worked in Haiti, as well as produced her own documentary highlighting crises in various developing countries. She seamlessly transitions herself between the glamour of Hollywood to nonprofit work in the developing world.

Wilde recently participated in a PBS documentary and movement known as Half the Sky. Half the Sky is a movement aimed at igniting the change necessary to eliminate the oppression of women and girls worldwide. The Half the Sky movement was started by Nickolas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn. Kristof and WuDunn wrote a book by the same name, which focused on turning oppression into an opportunity for women worldwide.

The movement uses videos, websites, games, and educational tools to spread awareness of women’s issues as well as to help create solutions to empower women. The video series is a four-hour series broadcast on PBS and other international channels. It was shot in ten countries and includes several celebrities such as Olivia Wilde, America Ferrara, Meg Ryan, and Gabrielle Union. The series displays portraits of women and girls living in some of the worst conditions imaginable, yet fighting to improve and change them.

Wilde appears on the second night of the series. She traveled to the Umoja Women’s Village in Kenya where the women of Umoja make beautiful handmade beaded items. The women in the village depend on the sale of their beaded items to support themselves and their families. The profits fund community projects selected by the women including scholarships for young girls, teacher’s salaries, lunches for preschoolers, and a freshwater and health care project.

Wilde also traveled to visit Jamii Bora. Jamii Bora is a micro-financing organization providing small loans to women in extreme poverty to start their own small businesses.  The organization has an incredible success rate, helping women escape poverty and establish themselves independently.

The series hopes to raise global awareness of extreme poverty and hopes to educate and empower women worldwide to help each other out of poverty. The movement spreads a strong message of hope and progress.

– Caitlin Zusy
Source: Half the Sky

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Ben Affleck Lives Below the Line

Academy Award winner actor Ben Affleck is taking part in the Living Below the Line challenge. Next week, he will be living on just 1 dollar and 50 cents a day. The challenge requires participants to bid farewell to their comfortable and stable lives for 5 days to experience poverty on a personal scale. Living Below the Line was “cofounded in 2009 by Rich Fleming from the Global Poverty Project and Nick Allardice from the Oaktree Foundation in Australia.”

The U.S. Country Director of the Global Poverty Project, Michael Trainer, said that last year approximately 15,000 people were part of this Living Below the Line challenge and more than 3 million dollars were raised. According to the Yahoo report, Ben Affleck’s participation will build awareness and raise funds for the Global Poverty Project. The Project’s main emphasis is to get people to recognize their potential effectiveness by coming together and fighting to end global poverty. Next week anyone can be, and everyone should be, in solidarity with the poor with this humbling poverty experience.

–Leen Abdallah
Source: Examiner