photos courtesy of Paul Botes, South Africa “Looking ahead to 2015 and beyond, there is no question that we can achieve the overarching goal: we can put an end to poverty. In almost all instances, experience has demonstrated the validity of earlier agreements on the way forward; in other words, we know what to do. But it requires an unswerving, collective, long-term effort.” BanKi-moon,Secretary General UN What would you say if I told you our genaration has it within our power to end the suffering of extreme poverty and preventable diseases within our lifetime? It's a true and proven fact. In pure monetary terms, each person in the 'rich' world, or developed world, would only need to donate $200 per year, but there's a lot more we can do. Here are my top 5 choices each of us can make in our daily lives that have the power to make a difference to people living in extreme poverty and those affected by preventable diseases like HIV and AIDS. 5 simple things each of us can do to change the world... "Looking ahead to 2015 and beyond, there is no question that we can achieve the overarching goal: we can put an end to poverty. In almost all instances, experience has demonstrated the validity of earlier agreements on the way forward; in other words, we know what to do. But it requires an unswerving, collective, long-term effort.” BanKi-moon,Secretary General UN There are a number of road maps in place to end this unnecessary suffering. If the world honours its commitments, we will see an end to extreme poverty and preventable disease in our life time. We have a decision to make. Will we rise to this challenge? Here are some suggestions on how to make a difference. 1. Learn. Tell. Pray. The first step is to arm yourself with knowledge and tell everyone you know about the challenges facing the developing world and the opportunity we have to end the suffering. Below my Top 5 Actions is a list of my favorite sites and books and presenations that will help you become a future-maker and bring an end to the unnecessary suffering brought about by preventable diseases and extreme poverty. It's surprising how few people know about either the challenges facing the developed world, or about the realistic, achievable plans to put an end to it all. You'll be surprised how supportive your family, friends, workmates, congretation, fellow students will be . In my experience, people are generally happy to help a worthwhile cause, they just need information and to be asked in the right way. Individually and collectively we know the power of prayer. Take these issues to the Lord in Prayer, ask for grace and favour for those suffering. 2. Write to your local Congressman I know this can sound lame, but it really makes a difference. Here's why... the governments of all developed countries promised to give more money to erradicating extreme poverty and preventable diseases. But it's broken it's promise, largely because it thinks it will get away with it, that these issues aren't important to people. When we stay silent, our politicians view this as our apathy - why would they act. We need to jump up and down to prove we what them to honour their commitment. The best action each of us can take, it to write a letter to our locally elected Congressman telling them (in your own words), "I care about the issues affecting the developing world. I expect my government to honour the commitments it has made to increase overseas aid."  3. Buy More Fair Trade Products It's a sad but true fact that many of the products we consume are produced or grown by people in the developing world who are not paid properly for their efforts. Coffee, chocolate and cheap clothing are key examples. Imagine this: a family in Uganda lives on $1 per day. They cannot afford school fees for their children and one child has contracted malaria that may kill the child. They have a small plot of coffee plants and one day a man comes and offers them $10 for the beans. The father knows it is worth $50, but $10 would pay for medical care and may save his child's life - he reluctantly accepts the $10. All too often, this is the reality of the coffee we drink and the chocolate we eat... now that doesn't taste so good does it? Products that are certified 'Fair Trade' mean the farmer gets his $50, and in turn this means his children can go to school and receive ongoing medical care and eat regular nutritious meals (visit http://www.fairtrade.net/) Another great action to take is to jump on the chainstorereaction website and email a company regarding their ethical / fair trade business practices http://www.chainstorereaction.com.au/?sssdmh=dm16.417868 4. Give creatively of your time There are so many great ways you can give your time towards eradicating extreme poverty and preventable disease. You can volunteer within Australia. Big organisations like World Vision and Oxfam are always looking for volunteers. You might choose to volunteer abroad through an organisation like Australian Volunteers Abroad http://volunteerabroad.com.au/info/ Or, start your own social enterprise, such as a business that imports bags or crafts made by people in the developing world (check out stopstart) 5. Donate money to an organisation fighting poverty, HIV and AIDS. It's true that if each of us in developed countries like America gave $200 a year, we could end extreme poverty and preventable disease. I encourage you to give whatever you can afford to your favourite organisation working in international aid and development. We support the work of World Vision and if you don't already have a favourite charitable organisation, we encourage you to get to know them: www.worldvision.com Thank you for the difference you will make. I want to learn more.... Here are my top presentations, books and sites that will arm you with all the knowledge you'll need to begin your journey... Sachs, Jeffrey. The End of Poverty: How We Can Make It Happen in Our Lifetime. New York: Penguin Books, 2005. Renowned economist Jeffrey Sachs, instrumental in the creation and costing of the Millennium Development Goals, outlines with hard facts and costing models just how we can end poverty in our lifetime. This book is a must to give you a good grounding on this topic. Nolen, Stephanie. 28: Stories of AIDS in Africa. New York: Walker, 2007. Powerful stories of Africans infected and affected by AIDS—drivers, teachers, health workers, grandparents and even the great leader Nelson Mandela—to demonstrate the far-reaching, devastating impact of this virus. Each of these twenty-eight individuals represents one million people who have died from AIDS. Ellyard, Peter. Designing2050: Pathways to Sustainable Prosperity on Spaceship Earth. Yarraville, Victoria: TPN TXT, 2008. Former UN adviser and renowned futurist Dr. Peter Ellyard explores how we as a people can live in peace, harmony and abundance with our planet in the year 2050. A must for big-picture thinkers. Watch the Lazarus Effect Powerful documentary by Spike Jones & Lance Bangs that proves how medication worth 40c a day can save the lives of people dying from AIDS & transform communities & families. This documentary is filmed in my home country and features my mentor Dr Manassah Phiri Host a "1.4 Billion Reasons" Presentation from the Global Poverty Project UNAIDS Outlook 2010 Fresh, easily readable publication from UNAIDS that examines progress and remaining issues around HIV - how funding is directed, how different countries are affected. Millennium Development Goals www.undp.org Learn more about the Millennium Development Goals and progress being made. See the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) report “Are We on Track to Meet the Millennium Development Goals by 2015?” Millennium Villages Millennium Villages www.millenniumvillages.org 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic Africa Reboots New York Times - April 17 2010 An inspiring piece from Bono on the new breed of African activists and entrepreneurs bringing new hope to Africa UNAIDS 2008 Update on the Global HIV and AIDS Pandemic HIVData/GlobalReport/2008/2008_Global_report.asp . Every two years, UNAIDS publishes a detailed update on the AIDS pandemic that is well worth reading. World Vision website World Vision's website contains a lot of great materials to help us understand the challenges and what World Vision is doing to address these. The 2009 DATA Report,Monitoring the G8 Promise to Africa Bono's organization,DATA, and the global activism group ONE have combined forces. Each year they release a report to keep us accountable on promises made to Africa. The Global Fund ONE International The Nelson Mandela Foundation www.nelsonmandela.org The Nelson Mandela Foundation through the Centre of Memory and Dialogue contributes to the making of a just society by promoting the values,vision and work of our Founder. Roll Back Malaria Malaria is one of the greatest killers across sub-Saharan Africa. Learn more about this problem and plans to eradicate malaria
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