Making Hope Last Longer Than Hunger

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Tomorrow is the day to Unite For Hunger and Hope but I will be at work so I am writing tonight. This is a natural for this blog as it involves the first of the Millennium Development Goals 1. End Hunger and on a global level it will involve 8. Global Partnership. While I fully support charitable efforts such as that being put on here by Heifer International, it will be a collective, collaborative, sustained effort by governments, NGOs, change-agent organizations, of us to bring about a lasting change. It cannot be just through well meaning donations during particular times of the year, we have to change how we do things both locally and globally. Others will be able to write far more eloquently about the suffering wrought by hunger than I will. I look for change that can be made manifest.

It is of particular concern to the UN MILLENNIUM CAMPAIGN's to get the G20 to address this need in the current economic crisis, despite the valiant $42.6 million, three-year immediate plan of action by the FAO last year. The FAO or Food & Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, is one of the primary global organizations addressing this issue.

I have written about World Hunger Notes before and will provide a link to the post below, so here are some bullet points.

• The world produces enough food to feed everyone.
  
• Poverty is the principal cause of hunger.
• An estimated 982 million poor people in developing countries who live on $1 a day or less (World Bank, Understanding Poverty, Chen 2004).
  
• Conflict as a cause of hunger and poverty.
  
• Hunger is also a cause of poverty.
  

Another global agency address hunger is the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), which provided a plan of actionable objectives in its Challenge of Hunger 2008

Combating the food crisis will require

1. More food aid for poor people;
2. Much greater investments in agriculture - especially the small farm sector;
3. More investment in social protection programs and social sectors - education & health;
4. Reforms to create a fair world trading system;
5. Changes to biofuel policies;
6. Measures to calm global food markets;
7. Better data collection and improved monitoring of the food and nutrition situation;
8. More support for nongovernmental organizations that work on behalf of poor people in developing countries.

All of this has been talked of before and will be talked about again and again. Often repetitive actions are necessary to bring about change. Each time we talk or write maybe one more person listens, but if a thousand small voices speak up that is a thousand more added to the effort to change the world.

What more can be done in the future? Starting on October 16, which is also World Food Day, people will once again be Standing Up To End Poverty. You can join that effort now and start organizing now to make a difference to bring real hope and stamp out hunger for the next millennium and beyond. The growth of the Stand Up Campaign is exponential. From 2006 to 2007 it achieve 46% growth, from 2007 to 2008 62% growth, and now 2008 to 2009 depends upon what happens in 2009. Could we hope for even greater growth of 75% or 80%? That could be 170,000,000 or 190,000,000 or even break 200,000,000. Maybe it is a bit unfair to use this forum to promote another event, but those are inconsequential details of who and when, the important thing is the what - ending hunger.

Related Posts:
FAO not Schwartz part 1 - Global Plan of Action Addresses a Global Challenge Hunger
FAO not Schwartz part 2- Opposing Pathways to Ending World Hunger and Malnutrition
FAO not Schwartz part 3 - A World Tragedy Too Long
Financial Fears * Global Challenges * Some Potential Answers
Blog Action Day Is Today The Struggle Continues
Taking the Measure of Chronic Poverty

The People of the United States Stand Up Speak Out

The Ongoing Campaign Against Malaria

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This Saturday was World Malaria Day. I did not do a post on the day of the event. While it may have some promotional benefits in regards to raising awareness having single awareness days for causes has some limitations. More importantly, I know that this post will potentially reach more through the long tail of search engines than it will through my small but appreciated cadre of subscribers. This issue is of concern to this blog as it is within Millennium Development Goal 6. Combat HIV/AIDS and other diseases. Below are some links from various sources dealing with this issue. First are some basic facts from Scientific American explaining both where we are and where we hope to go. I actually do subscribe to the magazine. There do seem to be glimmers of hope with the new vaccines, but at the very far end of the tunnel, more sustained globally-coordinated action is needed now.

In-Depth Report: A Guide to Malaria

The international community has just two years to meet the United Nations' 2010 goal of providing protection and treatment to every person threatened by malaria. Can it be done?

• When was malaria first discovered and by whom? How is the disease transmitted? What are its effects? Toby Fagan, postdoctoral researcher at Edinburgh University, gives this response
• Money for cheaper herb-based malaria meds A subsidy program intended to drive down the cost of lifesaving malaria drugs called artemisinin-based combination therapies -- now considered the most effective treatment against the parasitic disease -- is unveiled
• New Malaria Map Shows Disease More Widespread Than Previously Thought Scientists report that there are nearly 50 percent more clinical cases of malaria worldwide than previous estimates suggested
• Malaria Vaccine Proves Effective in Clinical Trial A new vaccine stimulates human immune cells to recognize and kill malaria parasites
• Successful Malaria Vaccine Also Proves Effective in Infants New data shows that the RTS,S vaccine is safe and effective in infants
• 2008 Gadget Guide: 11 Socially Responsible Inventions to Save the World Devices to pump and filter water, protect against disease-carrying insects, and more

Sign Up for other Scientific American Newsletters

The second is from CoolPeopleCare written by Sam Davidson who urges

Let's put an end to malaria.

Sam reminds us of the nearly three million children in Sub-Saharan Africa who are in danger despite on needing something simple as a simple bed net that could be purchased through organizations like Sweet Sleep. He also provides the opportunities to join the commitment to ensure that everyone in malaria-affected regions has access to essential prevention and treatment services by 2010 or by sending a postcard to help raise awareness. As Sam says, Malaria, like poverty, can be stopped, and we can be the generation to stop it.

Click here to Count yourself in

Finally, Care2 offers additional means of helping. You can get to those means from here.

"I pledge to give up buying cookies for 2 weeks..."
"I pledge to ride my bike to work instead of driving this week..."
"I pledge to cook at home one night instead of eating out..."

Sometimes, it doesn't take much to save a life. It can be an action as small and simple as forgoing one movie ticket. Just $10 can buy a lifesaving bed net, send it to Africa and show a family how to properly hang it.

What small pledge will you make to save a life from malaria? Share your pledge and save a life »

Often, the lifesaving solution is simple: refugees in Uganda, Sudan and Tanzania need bed nets. With your help, families in these refugee camps can get bed nets before the rainy season arrives in eastern Africa. What are you willing to give up for a few days in order to save a life? Please make a difference and help save the life of a refugee in Africa today »

Thank you for helping,

Natasha
Care2 Campaign Team
< Saturday, April 25 is World Malaria Day.
Send a Net - Save a Life. It's Truly That Simple »

A postcard has been sent from the World Malaria Day web site from Brian Dowling.

Related Posts:

• World Wide AIDS the Tragedy

• Overcoming Competing Goals and Commitments in Global Malaria Intervention

Fwd: Bloggers Unite for Hunger & Hope on April 29, 2009

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I am making a quick and easy posting to this blog by simply inserting what BloggersUnited sent me. Other things have kept me busy and this was one of the more important things to come across my desktop. The fight against hunger has been one of the primary focuses of this blog. There is small bit of philosophical apprehension with Heifer International, but the truth is that I am not a vegetarian myself and their program has limited impacted compared to McDonald's.

Dear Your Name Here, We have great news! BlogCatalog is launching its first coordinated campaign Bloggers Unite For Hunger And Hope on April 29. BlogCatalog and Heifer International are partnering to call for the end of world hunger and start of hope on April 29. All we ask is that you join thousands of other bloggers and write a post about world hunger on April 29. You Can Make a Difference. Right now, more than 500 million people are living in "absolute poverty" and more than 15 million children die of hunger every year. World Health Organization estimates that one-third of the population is underfed and another third is starving. Even in the United States, 46 percent of African-American children and 49 percent of Latino children are considered chronically hungry. Organizations like Heifer International are the solution. Every day in April, Heifer International is lifting people out of poverty by providing communities with livestock and agricultural training to improve lives and inspire hope. What can you do for Bloggers Unite For Hunger And Hope? Join this event by visiting Bloggers Unite and adding a badge to your blog before April 29. http://www.bloggersunite.org/event/unite-for-hunger-and-hope Watch for upcoming news releases and topic backgrounders. Visit Heifer International to learn more about Pass On The Gift. http://www.heifer.org/site/c.slI3IdNVJuE/b.4861851/k.39B8/30_Days_in_April.htm Make a small donation or take some other action to end world hunger. Blog about world hunger on April 29 with links to solutions all over the world. "Heifer International is thrilled to be a part of Bloggers Unite for Hunger and Hope," said Tom Peterson, senior director of Heifer International. "Bloggers Unite for Hunger and Hope is a great way to harness the power of the Internet, and it coincides with our Pass on the Gift campaign." Thanks so much for your continued support! More and more people are taking notice of your efforts. On behalf of the entire BlogCatalog team, we thank you and look forward to reading your posts on April 29! Select posts will be featured by BlogCatalog; Heifer International; Copywrite, Ink.; and on the Bloggers Unite blog. Thanks, The BlogCatalog Team
BlogCatalog.com · 7162 Eckhert Road · San Antonio, TX · 78238 Unsubscribe from our emails.

Once Again Stand Up and Take Action - October 16-18, 2009

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Another quick "slap-it-in" post, this is the reason why this blog got started in the first place. When I get a chance to learn more I will post it.

In 2006, 23 million people stood up, in 2007 47 million people, last year 116 million people Stood Up and Took Action. Let's break the record again this year and send a louder message than ever - achieve the Millennium Developments

Why Stand Up and Take Action in 2009?
For the fourth year in a row, millions of people around the world will Stand Up and Take Action to show their support for the fight against poverty and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). This year Stand Up will take place against the backdrop of a deepening financial crisis and a slowing global economy. It is a time of great challenge for development in general and the MDGs in particular. Already we are seeing the potentially devastating impact of this on the world's poorest and most vulnerable. We know that the current economic climate threatens to undo and possibly even reverse the very significant gains that have been made towards achieving the MDGs. With just six years left to the 2015 deadline for the achievement of the Goals, we cannot afford to let this happen. The achievement of the MDGs must remain a priority on the global political and public agenda. In this environment, Stand Up is a vital opportunity to send a clear and urgent message to world leaders and decision makers and raise the political stakes. Our policy messages and actions must reflect the urgency of the situation and must be an instrument to convey the sense of our growing impatience and intolerance of excuses for and distractions from the implementation of policies and programmes that address the poorest and most vulnerable.

When
October 16th, 17th, 18th, 2009: From 12 a.m. GMT (relevant local time) on the 16th October to 11.39 p.m. GMT (relevant local time) on the 18th October

Where
Wherever people who want to be involved in the fight against poverty and support the achievement of the MDGs are.

What
Stand Up, Take Action, End Poverty Now! A three day mobilization to send a loud and clear message from citizens to leaders of rich and poor countries to take urgent action to achieve the MDGs. And once again break the Guinness World Record. Participants will need to register their event at www.standagainstpoverty.org before the start of the mobilization and then to report their numbers after they have taken part. Numbers will be counted and verified by Guinness World Records.

Umbrella Logo and Slogan
The Stand Up, Take Action component of the logo will remain the same as last year. The second line slogan will be replaced with a more urgent and demanding call to "end poverty now!"

Thematic Focus
This year Stand Up will once again provide an energetic, high impact platform for people to raise the profile of MDG- related issues relevant to their region, country or community. However, this year Stand Up will begin on October 16th, World Food Day, and on this one day the focus on food security and on hunger will be greater. As always, the policy demands will be determined at the national and local levels by participants. But in recognition of the fact that many of the MDGs directly linked to the status of women are not doing well, campaigners are encouraged to give this year's Stand Up a clear focus on holding governments accountable for improving the status of women and their rights. This might range from a focus on improving maternal mortality or hunger and nutritional status for women and girls in poor countries. In rich countries this could be adapted to demanding urgent reform of trade-distorting agricultural subsidies.

Stand Up: Wherever you are. Alone, in a group or as part of an organization, choose a moment in these three days to physically and intentionally Stand Up and Take Action.

Take Action: Standing Up is the first step in any process of action. It is the signal of intent to actively engage.

Strengthening Actions to Achieve Maximum Policy Impact
This year the intention is to significantly strengthen the action component of the mobilization. It is for the participants and partners in each context to determine the actions that will be most effective to hold governments accountable for the realisation of the MDGs. It is essential that there is a direct link between the actions and the MDG-related policy demands that are being made. A major focus of this year's Stand Up will be to target Parliamentarians/legislators at the Federal (and where appropriate) at the provincial level. This could include early planning to persuade Parliamentarians to Stand Up in the house, to organize a Parliamentary debate and to pass necessary laws and policies for the achievement of the MDGs. Writing to Parliamentarians through letters, emails or text messages in large numbers can make a difference.

Top line Messages to leaders and policy makers
• Time is running out, urgent and decisive implementation of MDG-related policies, budgets and programmes cannot wait any longer
• Do not use the financial crisis as an excuse for ignoring and reneging on your commitments to the MDGs, we, the citizens of your own countries will not stand for it. The poor didn't cause this crisis; they can't be allowed to suffer for it.
• Do not believe that internal domestic challenges such as job losses, financial instability and insecurity will drive societies inwards. Despite these domestic challenges, it is clear now more than ever, that we live in an interdependent world and that we need to find global solutions to revert the current scenario. This is why we are even more ready to Stand Up and demand that promises made to end poverty and inequality are kept, for us and for everyone.

The Pledge
This year r the pledge will be a more integral and central part of Stand UP. We will encourage everyone who takes part to include the reading of the pledge. A copy of the pledge with two sections, one which will be determined globally, which can be read out at all levels, will be made available online and through direct dissemination. The other will be adapted in each context. Participants are encouraged to adapt, revise and translate the second part of the pledge to serve their needs.
Read the Stand Up pledge when you stand up. Wherever possible record the reading of the pledge on video, audio tape recorder or with a photograph and send these to us. Send us your updated pledge so we can post it online.

Materials and advertising campaigns
Materials for Stand Up, Take Action will be designed and disseminated by regional and national Campaigns within their own relevant design parameters. The prescribed components of the materials will be:
Stand Up, Take Action Logo
Red, black and white color theme
A set of global materials will also and made available for adaptation should anyone wish to utilize these.
Partners and campaigners at the national and local levels will also generate their own appropriate advertising and promotional campaigns for Stand Up. An online promotional campaign will be generated at the global level.
Useful materials to consider include:
1. Promotional brochure: Outlining exactly how to take part in Stand Up, how to register beforehand and how to record your numbers. This will be designed and produced by national Campaigns
2. Event in a Box: This will be generated globally and will include logo designs and translations, collateral designs, banners, a template press release and messaging, designs for T-shirts, caps and banners and the pledge. Any other suggestions of materials or collateral for inclusion in the Event in a Box are welcome.
3. National policy demands outlined and disseminated as a one pager to be generated at national level
4. An internal resource for UN Millennium Campaign, GCAP and other key partners involved in counting will be produced with guidelines for counting, spread sheeting and submitting numbers
All of these materials and collateral will also be available for download at: www.standagainstpoverty.org

High Visibility Events
Recognizing the need for a reinforced approach to Stand Up events which will further increase press and media interest, it has been decided that a number of solid, high-visibility events should be organized in each of the regions this year. These events will form the entry points and anchors for promoting Stand Up as a whole and attracting the attention of a wider spectrum of press and media coverage.

More information on www.standagainstpoverty.org

UN Millennium Campaign
April 2009

http://www.StandAgainstPoverty.org

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• 
• 

Once Again Help Free Aung San Suu Kyi

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Hi, I have written about this before. So have others though too many seem to be from Burma or Burma-related according to Sphere-it. For me, it was in support of an Avaaz action. Most of these words though modified are also taken from Avaaz, though the links are mine.

You remember the monks marching for democracy in Burma a couple of years ago who were brutally attacked by the military regime? Many of them are still locked away and have been languishing since in brutal Burmese prisons.

But now brave ex prisoners and activists are pushing for the release of all political prisoners, including Nobel peace prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi. Ex Presidents are supporting their campaign and the UN is finally beginning to get some out of jail.

I can't make any great claims to advocacy but my online persona has grown since 2007. I have signed a petition calling on UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon to prioritise their release. The more of us that sign, the more we make clear that the release of all prisoners is important to citizens across the world. So I am asking once again that you sign here and tell your friends!

This effort seems to have minimal impact in the main stream media. From Sphere-It, I found two recent articles.

1. UN says Burma detention 'illegal'
   
   12 days ago from BBC
2. Suu Kyi detention breaks Myanmar law: U.N. body - Boston.com
   12 days ago from Boston.com

The BBC report quoted Jared Genser, the Washington-based legal counsel to Ms Suu Kyi, who admitted that Burma's ruling military junta was unlikely to bow to UN advice on its own law.

No illusions

"I'm under no illusion that Aung San Suu Kyi will be immediately released because of this judgment. But at the same time I do think it is an important small step forward," he said.

We can all take a small step, we can all speak with a small voice. Here are others speaking about this issue.

1. Burma news update San Oo Aungs Weblog
   3 days ago from San Oo Aung’s Weblog
2. The sky is not blue in Burma
   
   4 days ago from Burma Newscasts
3. Suu Kyi news on Chinese TV | ABITSU - All Burma I.T Students Union
   
   5 days ago from ABITSU - All Burma I.T Students' Union
4. Seventeen US lawmakers have expressed deep concern over reports that the Obama administration is considering lifting economic sanctions against Burma and urged Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to appoint a special coordinator for Burma.
   
   1 day ago from democracy for burma
   “We are greatly concerned about reports that during a recent visit by a senior US diplomat to Burma, this official ...
5. Too many nations have forgotten that the Burmese military brutally crushed unarmed monks and civilians showing their support, resulting in the death of hundreds of protestors and detention of thousands more.
   
   5 days ago from democracy for burma
   The sky is not blue in Burma The recent decision by the Burmese military to release 6,313 prisoners indicates that ...
   See more results from 'democracy for burma'
6. Burma
   
   4 days ago from Encyclobanknotes.Blogspot
7. US Disappointed by Suu Kyi’s Detention
   
   6 days ago from The Sail
8. Suu Kyi Climbs Higher in Time Magazine Poll
   
   4 days ago from ENGLISH DEYEA NEWS
9. Article by Kyi May Kaung -- "Out of Burma" originally in Foreign Policy in Focus -- about state of Burmese literature and literature about Burma --
   
   4 days ago from KyiMayKaung
10. Aung San Suu Kyi
    
    4 days ago from Annalisa's Blog
    Aung San Suu Kyi är en kvinna som ofta beskrivs som Burmas Ghandi, en kämpe mot det rådande förtrycket i Burma. I år är ...

Update on the G20: Not Too Exciting, But It Could Have Been Worse

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I am one of millions watching, blogging over the last few posts, and waiting to see what the G20 would do in London. Thousands of mile away, I have made some slacktivist endeavors to encourage change on a multinational, billions dollar budget, global stage. Hopefully those other fellow millions put together helped make a difference. The EndPoverty2015 campaign, which was one of the impetuses for this blog, provided the following background leading up to the economic summit.

UN MILLENNIUM CAMPAIGN URGES WORLD LEADERS TO PRIORITIZE SOLUTIONS FOR THE POOR AT G-20 MEETING

As world leaders meet in London on 2 April to discuss plans to address the current economic crisis, the Millennium Campaign and our civil society partners are calling on the G20 leaders to prioritise solutions for the poor. The economic crisis threatens to push more than 50 million more people into poverty and reverse achievements made on the Millennium Development Goals.

This crisis, manufactured in rich countries cannot be used as an excuse for rich countries to renege on their aid commitments to poor countries, which are already bearing the brunt of the financial crisis. Read our four policy demands and check out additional background information.

Anita Sharma on G20 Summit in London
Click here and visit the U.N. EndPoverty2015 G20 onlinespecial

Change.org provided an update of the proceedings from Change.org Weekly March 30 - April 5:

The world's heads of state gathered in London at the G20 summit this week to talk about what to do about the economic crisis. Our own Humanitarian Relief blogger Michael Kleinman was there too as a credentialed blogger, reporting on the meetings, food options, and the treatment of the media (hint: it could be better).

After discussing the state of the planet, the world leaders basically promised to do what they'd already set out to do before: reaffirm foreign aid spending pledges, outline new funding for "social protection," and echo their commitment to address climate change. Not too exciting.

World Leaders Pledge $1.1 Trillion for Crisis

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The New York Times has an article today in INTERNATIONAL / EUROPE | April 03, 2009 World Leaders Pledge $1.1 Trillion for Crisis By MARK LANDLER and DAVID E. SANGER.

Their focus is on President Obama. I was interested more in the measures proposed by the Group of 20 that would reverse the global downturn and address issues of concern to this blog. Though I have quoted from the news article, the links go directly to the IMF webpages.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown of Britain, host of the Group of 20 summit meeting called to fight the crisis, announced at its conclusion that the leaders had committed to $1.1 trillion in new funds that would greatly increase the capital available to the International Monetary Fund.

“This is the day the world came together to fight against the global recession. Our message today is clear and certain: we believe that global problems require global solutions.” Gordon Brown, British Prime Minister

This is not the same, in my view, as the long term and sustainable solutions proposed by the Millennium Development Goals themselves. It is a quick and necessary fix.

China is expected to contribute $40 billion. Japan and the European Union each pledged $100 billion. The United States has said it will contribute $100 billion, too, though that requires Congressional approval.

So the next action I would expect from Change.org and Avaaz would be to get Congress to fund the $100 billion. What I have to wonder is if we had a world that had fully funded the Millennium Development Goals in a timely manner, would we have found our selves in this mess.