An Open Letter to Everyone Fighting Global Poverty: Dear Colleague: I'm impressed with your work. Our world is a much better place because of it. I strongly agree with what you said:
You’ve joined the United Nations, dozens of of the wealthiest nations, websites that sign up millions of concerned citizens, Bono the rock star and many other talented, caring people in this struggle... Finally, in the last few years, we have growing consensus: Everyone should support the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). That can cut extreme poverty in half by 2015. That’s a very good start, but as you probably know, the MDGs are also a continuation of an international commitment for 0.7 percent of national income (GDP) to end poverty, first made in October 1970 (UN General Assembly Resolution 2626). It’s been reconfirmed many times since... And 37 years later, it's still only partially done. And here's the shocking truth: Shamefully, the USA still only gives 0.23 percent of our national income, 2.3 cents for every ten dollars. And half of that is given for strategic interests, not poverty alleviation. Many other wealthy nations also fall far short on their MDG commitments. But even if all the wealthy nations finally keep their prior commitments, 425 million people would still be chronically hungry in 2015. It seems no one in power has the courage to ask for more. Big problems - bigger
solutions All the charities in the world cannot match the resources government can provide. The Marshall Plan would never have succeeded in helping rebuild Western Europe after World War II, if it depended on private donations. We can learn from the mistakes of previous international aid programs and our own domestic War on Poverty. Our government needs to fund more flexible, comprehensive programs. They work incredibly effectively and at remarkably low cost. Social entrepreneurship programs work directly with those in greatest need. They bypass corrupt and inefficient bureaucracies. Some of these programs are well described in David Bornstein's excellent book, How to Change the World. The Ashoka and Skoll foundations, and others, play an important role, helping these innovative social entrepreneurs. But we need to work on a much larger scale to end extreme poverty. Together, we can do better. Much
better... I can think of no better source of meaning and fulfillment than for us to move further forward for such a cause. A new initiative I believe you strongly agree that all the resources are there to end extreme poverty. All that's really missing is the political will. A visionary campaign can build that will. Here's the solution: “The politicians do not lead, they follow. It’s the
people who lead.” Working together, we can more quickly help hundred of millions of people lift themselves from poverty. Let's talk. Thanks for your consideration - and for all the very good work you're already doing! Sincerely, Bill Blackman You Can Help End Global Hunger and Poverty Press Release for this Campaign Free Newsletter
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