This came to me from the Micah Challenge in Zambia...some press they got for advocacy regarding the Millennium Development Goals during Zambian election time. I always like to put in an African perspective when I can...
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THE POST, Friday, September 19, 2008 – Home News
A CHRISTIAN non-governmental organization has advised presidential candidates in the October 30 election to make a commitment towards the attainment of millennium development Goals (MDGs) by 2015.
And National Royal Foundation of Zambia chairperson Chief Bright Nalubamba (right) has asked presidential aspirants to meet all traditional Leaders to explain their agenda for the rural poor before asking for their votes.
In a statement, Micah Challenge Zambia national facilitator Pastor Lawrence also called on Christians in the country to vote for a person who would promote integrity, righteous and justice.
“We call on all Zambians not to vote tribe, Chibuku, party or age, but character, vision and strategy on how we will attain the millennium Development Goals,” he said.
And commenting on the heads of state meeting on the MDGs to take place in New York on September 25, pastor Temfwe called on leaders from the developing countries to urge G8 nations to fulfill the pledges they made to poor countries.
Pastor Temfwe also expressed dissatisfaction with the US$60 billion pledged by the rich nations towards health.
And chief Nalubamba said traditional leaders need to know what the presidential aspirants stood for so that people know who they were voting for.
“ There is greater need than before for the aspirants to meet the traditional leaders through out the country so that they can explain what they have for the rural poor,” Chief Nalubamba said. We have been marginalized for some time and our people remain poor so we have to know this time around what we are voting for.”
Chief Nalubamba said traditional leaders and the rural poor had the right to know what was there for them from the presidential candidates in the October 30 by-election.
He advised the candidates to reserve some days of their campaign period for a meeting with traditional leaders to discuss issues that affected the rural communities.
“We need to know how each of the candidates intends to work with traditional leaders in the fight against rural poverty,” said Chief Nalubamba. “ There should be no restriction on how should meet traditional leaders to allow the rural people to elect the best candidate. We now have to speak out strongly about traditional leaders’ effective involvement and participation in governance and development as servants of the rural poor.”
Showing posts with label Africa. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Africa. Show all posts
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
The Truth about the Global Poverty Act (#1)
Bread for the World has put out a very clear info sheet about the Global Poverty Act (S 2433). Here is the link to it:
The Truth about the Global Poverty Act
If there is any doubt about any of these, remember, the GPA is a very short piece of legislation. You can always read it for yourself to confirm what you read here! Here's the first mythbuster...
MYTH: The Global Poverty Act would commit the U.S. to spending 0.7 percent of its gross national product on foreign aid. This would require a new tax on all Americans.
TRUTH: The legislation neither authorizes nor obligates the federal government to spend more money. Rather, it seeks to put our current foreign aid programs into a comprehensive strategy involving trade policy, debt cancellation, and private sector efforts to ensure that existing U.S. programs are more effective and efficient. The legislation calls for a strategy to determine the right mix of aid, trade and debt policies and investment. The strategy also includes the private sector, civil society organizations, and the developing countries themselves as critical components in global development. The Congressional Budget Office has estimated the bill would cost less than $1 million to implement.
The Truth about the Global Poverty Act
If there is any doubt about any of these, remember, the GPA is a very short piece of legislation. You can always read it for yourself to confirm what you read here! Here's the first mythbuster...
MYTH: The Global Poverty Act would commit the U.S. to spending 0.7 percent of its gross national product on foreign aid. This would require a new tax on all Americans.
TRUTH: The legislation neither authorizes nor obligates the federal government to spend more money. Rather, it seeks to put our current foreign aid programs into a comprehensive strategy involving trade policy, debt cancellation, and private sector efforts to ensure that existing U.S. programs are more effective and efficient. The legislation calls for a strategy to determine the right mix of aid, trade and debt policies and investment. The strategy also includes the private sector, civil society organizations, and the developing countries themselves as critical components in global development. The Congressional Budget Office has estimated the bill would cost less than $1 million to implement.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
CALL CONGRESS on Mon, June 25 to support PEPFAR
From RESULTS...
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Five years ago, Congress passed the United States Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria Act of 2003, which authorized PEPFAR, an historic effort to combat HIV/AIDS, and the largest commitment ever by a single country to a global health initiative. Today, Congress is poised to renew and expand that effort by passing the Tom Lantos and Henry J. Hyde Global Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Reauthorization Act of 2008 (H.R.5501, S.2731). The Lantos-Hyde Act authorizes $50 billion over five years for these three diseases of poverty, continuing our leadership against AIDS and malaria, and stepping up our response to tuberculosis by authorizing up to $4billion in funding. (For more background on the Lantos-Hyde Act, please read the June Action Sheet .)
Despite broad bipartisan support, Senate action was stalled for months by seven senators (lead by Sen. Coburn (R-OK)), who had policy and funding concerns with the bill. Growing media and civil society pressure finally spurred Senate leadership into action, and on June 19, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) set June 24 as the deadline for negotiations. On June 24, Senator Reid publicly stated his hope that the negotiations between Senators Biden (D-DE), Lugar (R-IN), Enzi (R-WY), Coburn (R-OK) and the White House would allow him to call a vote in the immediate future.
This week — as early as today — Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid could schedule a floor time and a vote on the Lantos-Hyde Global HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria Act of 2008. While we are happy that passage of this bill before Congress adjourns for the July 4th recess is appearing more likely, we are very concerned that there may be harmful amendments offered during debate. We are also working with Senate allies to offer an amendment to restore critical TB policy language to the bill.
*TAKE ACTION NOW*
Please call your senators NOW and ask them to:
+support the Unanimous Consent vote
+Support the Lantos-Hyde bill on the floor of the Senate
+Oppose any amendments that reduce funding or put earmarks in for abstinence only.
Detailed information on what to say is below.
CALL SCRIPT:
Hello. My name is ______________ __ and I’m calling from ________________.
I am calling to thank the Senator for XXX and to ask him/her to support a comprehensive and effective Lantos-Hyde bill when it comes to the floor.
I hope Senator ___________ _____ will vote against any amendment to cut funding from the bill below the current $50 billion authorization. That funding is badly needed to fight AIDS but also to scale up to a real response on the global crises of tuberculosis and malaria as well.
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Five years ago, Congress passed the United States Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria Act of 2003, which authorized PEPFAR, an historic effort to combat HIV/AIDS, and the largest commitment ever by a single country to a global health initiative. Today, Congress is poised to renew and expand that effort by passing the Tom Lantos and Henry J. Hyde Global Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Reauthorization Act of 2008 (H.R.5501, S.2731). The Lantos-Hyde Act authorizes $50 billion over five years for these three diseases of poverty, continuing our leadership against AIDS and malaria, and stepping up our response to tuberculosis by authorizing up to $4billion in funding. (For more background on the Lantos-Hyde Act, please read the June Action Sheet
Despite broad bipartisan support, Senate action was stalled for months by seven senators (lead by Sen. Coburn (R-OK)), who had policy and funding concerns with the bill. Growing media and civil society pressure finally spurred Senate leadership into action, and on June 19, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) set June 24 as the deadline for negotiations. On June 24, Senator Reid publicly stated his hope that the negotiations between Senators Biden (D-DE), Lugar (R-IN), Enzi (R-WY), Coburn (R-OK) and the White House would allow him to call a vote in the immediate future.
This week — as early as today — Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid could schedule a floor time and a vote on the Lantos-Hyde Global HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria Act of 2008. While we are happy that passage of this bill before Congress adjourns for the July 4th recess is appearing more likely, we are very concerned that there may be harmful amendments offered during debate. We are also working with Senate allies to offer an amendment to restore critical TB policy language to the bill.
*TAKE ACTION NOW*
Please call your senators NOW and ask them to:
+support the Unanimous Consent vote
+Support the Lantos-Hyde bill on the floor of the Senate
+Oppose any amendments that reduce funding or put earmarks in for abstinence only.
Detailed information on what to say is below.
CALL SCRIPT:
Hello. My name is ______________ __ and I’m calling from ________________.
I am calling to thank the Senator for XXX and to ask him/her to support a comprehensive and effective Lantos-Hyde bill when it comes to the floor.
I hope Senator ___________ _____ will vote against any amendment to cut funding from the bill below the current $50 billion authorization. That funding is badly needed to fight AIDS but also to scale up to a real response on the global crises of tuberculosis and malaria as well.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Ghana to be among 1st African countries to acheive MDG #1
From ModernGhana.com
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Accra, June 20, GNA – Dr. Daouda Toure, UNDP Resident Representative in Ghana, on Friday noted that Ghana would be among the very first African countries that have achieved the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) of halving poverty.
He, however, pointed out that there were other goals such as high infant mortality, high maternal mortality, among others, which were still high in the country and there was the need to take steps to achieve those targets by 2015. The MDGs were signed by 189 countries in September 2000.
The Millennium Development Goals are a set of objectives set by the United Nations to help all peoples in the world to live with minimum dignity.
Dr. Toure was speaking at the launch of the Global Monitoring Report, 2008 on the theme: “MDGs and the Environment – Agenda for Inclusive and Sustainable Development,” organized by the Christian Council of Ghana in collaboration with the International Monetary Fund, The United Nations Development Programme and the World Bank, Ghana Office.
The programme brought together policy makers, civil society groups and individuals to dialogue about development and its relation to the environment.
Dr. Toure said there was the need for policy makers and advocacy groups to relate the MDGs to the needs and priorities of the local communities, adding, “localize the goals” to suit the needs of the people.
He also noted that Ghana was one of the 10 pilot countries that the World Bank, IMF, African Development Bank (AfDB), the European Union and the UN used to test government structure and to look at areas where there was the need to seal loopholes.
Responding to questions that the level of awareness about the MDGs among the populace was low, Dr Toure said the MDGs was not supposed to be a slogan that people would recite but how they related to them.
He stressed that the MDGs were only a minimal package that the world owed to humanity.
Ms. Punam Chuhan-Pole, Economist at the World Bank, who launched the report, said Ghana was on track to achieve the goals of gender equality and access to water and there was the need for a good investment climate.
She said the world was on track to achieve the poverty reduction and gender parity goals but there were also serious shortfalls in the areas of nutrition, education, health and sanitation goals.
“Africa lags behind on all the MDGs; South Asia on most human development goals,” she said, and expressed hope that most MDGs were still achievable in most countries.
Ms Chuhan-Pole noted that, it was critical that developing countries managed their natural resources well since most of them depended such resources.
She suggested an increase in agricultural production in Africa as a way to achieve growth.
She further pointed out that one-third of the developing world’s population representing about 1.6 billion people did not have access to electricity and noted that even though aid to Africa had risen, it was mostly in the form of debt relief.
“The time to act is now,” she said, and reminded the people that it was only a few years to 2015.
Mrs Bernice Sam, National Programmes Coordinator for Women in Law and Development in Africa, a non-governmental organization of women lawyers, said achieving the MDGs was everybody’s business and called on individuals as well as government officials to make efforts to help achieve the goals by 2015.
Mr Arnold McIntyre, IMF Resident Representative, noted that it was important for countries to understand what international cooperation meant for them.
Professor Kwaku Appiah-Adu, Head of Policy Coordination, Monitoring and Evaluation and the Director of Governance Project at the Office of the President, said government was doing all it could to ensure that Ghana achieved the MDGs.
He mentioned energy, water and roads as the current government priority areas and urged developed partners to combine their poverty reduction programmes in Africa with growth-related activities where the country’s human resource base would grow.
Prof. Appiah-Adu called on stakeholders to join in the campaign to achieve the MDGs and said civil society groups could challenge the government of strategies to help facilitate the achievement of MDGs.
Source website:http://www.modernghana.com/news/170863/1/ghana-among-countries-to-halve-poverty-undp.html
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Accra, June 20, GNA – Dr. Daouda Toure, UNDP Resident Representative in Ghana, on Friday noted that Ghana would be among the very first African countries that have achieved the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) of halving poverty.
He, however, pointed out that there were other goals such as high infant mortality, high maternal mortality, among others, which were still high in the country and there was the need to take steps to achieve those targets by 2015. The MDGs were signed by 189 countries in September 2000.
The Millennium Development Goals are a set of objectives set by the United Nations to help all peoples in the world to live with minimum dignity.
Dr. Toure was speaking at the launch of the Global Monitoring Report, 2008 on the theme: “MDGs and the Environment – Agenda for Inclusive and Sustainable Development,” organized by the Christian Council of Ghana in collaboration with the International Monetary Fund, The United Nations Development Programme and the World Bank, Ghana Office.
The programme brought together policy makers, civil society groups and individuals to dialogue about development and its relation to the environment.
Dr. Toure said there was the need for policy makers and advocacy groups to relate the MDGs to the needs and priorities of the local communities, adding, “localize the goals” to suit the needs of the people.
He also noted that Ghana was one of the 10 pilot countries that the World Bank, IMF, African Development Bank (AfDB), the European Union and the UN used to test government structure and to look at areas where there was the need to seal loopholes.
Responding to questions that the level of awareness about the MDGs among the populace was low, Dr Toure said the MDGs was not supposed to be a slogan that people would recite but how they related to them.
He stressed that the MDGs were only a minimal package that the world owed to humanity.
Ms. Punam Chuhan-Pole, Economist at the World Bank, who launched the report, said Ghana was on track to achieve the goals of gender equality and access to water and there was the need for a good investment climate.
She said the world was on track to achieve the poverty reduction and gender parity goals but there were also serious shortfalls in the areas of nutrition, education, health and sanitation goals.
“Africa lags behind on all the MDGs; South Asia on most human development goals,” she said, and expressed hope that most MDGs were still achievable in most countries.
Ms Chuhan-Pole noted that, it was critical that developing countries managed their natural resources well since most of them depended such resources.
She suggested an increase in agricultural production in Africa as a way to achieve growth.
She further pointed out that one-third of the developing world’s population representing about 1.6 billion people did not have access to electricity and noted that even though aid to Africa had risen, it was mostly in the form of debt relief.
“The time to act is now,” she said, and reminded the people that it was only a few years to 2015.
Mrs Bernice Sam, National Programmes Coordinator for Women in Law and Development in Africa, a non-governmental organization of women lawyers, said achieving the MDGs was everybody’s business and called on individuals as well as government officials to make efforts to help achieve the goals by 2015.
Mr Arnold McIntyre, IMF Resident Representative, noted that it was important for countries to understand what international cooperation meant for them.
Professor Kwaku Appiah-Adu, Head of Policy Coordination, Monitoring and Evaluation and the Director of Governance Project at the Office of the President, said government was doing all it could to ensure that Ghana achieved the MDGs.
He mentioned energy, water and roads as the current government priority areas and urged developed partners to combine their poverty reduction programmes in Africa with growth-related activities where the country’s human resource base would grow.
Prof. Appiah-Adu called on stakeholders to join in the campaign to achieve the MDGs and said civil society groups could challenge the government of strategies to help facilitate the achievement of MDGs.
Source website:http://www.modernghana.com/news/170863/1/ghana-among-countries-to-halve-poverty-undp.html
Monday, June 16, 2008
CALL CONGRESS on Tues, June 17 (Bread lobby day)
From Bread for the World...
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Join people from all over the country who are walking the halls of Congress on Tuesday, June 17, to speak up for hungry and poor people.
During Bread for the World's annual Lobby Day, hundreds of hunger activists from across the United States are visiting their members of Congress, asking them to increase funding for poverty-focused development assistance-- real programs that can make a significant contribution to improving the lives of the world's poorest people. Learn more about poverty-focused development assistance.
Let your voice be heard, too. Please call your members of Congress on Tuesday, June 17, and ask them to increase poverty focused development assistance by $5 billion in the fiscal year 2009 budget. Use this special toll-free number, and ask to be transferred to your senators' and representative's offices: 1-800-826-3688. Find out who your members are.
Talking points:
-In light of the recent hunger crisis, we must increase our commitment to programs that provide sustainable assistance to hungry and poor people.
-Poverty-focused development assistance is focused primarily on programs that reduce hunger, poverty and disease in the world's poorest countries.
-An additional $5 billion will help to ensure that the United States keeps the commitments we have made to world's most vulnerable people.
Thank you!
David Beckmann
President
Bread for the World
----------------------------------
Join people from all over the country who are walking the halls of Congress on Tuesday, June 17, to speak up for hungry and poor people.
During Bread for the World's annual Lobby Day, hundreds of hunger activists from across the United States are visiting their members of Congress, asking them to increase funding for poverty-focused development assistance-- real programs that can make a significant contribution to improving the lives of the world's poorest people. Learn more about poverty-focused development assistance.
Let your voice be heard, too. Please call your members of Congress on Tuesday, June 17, and ask them to increase poverty focused development assistance by $5 billion in the fiscal year 2009 budget. Use this special toll-free number, and ask to be transferred to your senators' and representative's offices: 1-800-826-3688. Find out who your members are.
Talking points:
-In light of the recent hunger crisis, we must increase our commitment to programs that provide sustainable assistance to hungry and poor people.
-Poverty-focused development assistance is focused primarily on programs that reduce hunger, poverty and disease in the world's poorest countries.
-An additional $5 billion will help to ensure that the United States keeps the commitments we have made to world's most vulnerable people.
Thank you!
David Beckmann
President
Bread for the World
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Uganda 'happy' about food crisis
I came across this on the Poverty News Blog (http://povertynewsblog.blogspot.com/) who cites the BBC as the source. If trade barriers can be removed, then it is possible that a great deal of long term good could come from (relatively) short term hardship.
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Uganda 'happy' about food crisis
from the BBC
The president of Uganda says he is "very happy" about the food crisis.
"Why? Because we produce a lot of food... We are stuck with food," President Yoweri Museveni told Commonwealth heads of government.
The president hopes the food crisis will prompt the removal of trade barriers, allowing countries like Uganda to profit from food surpluses.
A BBC correspondent says most benefits are going to large, commercial farms, while poor Ugandans are suffering.
The BBC's Sarah Grainger in Uganda says most of the population are subsistence farmers, who do not export their crops but are affected by the rising cost of fuel and other inputs.
But overall food production has risen in recent years.
Uganda's growth rate is expected to reach 8.9% later on this year, up from 6.5% last year, partly due to debt relief.
"Our problem has been marketing... We produce 10 million metric tonnes of bananas and 40% of it rots because we have nowhere to sell it," President Museveni told delegates.
President Museveni said milk production had risen so rapidly, it had been poured away.
That was until Uganda set up a recent agreement with an Indian processor plant: excess milk is now being shipped to India.
----------------------------------------
Uganda 'happy' about food crisis
from the BBC
The president of Uganda says he is "very happy" about the food crisis.
"Why? Because we produce a lot of food... We are stuck with food," President Yoweri Museveni told Commonwealth heads of government.
The president hopes the food crisis will prompt the removal of trade barriers, allowing countries like Uganda to profit from food surpluses.
A BBC correspondent says most benefits are going to large, commercial farms, while poor Ugandans are suffering.
The BBC's Sarah Grainger in Uganda says most of the population are subsistence farmers, who do not export their crops but are affected by the rising cost of fuel and other inputs.
But overall food production has risen in recent years.
Uganda's growth rate is expected to reach 8.9% later on this year, up from 6.5% last year, partly due to debt relief.
"Our problem has been marketing... We produce 10 million metric tonnes of bananas and 40% of it rots because we have nowhere to sell it," President Museveni told delegates.
President Museveni said milk production had risen so rapidly, it had been poured away.
That was until Uganda set up a recent agreement with an Indian processor plant: excess milk is now being shipped to India.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Zambians Are Not Lazy
An entry by Lawrence Temfwe of the Micah Campaign in Zambia to provide an African perspective on poverty...
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Are Zambians lazy as was reported in the Post newspaper recently? Song writer Nathan Nyirenda does not agree. In his song Mwemakufi, there is a line in which he states that we work like donkeys, in the morning, at noon and in the evening and yet we remain poor. Zambians are not lazy when doing manual work. The foreign owned mining companies are making treble profits because the Zambians who do labor work of digging copper are not lazy. Consider the women and men who work on the swamps of Lake Bangweulu catching fish. They work very hard to catch and smoke fish and to bring it to the market. Also most women who trade in vegetables have very little sleep as they wake up early in the morning to go and work in their gardens or to walk to the market to go and sale vegetables. Should we also talk about charcoal burners and traders who walk several kilometers starting as early as 04:00 hours pushing their bicycles with their merchandise to the market?
If Zambians work like donkeys why is poverty so rife especially among communities where people work in the morning, at noon and evening? First, we are lazy at planning for long-term. Most of our people work that they have food to eat at night. Few work that they have food to eat seven years from today. Joseph helped the Egyptians to plan for the lean years. Second we are lazy at using time as a resource. Several years ago when I worked at a college library overseas, I was paid per hour. Each time I went out to pick my child from school during working hours the clock stopped and I was not paid for that period I was not working. Can you imagine how many Zambians would not be paid for those times they leave office for personal errands?
Third we are lazy at holding public leaders accountable for their actions. Take the example of a case that happened two months ago where a government minister passed degrading remarks on women. This simple case demanded a motion by fellow parliamentarians that this minister be impeached for his self-confessed reckless life. Yet this case is still pending because the public is lazy to hold their public leaders accountable for their actions. Former USA president, Bill Clinton was almost impeached for a similar offence because the public was not lazy. But in this nation the public is lazy to hold leaders accountable for their actions and therefore, we have leaders who are not models of hard work and character.
Zambians are hard working people. What they lack are examples of diligence, and planning by their leaders. In Proverb 12:24 we read, “Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in slave labor.” Our people end up in slave labors because our leaders who are supposed to provide guidance on how we should live and perform duties in order to profit from the abundant resources God has blessed us are lazy. When Jethro the father-in-law to Moses visited him and found him doing unproductive work he said to him, “What you’re doing is not good. You and the people who come to you will only wear yourselves out.” Jethro advised Moses, “Teach them the decrees and laws, and show them the way to live and the duties they are to perform” (Ex.18). Is this what civil leaders are doing? Is this what you are doing? If you are not then you’re part of the problem of why our people are not coming out of poverty.
Lawrence Temfwe
-------------------------------------
Are Zambians lazy as was reported in the Post newspaper recently? Song writer Nathan Nyirenda does not agree. In his song Mwemakufi, there is a line in which he states that we work like donkeys, in the morning, at noon and in the evening and yet we remain poor. Zambians are not lazy when doing manual work. The foreign owned mining companies are making treble profits because the Zambians who do labor work of digging copper are not lazy. Consider the women and men who work on the swamps of Lake Bangweulu catching fish. They work very hard to catch and smoke fish and to bring it to the market. Also most women who trade in vegetables have very little sleep as they wake up early in the morning to go and work in their gardens or to walk to the market to go and sale vegetables. Should we also talk about charcoal burners and traders who walk several kilometers starting as early as 04:00 hours pushing their bicycles with their merchandise to the market?
If Zambians work like donkeys why is poverty so rife especially among communities where people work in the morning, at noon and evening? First, we are lazy at planning for long-term. Most of our people work that they have food to eat at night. Few work that they have food to eat seven years from today. Joseph helped the Egyptians to plan for the lean years. Second we are lazy at using time as a resource. Several years ago when I worked at a college library overseas, I was paid per hour. Each time I went out to pick my child from school during working hours the clock stopped and I was not paid for that period I was not working. Can you imagine how many Zambians would not be paid for those times they leave office for personal errands?
Third we are lazy at holding public leaders accountable for their actions. Take the example of a case that happened two months ago where a government minister passed degrading remarks on women. This simple case demanded a motion by fellow parliamentarians that this minister be impeached for his self-confessed reckless life. Yet this case is still pending because the public is lazy to hold their public leaders accountable for their actions. Former USA president, Bill Clinton was almost impeached for a similar offence because the public was not lazy. But in this nation the public is lazy to hold leaders accountable for their actions and therefore, we have leaders who are not models of hard work and character.
Zambians are hard working people. What they lack are examples of diligence, and planning by their leaders. In Proverb 12:24 we read, “Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in slave labor.” Our people end up in slave labors because our leaders who are supposed to provide guidance on how we should live and perform duties in order to profit from the abundant resources God has blessed us are lazy. When Jethro the father-in-law to Moses visited him and found him doing unproductive work he said to him, “What you’re doing is not good. You and the people who come to you will only wear yourselves out.” Jethro advised Moses, “Teach them the decrees and laws, and show them the way to live and the duties they are to perform” (Ex.18). Is this what civil leaders are doing? Is this what you are doing? If you are not then you’re part of the problem of why our people are not coming out of poverty.
Lawrence Temfwe
Friday, May 16, 2008
Run for Congo Women: Chicago Oct 11
This is a 5K ( I think it's only 5k) run coming to Chicago in the fall for a fantastic cause...
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"Run for Congo Women" is a grassroots run or walk or bike or swim or bake or pray fundraiser for Women for Women International's Congo Program. In only one year, it has blossomed into a global movement with a very simple message:
Congolese lives matter. The lives of Congolese women are significant. The lives of Congolese children are precious. They have waited far too long. They are worth our effort. We are running to help.
Runs are being planned in the following cities - keep checking back more information!
Morrison, CO — September 13, 2008
Portland, OR — September 14, 2008
New York, NY — October 4, 2008
Tempe/Phoenix, AZ — October 5, 2008
Chicago, IL — October 11, 2008
St. Louis, MO — October 18, 2008
Raleigh, NC — 2009
Visit the Run for Congo Women website for more info: http://www.runforcongowomen.org/index.php
------------------------------------------------------------
"Run for Congo Women" is a grassroots run or walk or bike or swim or bake or pray fundraiser for Women for Women International's Congo Program. In only one year, it has blossomed into a global movement with a very simple message:
Congolese lives matter. The lives of Congolese women are significant. The lives of Congolese children are precious. They have waited far too long. They are worth our effort. We are running to help.
Runs are being planned in the following cities - keep checking back more information!
Morrison, CO — September 13, 2008
Portland, OR — September 14, 2008
New York, NY — October 4, 2008
Tempe/Phoenix, AZ — October 5, 2008
Chicago, IL — October 11, 2008
St. Louis, MO — October 18, 2008
Raleigh, NC — 2009
Visit the Run for Congo Women website for more info: http://www.runforcongowomen.org/index.php
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Somalia today: Food Riots with Fatalities
"I've never demonstrated before, but I'm not ashamed because if you can't eat, you will do whatever you can," said Abdullahi Mohammed, 57, of Mogadishu. "Before I was eating three times a day, but now sometimes it's not even once."
This quote from the LA Times coverage of today's food riot in Somalia really leapt out at me. The food riots have started and are well underway in the developing world. Today, the issue was that shops refused to accept the Somali shilling, preventing citizens to buy food with the only currency they could hold. Gunfire and grenades were used upon the looting protesters in Mogadishu. I am heartbroken considering that more of the same is sure to come. I think of the irritability I feel when I fast. I think about the love I have for my children. I think about how small my fasting irritation would be in comparison to the desperation and unfocused wrath I would feel if extreme hunger were coupled with watching my beloved starve. I think I might be out burning tires as well and (if I thought I could get away with it to feed my children)...looting. Not the most moral admission, but an honest one.
France said that it would double it's food aid to Somalia. I don't know what that amount would be, but it is a call for all of "developed nations" to live up to our Millennium Development Goal commitments. We said we would help and we didn't. And now there are people dying in the streets over rice. It won't be fast enough to help the people in Somalia in the short term, but passage of the Global Poverty Act is critical...not only to get our ball rolling in providing more and better poverty-focused development assistance, but to tell the rest of the world we give a damn about people besides ourselves.
This quote from the LA Times coverage of today's food riot in Somalia really leapt out at me. The food riots have started and are well underway in the developing world. Today, the issue was that shops refused to accept the Somali shilling, preventing citizens to buy food with the only currency they could hold. Gunfire and grenades were used upon the looting protesters in Mogadishu. I am heartbroken considering that more of the same is sure to come. I think of the irritability I feel when I fast. I think about the love I have for my children. I think about how small my fasting irritation would be in comparison to the desperation and unfocused wrath I would feel if extreme hunger were coupled with watching my beloved starve. I think I might be out burning tires as well and (if I thought I could get away with it to feed my children)...looting. Not the most moral admission, but an honest one.
France said that it would double it's food aid to Somalia. I don't know what that amount would be, but it is a call for all of "developed nations" to live up to our Millennium Development Goal commitments. We said we would help and we didn't. And now there are people dying in the streets over rice. It won't be fast enough to help the people in Somalia in the short term, but passage of the Global Poverty Act is critical...not only to get our ball rolling in providing more and better poverty-focused development assistance, but to tell the rest of the world we give a damn about people besides ourselves.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Chuck Taylor: Project (RED)
Great news for Chuck Taylor converse fans! Converse has a program for the 2008 year called 1HUND(RED). They have teamed up with the Project (RED) to make a line of shoes to alleviate poverty. "Converse's 1HUND(RED) initiative brings together a hundred artists from around the globe to celebrate the artistic spirit and help fight AIDS in Africa. With our canvas as your canvas, 1HUND(RED) illustrates how the power of creativity can help change the world." 10% of the net wholesale price of these shoes will be given to The Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria.
Even more fun is Make Mine (RED), a fun program by which you can design your own Chuck Taylor sneaker fully customized for you! You can even specify tongue color or get text printed on them. 15% of the sale will go to The Global Fund.
I haven't ordered a pair yet, but if you see someone walking around with crazy Chucks that have "ccyl" up the back, you'll know it's me :)
http://www.converse.com//index.aspx?bhcp=1&mode=shoes&fid=26&CSID=44#100ArtistsMMR
Even more fun is Make Mine (RED), a fun program by which you can design your own Chuck Taylor sneaker fully customized for you! You can even specify tongue color or get text printed on them. 15% of the sale will go to The Global Fund.
I haven't ordered a pair yet, but if you see someone walking around with crazy Chucks that have "ccyl" up the back, you'll know it's me :)
http://www.converse.com//index.aspx?bhcp=1&mode=shoes&fid=26&CSID=44#100ArtistsMMR
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
IL Call-in: Restore cut in Int. Affairs Budget (poverty assistance at risk)
An action call-in from Bread for the World. Please call by end of day tomorrow to help with the budget for poverty-focused development assistance!
--------------------------------------------------------
PLEASE CALL CONGRESS TODAY!
MESSAGE: Please call Senator Barack Obama by 6:00 pm Eastern Time, Wednesday, March 12 at 1-800-826-3688. Ask your senator to cosponsor the Feinstein-Smith amendment to restore the cut in the International Affairs Budget proposed by the FY 2009 budget resolution.
[Note: This toll-free number will connect you to the Capitol switchboard, where you will ask to be connected to your senator’s office in order to leave your message.]
Key elements of this message:
The International Affairs budget is essential to building hope and opportunity around the world. The current FY 2009 Senate budget resolution shortchanges this important work. Please co-sponsor the Feinstein-Smith amendment to restore funding to the International Affairs account that was cut in the Budget Committee.
Background:
The budget resolution is the first step in the congressional decision-making process on the federal budget. The president submitted his request for the fiscal year 2009 budget on February 4th. His budget request included $39.8 billion for the International Affairs accounts, including foreign assistance. Not including emergency spending, this was almost a $5 billion increase over the fiscal year 2008 levels.
After the president submits his budget proposal, the Senate and the House Budget Committees develop separate budget resolutions. The budget resolution makes changes in tax policy and mandatory spending (i.e. Medicare, Social Security) and sets a ceiling for the total amount of discretionary spending (i.e. health research, defense, foreign assistance). The resolution provides non-binding guidance to the Appropriations Committee on the amount each area of discretionary spending should receive.
Last week, the two budget committees finished work on their respective resolutions. The Senate Budget Committee’s recommendation for International Affairs--$35.7 billion--is significantly less than the House resolution. The House Budget Committee recommended $38.3 billion for the International Affairs accounts.
The Feinstein-Smith amendment would restore $2.6 billion to the International Affairs budget in the Senate Budget Resolution to bring it in line with the higher level proposed by the House of Representatives. Your Senator's name on the amendment are crucial to making a real difference in the level of funding as the appropriations process moves forward. By asking your senator to cosponsor the amendment, we can show support for this increase and ensure its consideration on the Senate floor.
This first step in the fight over the International Affairs budget is a critical one to make sure we keep our promise to help the world's poorest people. Later, we'll work to make sure that enough of the International Affairs budget goes to the programs that are making a real difference in the developing world. But that fight will be much more difficult if we don't get a high level of funding here and now.
Key points:
- Co-sponsor the Feinstein-Smith amendment.
- In addition to supporting vital diplomatic efforts around the world, the International Affairs budget also supports effective programs focused on poverty reduction by improving agriculture, nutrition, health, water and education systems.
- The U.S. should not shortchange these critical programs affecting millions of poor and hungry people around the world.
Calls completed by: 6:00 pm Wednesday, March 12.
--------------------------------------------------------
PLEASE CALL CONGRESS TODAY!
MESSAGE: Please call Senator Barack Obama by 6:00 pm Eastern Time, Wednesday, March 12 at 1-800-826-3688. Ask your senator to cosponsor the Feinstein-Smith amendment to restore the cut in the International Affairs Budget proposed by the FY 2009 budget resolution.
[Note: This toll-free number will connect you to the Capitol switchboard, where you will ask to be connected to your senator’s office in order to leave your message.]
Key elements of this message:
The International Affairs budget is essential to building hope and opportunity around the world. The current FY 2009 Senate budget resolution shortchanges this important work. Please co-sponsor the Feinstein-Smith amendment to restore funding to the International Affairs account that was cut in the Budget Committee.
Background:
The budget resolution is the first step in the congressional decision-making process on the federal budget. The president submitted his request for the fiscal year 2009 budget on February 4th. His budget request included $39.8 billion for the International Affairs accounts, including foreign assistance. Not including emergency spending, this was almost a $5 billion increase over the fiscal year 2008 levels.
After the president submits his budget proposal, the Senate and the House Budget Committees develop separate budget resolutions. The budget resolution makes changes in tax policy and mandatory spending (i.e. Medicare, Social Security) and sets a ceiling for the total amount of discretionary spending (i.e. health research, defense, foreign assistance). The resolution provides non-binding guidance to the Appropriations Committee on the amount each area of discretionary spending should receive.
Last week, the two budget committees finished work on their respective resolutions. The Senate Budget Committee’s recommendation for International Affairs--$35.7 billion--is significantly less than the House resolution. The House Budget Committee recommended $38.3 billion for the International Affairs accounts.
The Feinstein-Smith amendment would restore $2.6 billion to the International Affairs budget in the Senate Budget Resolution to bring it in line with the higher level proposed by the House of Representatives. Your Senator's name on the amendment are crucial to making a real difference in the level of funding as the appropriations process moves forward. By asking your senator to cosponsor the amendment, we can show support for this increase and ensure its consideration on the Senate floor.
This first step in the fight over the International Affairs budget is a critical one to make sure we keep our promise to help the world's poorest people. Later, we'll work to make sure that enough of the International Affairs budget goes to the programs that are making a real difference in the developing world. But that fight will be much more difficult if we don't get a high level of funding here and now.
Key points:
- Co-sponsor the Feinstein-Smith amendment.
- In addition to supporting vital diplomatic efforts around the world, the International Affairs budget also supports effective programs focused on poverty reduction by improving agriculture, nutrition, health, water and education systems.
- The U.S. should not shortchange these critical programs affecting millions of poor and hungry people around the world.
Calls completed by: 6:00 pm Wednesday, March 12.
Christian Science Monitor series: "An End to Poverty"
This week, the Christian Science Monitor is running a five-part series called "An End to Poverty: New Hope for the Last Billion Poor." Today’s segment is about addressing some of common myths about global poverty. It also highlights how uncoordinated our aid is and how it isn’t targeted toward the poorest of the poor.
"A First Step for the Global Poor- Shattering Six Myths"
http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0310/p09s01-coop.html?page=3
Here are some excerpts:
" 'There are too many impoverished people to help.'
A bogus excuse. Historically, the world's poorest covered the globe. That's no longer the case. The mid-tier developing world in much of South and Central Asia is steadily and remarkably rising in prosperity. The last billion who suffer extreme poverty are concentrated in fewer than 60 very small sub-Saharan, Asian, and Latin American countries, which means we've never been in a better position to eradicate it."
" 'If aid is good, more aid is better.'
Not really. Since 2001, the Bush administration has tripled foreign assistance worldwide, and quadrupled it in Africa. And NGOs build their identities around raising and giving money. But more funding isn't the most critical issue.
While humanitarian assistance has saved millions, consider this startling conclusion from a recent study by the Center for Global Development: When aid rises to 8 percent of a recipient nation's gross domestic product, it has zero effect on economic growth. Above that, it has a negative effect.
The serious challenge is one of coordination. Chronic shortages of skilled citizens in the very worst-off nations mean that more resources simply can't be deployed effectively. Instead, donors, NGOs, and private philanthropies trip over one another, competing to give money away, rather than coordinating at ground level to get results. More isn't always better; smarter is better."
"A First Step for the Global Poor- Shattering Six Myths"
http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0310/p09s01-coop.html?page=3
Here are some excerpts:
" 'There are too many impoverished people to help.'
A bogus excuse. Historically, the world's poorest covered the globe. That's no longer the case. The mid-tier developing world in much of South and Central Asia is steadily and remarkably rising in prosperity. The last billion who suffer extreme poverty are concentrated in fewer than 60 very small sub-Saharan, Asian, and Latin American countries, which means we've never been in a better position to eradicate it."
" 'If aid is good, more aid is better.'
Not really. Since 2001, the Bush administration has tripled foreign assistance worldwide, and quadrupled it in Africa. And NGOs build their identities around raising and giving money. But more funding isn't the most critical issue.
While humanitarian assistance has saved millions, consider this startling conclusion from a recent study by the Center for Global Development: When aid rises to 8 percent of a recipient nation's gross domestic product, it has zero effect on economic growth. Above that, it has a negative effect.
The serious challenge is one of coordination. Chronic shortages of skilled citizens in the very worst-off nations mean that more resources simply can't be deployed effectively. Instead, donors, NGOs, and private philanthropies trip over one another, competing to give money away, rather than coordinating at ground level to get results. More isn't always better; smarter is better."
Friday, March 7, 2008
Offering of Letters in Evanston, IL this Sunday, 3/9
The Bread for the World 2008 Offering of Letters will be held next Sunday, March 9 at First United Methodist Church in Evanston. Immediately following worship, please join us in the Great Hall to write members of congress in support of more and better poverty-focused development assistance to eradicate extreme poverty. All, visitors and youth included, are welcome to write 3 letters: one to your representative and one to each of your senators. It only takes 90 seconds to write a letter. It might take you longer to eat the delicious homemade bread we will offer to you!
If you would like to participate, but are unable to attend, please visit this website http://www.bread.org/take-action/ol2008/sample-letter.html
It has a sample letter that to help you know the issues we are pushing for. You must include your home address on the outside envelope and on the letter itself in order to be counted! You can mail it yourself and let me know how many you send, so we can include them in our church's total.
If you have questions, feel free to comment. Or, you can visit the Bread for the World website at www.bread.org
If you would like to participate, but are unable to attend, please visit this website http://www.bread.org/take-action/ol2008/sample-letter.html
It has a sample letter that to help you know the issues we are pushing for. You must include your home address on the outside envelope and on the letter itself in order to be counted! You can mail it yourself and let me know how many you send, so we can include them in our church's total.
If you have questions, feel free to comment. Or, you can visit the Bread for the World website at www.bread.org
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Global Poverty Act: Is your senator a co-sponsor?
The Global Poverty Act has passed through the Senate Foreign Relations committee and will move to the Senate floor soon.
This is the legislation that would make the eradication of extreme poverty an objective of US foreign policy. It would be the first time the Millennium Development Goals appeared in US law. It would require a coordinated effort of government agencies (including Treasury, Commerce, Ag Dept, etc) to make sure the efforts to alleviate poverty are not undercutting each others programs. In the push for "more and better" poverty-focused development aid, this act is the "better" part of that equation.
Here is a list of the 10 senators who are co-sponsoring the GPA. Obama is listed as "sponsor" and introduced it into the Senate with a couple of others...
Sen. Barack Obama [D-IL]
Sen. Joseph Biden [D-DE]
Sen. Maria Cantwell [D-WA]
Sen. Christopher Dodd [D-CT]
Sen. Richard Durbin [D-IL]
Sen. Russell Feingold [D-WI]
Sen. Dianne Feinstein [D-CA]
Sen. Charles Hagel [R-NE]
Sen. Richard Lugar [R-IN]
Sen. Robert Menéndez [D-NJ]
If your senators are among them, a thank you note would be appropriate if you are so inclined. If they are not...now would be a good time to write them a hand-written personal letter making sure they are aware of this legislation soon to be voted upon and that you care about it.
This is the legislation that would make the eradication of extreme poverty an objective of US foreign policy. It would be the first time the Millennium Development Goals appeared in US law. It would require a coordinated effort of government agencies (including Treasury, Commerce, Ag Dept, etc) to make sure the efforts to alleviate poverty are not undercutting each others programs. In the push for "more and better" poverty-focused development aid, this act is the "better" part of that equation.
Here is a list of the 10 senators who are co-sponsoring the GPA. Obama is listed as "sponsor" and introduced it into the Senate with a couple of others...
Sen. Barack Obama [D-IL]
Sen. Joseph Biden [D-DE]
Sen. Maria Cantwell [D-WA]
Sen. Christopher Dodd [D-CT]
Sen. Richard Durbin [D-IL]
Sen. Russell Feingold [D-WI]
Sen. Dianne Feinstein [D-CA]
Sen. Charles Hagel [R-NE]
Sen. Richard Lugar [R-IN]
Sen. Robert Menéndez [D-NJ]
If your senators are among them, a thank you note would be appropriate if you are so inclined. If they are not...now would be a good time to write them a hand-written personal letter making sure they are aware of this legislation soon to be voted upon and that you care about it.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Poverty and Sustainability in Zambia (MDG's 1&7)
Sometimes anti-pov and eco activists forget how much the two issues are intertwined. This latest piece from the Micah Challenge in Zambia shows how Millennium Development Goal #1 (Eradicate extreme hunger & poverty) is connected deeply with MDG #7 (Ensure environmental sustainability).
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Press Statement on the ZESCO Power cuts.
Posted: 29 Jan 2008 07:06 AM CST
Micah Challenge Zambia is concerned with the pressure we seem to be exerting on the environment due to the power crisis that our nation has been going through for last several months and recently made worse by the extended power cuts. The extended power cuts are reversing the gains we have been making in the fight against poverty.
Our nation is endowed with a wealth of natural resources within 16 ecosystems with landscapes that range from extensive forests to wetlands. This rich natural resource is under threat if we cannot control the wanton destruction of forests due to charcoal burning. Sadly, Zambia faces daunting challenges of de-forestation at the rate of 250-300 thousand ha per year. The destruction of our forests will lead to reduced biodiversity.
Due to the current power blackouts being experienced in our nation, the search for alternative sources of fuel will lead to unsustainable charcoal production and increased demand for fuel-wood. As more households demand for charcoal as an alternative source of energy our forests will be face further destructions. This will make it difficult for Zambia to attain Millennium Development Goal number 7, where we have committed ourselves to ensure environmental sustainability. . In the year 2000, the government of Zambia and 188 other nations made a promise to halve poverty by 2015 through the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Many of the goals are in danger of not being met in Zambia. As a coalition of Christians committed to standing up for justice, we remind the Zambian government to keep the promises they made. Conserving natural resources will certainly contribute to the reduction of poverty in our country.
Unsustainable destruction of our forests will certainly contribute to climate change. This climate change which is human induced impacts negatively mostly on ecosystems. As a nation as we operate within the United Nations Framework on Climate Change and its Kyoto Protocol we need to curb practices which will ultimately accelerate the process of climate change. Failure to control change factors that accelerate climate change will lead to widespread loss of productivity, erosion, reduction in stream flow and other negative impacts. Today we are threatened by destructive floods due to climate change.
Micah Challenge Zambia calls on the Zambian Government to quickly resolve the problem being faced by ZESCO to meet the ever rising electricity demand. Micah Challenge Zambia urges government leaders to re-focus their efforts, especially to ensure the following goals are met: With the extensive power cuts or load shedding in place most households regardless of their economic status are depending on charcoal. The rising demand for charcoal is not good for this nation as it has negative effect on environmental sustainability.
---------------------------------------------------------
Press Statement on the ZESCO Power cuts.
Posted: 29 Jan 2008 07:06 AM CST
Micah Challenge Zambia is concerned with the pressure we seem to be exerting on the environment due to the power crisis that our nation has been going through for last several months and recently made worse by the extended power cuts. The extended power cuts are reversing the gains we have been making in the fight against poverty.
Our nation is endowed with a wealth of natural resources within 16 ecosystems with landscapes that range from extensive forests to wetlands. This rich natural resource is under threat if we cannot control the wanton destruction of forests due to charcoal burning. Sadly, Zambia faces daunting challenges of de-forestation at the rate of 250-300 thousand ha per year. The destruction of our forests will lead to reduced biodiversity.
Due to the current power blackouts being experienced in our nation, the search for alternative sources of fuel will lead to unsustainable charcoal production and increased demand for fuel-wood. As more households demand for charcoal as an alternative source of energy our forests will be face further destructions. This will make it difficult for Zambia to attain Millennium Development Goal number 7, where we have committed ourselves to ensure environmental sustainability. . In the year 2000, the government of Zambia and 188 other nations made a promise to halve poverty by 2015 through the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Many of the goals are in danger of not being met in Zambia. As a coalition of Christians committed to standing up for justice, we remind the Zambian government to keep the promises they made. Conserving natural resources will certainly contribute to the reduction of poverty in our country.
Unsustainable destruction of our forests will certainly contribute to climate change. This climate change which is human induced impacts negatively mostly on ecosystems. As a nation as we operate within the United Nations Framework on Climate Change and its Kyoto Protocol we need to curb practices which will ultimately accelerate the process of climate change. Failure to control change factors that accelerate climate change will lead to widespread loss of productivity, erosion, reduction in stream flow and other negative impacts. Today we are threatened by destructive floods due to climate change.
Micah Challenge Zambia calls on the Zambian Government to quickly resolve the problem being faced by ZESCO to meet the ever rising electricity demand. Micah Challenge Zambia urges government leaders to re-focus their efforts, especially to ensure the following goals are met: With the extensive power cuts or load shedding in place most households regardless of their economic status are depending on charcoal. The rising demand for charcoal is not good for this nation as it has negative effect on environmental sustainability.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Bread for the World mentioned in Wash Post Editorial
The Wash post ran an op-ed on 11/7 explaining why our cotton subsidies hurt West African farmers. Bread for the World gets a nice mention. Here's the link:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/06/AR2007110601808.html?wpisrc=newsletter&wpisrc=newsletter&wpisrc=newsletter
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/06/AR2007110601808.html?wpisrc=newsletter&wpisrc=newsletter&wpisrc=newsletter
Saturday, September 1, 2007
CARE's decision to turn down US food aid
Here is an LA Times editorial that eloquently and entertainingly explains why a major poverty-relief org would turn down major federal food aid. It comes down to subsidies again...
--------------------------------------------
No thanks, and keep your farm aid
Taking a stand against U.S. subsidies that help cripple Third World economies.
August 24, 2007
If a charity stops taking your money, you've got to be doing something pretty shady. Historically, you could invent dynamite, beat up striking workers, build defective Xboxes, write a column about hating dogs -- and your check would still get cashed. So when CARE, the giant poverty-relief organization, stops taking $45 million a year in indirect food aid from the U.S. government, it is a strong indicator of some impressive sleaziness going down in D.C.
One of the smartest ways to get away with sleaze is to involve farmers. Now, I like farmers, mostly because they make food, of which I am a huge fan. But they're not, as is often claimed, a cornerstone of democracy, national security or morality. They're the remnants of a job field that, because of technology, has been shrinking since its inception. Farmers are just a half-step up from fire starters and cave painters.
But the U.S. government uses our irrational, Mellencampian love of farmers to kick back taxpayer money to the giant agribusinesses, such as Archer Daniels Midland Co., that fund political campaigns. So the $45 million CARE got isn't sent to poor people in the form of something useful, like cash. Instead, it'sused to fund a complicated scheme that only a huge bureaucracy or a really dumb money launderer would concoct.
The $45 million is used to buy food from American agribusinesses, which is then given to CARE and sent to impoverished nations by way of U.S. shipping companies. This food is not delivered to poor people. Instead, it is sold on the open local market for the highest price possible.
The resulting revenue -- which is about 75% of the original aid money -- is used to fund programs for the poor and hungry. I would not be surprised if at some point the food also has to be driven back and forth across that bridge-to-nowhere in Alaska.
But that waste isn't the main reason CARE made its difficult decision, which could allow more human suffering in the near term. Neither is the fact that shipping Nebraskan corn and reselling it in Micronesia, which typically takes five months, isn't the fastest way to help people whose village has been swept away by a tsunami.
The real problem is that we're going commie all over the Third World, and it's having Soviet-style results. Every U.S.-subsidized bag of soybeans we sell to a vegetable oil company in Kenya means less demand for oil-producing crops from a local sunflower farmer. And even if that soy money builds a cool medical clinic, it's going to be a little less cool to the unemployed sunflower farmer.
This scenario is a microcosm of how U.S. corn, soy, cotton, rice and sugar subsidies drive Third World workers out of one of the few businesses available to them. Farm-subsidy rules are to capitalism what Abu Ghraib is to democracy -- only in addition to infuriating foreigners, subsidy rules also bore them.
So CARE is betting that its decision will push Congress to rethink its "buy American" aid policies. "I think people are becoming more sophisticated and understand that if we don't make economies more self-sufficient, we're just perpetuating these cycles of poverty," said Helene Gayle, CARE president and chief executive. "They're starting to understand that this doesn't help in the long run."
She may be right. CARE actually started rejecting indirect food aid more than a year ago, but it was only reported on now that the increasingly controversial farm bill is before Congress.
While Europe, Canada and the U.N. have gotten out of monetizing food aid, the U.S. has amped its program: In 1990, less than 4% of food aid shipments were put through the laundering scheme -- now almost 20% is, which has reduced the actual dollar amount of aid poor people get by 43% over the last five years. Dumping even a small amount of underpriced food can really mess up a small local market, says Cornell University economist Christopher Barrett. "A Kenyan trader told me, 'I don't mind that these guys are competing with me in the market. I just mind that they compete so stupidly. They make the markets so volatile.' " Asking aid workers to run global commodity markets makes about as much sense as letting them talk about what they do at a party.
So until the Democratic Congress gets some guts and, at the very least, approves President Bush's plan to require that 25% or more of food aid be bought locally, I'm giving money to CARE, starting with my pre-tax earnings from this column. If the government isn't willing to save Africa, I'm betting journalism money will.
jstein@latimescolumnists.com
--------------------------------------------
No thanks, and keep your farm aid
Taking a stand against U.S. subsidies that help cripple Third World economies.
August 24, 2007
If a charity stops taking your money, you've got to be doing something pretty shady. Historically, you could invent dynamite, beat up striking workers, build defective Xboxes, write a column about hating dogs -- and your check would still get cashed. So when CARE, the giant poverty-relief organization, stops taking $45 million a year in indirect food aid from the U.S. government, it is a strong indicator of some impressive sleaziness going down in D.C.
One of the smartest ways to get away with sleaze is to involve farmers. Now, I like farmers, mostly because they make food, of which I am a huge fan. But they're not, as is often claimed, a cornerstone of democracy, national security or morality. They're the remnants of a job field that, because of technology, has been shrinking since its inception. Farmers are just a half-step up from fire starters and cave painters.
But the U.S. government uses our irrational, Mellencampian love of farmers to kick back taxpayer money to the giant agribusinesses, such as Archer Daniels Midland Co., that fund political campaigns. So the $45 million CARE got isn't sent to poor people in the form of something useful, like cash. Instead, it'sused to fund a complicated scheme that only a huge bureaucracy or a really dumb money launderer would concoct.
The $45 million is used to buy food from American agribusinesses, which is then given to CARE and sent to impoverished nations by way of U.S. shipping companies. This food is not delivered to poor people. Instead, it is sold on the open local market for the highest price possible.
The resulting revenue -- which is about 75% of the original aid money -- is used to fund programs for the poor and hungry. I would not be surprised if at some point the food also has to be driven back and forth across that bridge-to-nowhere in Alaska.
But that waste isn't the main reason CARE made its difficult decision, which could allow more human suffering in the near term. Neither is the fact that shipping Nebraskan corn and reselling it in Micronesia, which typically takes five months, isn't the fastest way to help people whose village has been swept away by a tsunami.
The real problem is that we're going commie all over the Third World, and it's having Soviet-style results. Every U.S.-subsidized bag of soybeans we sell to a vegetable oil company in Kenya means less demand for oil-producing crops from a local sunflower farmer. And even if that soy money builds a cool medical clinic, it's going to be a little less cool to the unemployed sunflower farmer.
This scenario is a microcosm of how U.S. corn, soy, cotton, rice and sugar subsidies drive Third World workers out of one of the few businesses available to them. Farm-subsidy rules are to capitalism what Abu Ghraib is to democracy -- only in addition to infuriating foreigners, subsidy rules also bore them.
So CARE is betting that its decision will push Congress to rethink its "buy American" aid policies. "I think people are becoming more sophisticated and understand that if we don't make economies more self-sufficient, we're just perpetuating these cycles of poverty," said Helene Gayle, CARE president and chief executive. "They're starting to understand that this doesn't help in the long run."
She may be right. CARE actually started rejecting indirect food aid more than a year ago, but it was only reported on now that the increasingly controversial farm bill is before Congress.
While Europe, Canada and the U.N. have gotten out of monetizing food aid, the U.S. has amped its program: In 1990, less than 4% of food aid shipments were put through the laundering scheme -- now almost 20% is, which has reduced the actual dollar amount of aid poor people get by 43% over the last five years. Dumping even a small amount of underpriced food can really mess up a small local market, says Cornell University economist Christopher Barrett. "A Kenyan trader told me, 'I don't mind that these guys are competing with me in the market. I just mind that they compete so stupidly. They make the markets so volatile.' " Asking aid workers to run global commodity markets makes about as much sense as letting them talk about what they do at a party.
So until the Democratic Congress gets some guts and, at the very least, approves President Bush's plan to require that 25% or more of food aid be bought locally, I'm giving money to CARE, starting with my pre-tax earnings from this column. If the government isn't willing to save Africa, I'm betting journalism money will.
jstein@latimescolumnists.com
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Backlash against ONE campaign
I've seen 2 articles in major newspapers taking a position against how ONE portrays Africa...as a dark hole of disease and death. The claim is made that western celebrities hype the disaster to further their own careers and minimize the work of Africans. To offer another perspective, here's a message about Africa from an African. My colleague, Lawrence Temwfe, urges Christians to be make their voices heard in their democracy. In his piece to fellow Zambians, he cites the problems they face in terms not unlike what I have heard from the ONE campaign. Their problems are real whether told by Mr. Temfwe, Tony Blair or Bono. We should listen to their appeals for help and act!
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The Constitution Making Process
The church has, for some time now, been reacting to the Constitution-making process debate rather than leading the course to work and make sacrifices toward a good and just nation. As we read of the new developments in our papers and watch the discussions on our screens we are confused, alarmed and worried. As church we ought to be concerned for issues of justice and mercy which may lead to economic security, health care and educational opportunity. As most of the churches in Zambia are doing ministry among people living on $1 per day, we find ourselves in the midst of death and orphans and vulnerable children, of increasing violence against women, drug abuse, prostitution, and rising hopelessness among our youths in our communities. We are faced with these issues of injustice and oppression as we preach the gospel in our communities.
Through out the history of this nation, the church has been doing something to alleviate the sufferings of our people and has contributed to the quest for social justice. We have assisted victims of calamities in our country in relief and development. We are caring for orphans and vulnerable children and their families, preparing them for responsible and productive citizenship. In development programs, the church is laying down the foundation for a effective long-term involvement by integrating courses and workshops in community development for its members. We are doing something. We are establishing the groundwork for the future.
We should consider doing much more than the present scope of our developmental ministries. We believe that Christian involvement in the Constitution making process is not only a missiological option. It is not just a citizen duty but a theological responsibility that can help determine the destiny of our nation. In the coming crucial months in our political life, we need to face the unavoidable reality that we are both Zambian Christians and citizens.
These times call us to reflection and action. As we do, let us remember that the church is called to meet people’s needs through loving them in the way that God loves them. Charles Colson in his book Kingdom in Conflict states that ‘a patriot sees the flaws of his country acknowledges them, weeps for them, but remains faithful in love.’ Let us also remember the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “Whom you would want to change, you must first love” (1987:247). Such an insight brings profound understanding to our minds through the challenge of John 3:16, “God so loved the world that he gave us his only son.” And Jesus’ statement that, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10).
As we advocate for a just and good Constitution, we must submit voluntarily and peacefully to the process and penalty of law. Our response must be done in love, in order, and without violence.
Lawrence Temfwe
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The Constitution Making Process
The church has, for some time now, been reacting to the Constitution-making process debate rather than leading the course to work and make sacrifices toward a good and just nation. As we read of the new developments in our papers and watch the discussions on our screens we are confused, alarmed and worried. As church we ought to be concerned for issues of justice and mercy which may lead to economic security, health care and educational opportunity. As most of the churches in Zambia are doing ministry among people living on $1 per day, we find ourselves in the midst of death and orphans and vulnerable children, of increasing violence against women, drug abuse, prostitution, and rising hopelessness among our youths in our communities. We are faced with these issues of injustice and oppression as we preach the gospel in our communities.
Through out the history of this nation, the church has been doing something to alleviate the sufferings of our people and has contributed to the quest for social justice. We have assisted victims of calamities in our country in relief and development. We are caring for orphans and vulnerable children and their families, preparing them for responsible and productive citizenship. In development programs, the church is laying down the foundation for a effective long-term involvement by integrating courses and workshops in community development for its members. We are doing something. We are establishing the groundwork for the future.
We should consider doing much more than the present scope of our developmental ministries. We believe that Christian involvement in the Constitution making process is not only a missiological option. It is not just a citizen duty but a theological responsibility that can help determine the destiny of our nation. In the coming crucial months in our political life, we need to face the unavoidable reality that we are both Zambian Christians and citizens.
These times call us to reflection and action. As we do, let us remember that the church is called to meet people’s needs through loving them in the way that God loves them. Charles Colson in his book Kingdom in Conflict states that ‘a patriot sees the flaws of his country acknowledges them, weeps for them, but remains faithful in love.’ Let us also remember the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “Whom you would want to change, you must first love” (1987:247). Such an insight brings profound understanding to our minds through the challenge of John 3:16, “God so loved the world that he gave us his only son.” And Jesus’ statement that, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10).
As we advocate for a just and good Constitution, we must submit voluntarily and peacefully to the process and penalty of law. Our response must be done in love, in order, and without violence.
Lawrence Temfwe
Saturday, July 7, 2007
Confusion about Africa and the Farm Bill
It's come to my attention that some areconfused about what the Farm Bill can do for Africa. The Farm Bill issue is separate from helping Africa with debt relief or foreign financial aid. The Farm Bill CANNOT give money to Africa directly. It's potential for good or harm has to do with how we set up our pricing structure for commodities and how much of them we produce.
Federal subsidy money is only granted to farmers who grow cotton, wheat, soy beans, corn and rice. This encourages farmers to grow these 5 crops specifically. By offsetting the cost of production, the US allows the selling price to be artificially low since it creates a glut of these crops AND it makes the farmers investment in it cheaper than real production cost. Therefore, we export them at prices so cheap Africans can actually buy them and have them shipped across the globe for a cheaper price than just growing it there in Africa. But growing commodities are precisely what many Sub-Saharan Africans are trying to do just to feed their families and survive as they have no manufacturing industry to support them. Our system is beating them to the punch and they can't sell their product in their own countries.
By supporting subsidy reform, we can do things like lessen the amount given to big agri-business and redirect it to programs like Food Stamps or rural development. Then you get a double-whammy of good for the poor...you help the hungry here in the States by giving them the money and you enable Africans simply to earn a just and reasonable price for the crops they work hard to grow. This is why we say it is "an issue of justice, not charity."
Federal subsidy money is only granted to farmers who grow cotton, wheat, soy beans, corn and rice. This encourages farmers to grow these 5 crops specifically. By offsetting the cost of production, the US allows the selling price to be artificially low since it creates a glut of these crops AND it makes the farmers investment in it cheaper than real production cost. Therefore, we export them at prices so cheap Africans can actually buy them and have them shipped across the globe for a cheaper price than just growing it there in Africa. But growing commodities are precisely what many Sub-Saharan Africans are trying to do just to feed their families and survive as they have no manufacturing industry to support them. Our system is beating them to the punch and they can't sell their product in their own countries.
By supporting subsidy reform, we can do things like lessen the amount given to big agri-business and redirect it to programs like Food Stamps or rural development. Then you get a double-whammy of good for the poor...you help the hungry here in the States by giving them the money and you enable Africans simply to earn a just and reasonable price for the crops they work hard to grow. This is why we say it is "an issue of justice, not charity."
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