Eighteen million innocent people die every year from poverty related causes. What are the best ways to help? An Open Letter to Everyone Fighting Global Poverty: Dear Colleague: I'm impressed with your work. Our world is a much better place because of it. I strongly agree with what you said:
You’ve joined the United Nations, dozens of of the wealthiest nations, websites that sign up millions of concerned citizens, Bono the rock star and many other talented, caring people in this struggle... Finally, in recent years, we have growing consensus: Everyone should support the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). These goals seek to cut extreme poverty in half by 2015. That would be a very good start, but as you probably know, the MDGs are also a continuation of an international commitment for 0.7 percent of national income (GDP) to end poverty, first made in October 1970 (UN General Assembly Resolution 2626). It’s been reconfirmed many times since... And 40 years later, it's still only partially done. And here's the shocking truth: Shamefully, the USA still only gives 0.23 percent of our national income, 2.3 cents for every ten dollars. And half of that is given for strategic interests, not poverty alleviation. Many other wealthy nations also fall far short of their MDG commitments. But even if all the wealthy nations finally keep these commitments, 500 million people would still be chronically hungry in 2015. And nine million innocent people will still die every year from poverty related causes. It seems no one in power has the courage to ask for more. Big problems - bigger
solutions All the charities in the world cannot match the resources government can provide. The Marshall Plan would never have succeeded in helping rebuild Western Europe after World War II, if it depended on private donations. We can learn from the mistakes of previous international aid programs and our own domestic War on Poverty. Our government needs to fund more flexible, comprehensive programs. They work incredibly effectively and at remarkably low cost. Social entrepreneurship programs work directly with those in greatest need. They bypass corrupt and inefficient bureaucracies. Some of these programs are well described in David Bornstein's excellent book, How to Change the World. The Ashoka and Skoll foundations, and many others, provide valuable help for innovative social entrepreneurs. But we need to work on a much larger scale to end extreme poverty. A big waste The resulting scandals fuel public cynicism and increase demands to cut back foreign aid. Together, we can do better. Much
better... I'm sure that you don't want to see even one child die of hunger or poverty. I’m also sure you agree that, as Tony Hall expresses in his wonderful book, Changing the Face of Hunger, justice and mercy help bring peace. I can think of no better source of meaning and fulfillment than for us to move further forward for such a cause. A new initiative We recognize this will be difficult in the short run, though the world's poorest people are hardest hit by the economic downturn. Hearts & Minds also strongly advocates that whatever amount we do spend be used far more effectively. Political will A visionary campaign is working to build that will. Here's the solution: “The politicians do not lead, they follow. It’s the
people who lead.” Millions
of lives
Thanks for your consideration - and for all the very good work you're already doing! Sincerely, Bill Blackman,
president,
and the volunteers of Hearts & Minds
Methods to End Global Poverty - the debate between strategies You Can Help End Global Hunger and Poverty Press Release for this Campaign Free Newsletter
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