Border Clashes Create Anger in Turkey

It’s been a while since I’ve written about the Arab Spring, mostly because it’s not really the “Arab Spring” anymore. Egypt, Syria, Libya, and others, have been struggling for two years now, and there is little hope that the conflict will be resolved any time soon, particularly in Syria.   The violence in Syria has …

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The Politics of Pistachios

Sometimes, the strangest things can cause a rift, or continue to push apart, two countries.  It comes as no surprise that the United State and Iran are not ideologically on the same page.  The two nations have been at odds with one another over the development of nuclear energy, and over the years Iran has …

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The Homelessness Series: Andre’s Story

Social justice, good. Charity, bad. At least that’s always been my philosophy. It’s simple. Straightforward. Easy to follow. Maybe that’s the problem. This personal philosophy first developed sometime around my sophomore year in college. After participating in several break trips, and spending a lot of time reflecting on systemic social problems and injustices, I grew …

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Myanmar in the Balance

Regular readers of this blog will know that Myanmar has long been one of my favorite topics.  I’ve written many times, often quite hopefully, about what the future may hold for this isolated country as it begins to open up economically and socially.  New president Thein Sein has made serious moves towards reforming the military-ruled country, …

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The Homelessness Series: Back on My Feet

Anne Mahlum is a runner. Always has been. And in the early mornings of spring 2007, you could often find her running the sidewalks of Philadelphia, before heading to work for the day. On her runs, she would pass apartment buildings, businesses, and even a homeless shelter, which was just a couple blocks away. She …

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Border Clashes Create Anger in TurkeyThe Politics of PistachiosThe Homelessness Series: Andre’s StoryMyanmar in the BalanceThe Homelessness Series: Back on My Feet

Apr 01

Health Is A Right. Health Equity Is Our Goal

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Awareness Building, Global Health

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The other day I went to see a speaker on my college campus. Her name was Renata Schiavo and she is the founder and president of the Health Equity Initiative, a non-profit organization that is dedicated to building community, capacity and communication resources for health equity. Staying true to her mission of spreading awareness, she spoke to us about health equity and it’s importance. I personally found the presentation pretty Blog 10interesting so I thought I would share some of her points.

Conventionally, people tend to talk about health and illness in the biomedical sense, as something that is just an issues with our physical bodies. This model, however, fails to take into the account the many social and economic circumstances that are powerful determinants of our health. Schiavo narrowed these determinants to environment, cultural/social influences, socioeconomic opportunities and access to service. These factors affect individual, community and social behaviors which then influence health outcomes.

As many (but not enough) of us know, not everyone’s social factors are the same. As a result, health care among different populations is not evenly distributed. Health disparities are present globally and continue reduce the opportunity for many countries to develop. There are places and people who are more vulnerable to diseases and disasters, and it prevents them from living fulfilling lives. The essential problem with health care in the global spectrum is the inability to provide adequate care to people living in remote places. Mainly, there is a difference in available resources. Furthermore, these issues are generally seen to affect the poor as they are the population with the worst health. Even in rich countries, it is those with low socioeconomic status who have the poorest health. Lack of education, lack of opportunities, unemployment, and unsafe living conditions are all issues that poor individuals are subject to.

Just an example of health inequity: did you know that 529,000 women die a year in childbirth worldwide? And 99 percent of these deaths occur in developing countries. That is hardly a coincidence. That is more than half a million people dying, not because they are ill or have a disease, but simply because they do not have the education or access to proper care. That’s more than half a million people dying, not because there is something wrong with them or their bodies, but because there is something wrong with our society.

So, what is health equity and why is it important? Health equity, as Schiavo defined it, is providing every person Blog 10 -1with the same opportunities to stay healthy and effectively cope with disease or health-related emergencies, regardless of their race, gender, age, economic conditions, social status, environment and other social factors. First of all, good health is a fundamental basic right of every human being. These social factors should not determine the quality of one’s health. And secondly, good health is a key determinant of economic and social development; it has a positive impact on people’s lives and presents opportunities. I guess the real question is, why is this still an issue when equity is the biggest concern for public health?

I think it comes down to two things. One, inequity is not common knowledge and equity is not necessarily a universal belief. Schiavo shared an interesting statistic: in the U.S. awareness of health disparities has only increased from 54.5 percent to 59% in the last decade and only 49 percent of 2,792 U.S. adults are aware of health disparities among minorities in the country. That means a large portion of people, even in a rich country like the United States, do not know health inequity exists and may not even know that it is affecting them. Not everyone thinks that health equity is something that is possible for everyone. They may agree that everyone should have the opportunity to good health, but they do not necessarily believe that it’s fair that a dying mother in India should receive the same quality of care as one in the States at our expense. But a life is a life, right? Who is to say anyone deserves more or better care than another solely based on their circumstance or geographic location? And the second thing is that health is complicated and multidimensional. It is affected by a myriad of different factors across different fields. It is not just the job of healthcare professionals to be concerned about human health. It takes a village to raise a child and it takes a society to build a healthy nation. Accomplishing good health is a community responsibility which requires community effort. This means that the health works along with the government and businesses should all be involved in improving health care. It must be a multi-sector initiative.

I know this is not as simple as I may be making it sound. I completely acknowledge the complexities of the healthcare field and the difficulties that arise in trying to get everyone to acknowledge and act on them. My point is that in regards to equal health care, we’re on our way but there is still a substantial amount to be done. The first step would be to expand the mission. Like I said, there are still so many people out there that take their health and opportunities for granted. We need to make an active effort to reach these people and show them that others are not so fortunate. With more consciousness, I’d hope that people will have more empathy and make more of an effort to get involved.

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Mar 29

Rhino’s in the dark

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Awareness Building, Environment, General Information, Lessons Learned from...

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So far this year, 156 rhinos have been killed in Southern Africa alone. This means that 2 Rhino’s were killed each day of the year so far. These statistics are shocking. Rhino horns sell for around $60 000 per Kilogram or $30 000 per Pound. One full Rhino horn can weigh up to 13.30 Lbs, and Rhino horn per Lb can cost more than Gold, Platinum and cocaine. It is a known fact that at least 90% of Rhino horns, end up in Vietnam.South_Africa_Vietnam The situation is disastrous. Environmentalists have warned that the tipping point, when the Rhino death rate is higher than the birth rate, is fast approaching.

What could possibly be done to remedy the situation? Since the CITES ban on the sale of Rhino horn, which has been in effect for over 30 years, conservation groups and environmental protection agencies have been battling with poachers, dealers and even Governments. They have tirelessly fought to bring the Rhino back from the brink of extinction. Now, the stakes have been raised higher than ever, as the demand for Rhino horn has skyrocketed, to the extent that a single horn can be sold for up to $360 000.

Since the majority of the Rhino population reside in Southern Africa, environmentalists have, rightfully, pressured the South African Government into taking action. This action has led to an increase in arrests and convictions of poachers. However, even this has failed to curtail the poaching for Rhinos.

The South African Minister of environmental affairs wants to legalize the Rhino horn trade. The minister has said that “We have tried everything else, so let’s talk about this solution.”

Benson Okita-Ouma who is a senior scientist, specializing in rhino conservation at the Kenya Wildlife Service, and is a member of Kenya’s Cites delegation, opposes the Ministers views. He has said that while South Africa has spoken about a debate on trade, the debate was not as open as it was being portrayed. “It is being pushed as if it is the only solution.”

04_three-rhinos Has this particular solution been pushed through, because legalizing the trade will give the Government a right to get its share of the pie? Whatever the reason, I personally think that it is a bad idea that will not serve in saving the Rhino.

If the WWF, at any point, considered legalizing the trade in Rhino horn, in order to save the rhino, why have no studies been conduced into this solution? Many say that legalizing the trade would bring an end to the black market. It will increase the Rhino population. It will create conditions where Rhinos are protected. Some say that it would even alleviate poverty, by way of turning potential poachers into legal rhino “Farm workers.”

But the problem I have is that if the trade was legalized, the power over the market will be transferred from organised crime syndicates to the Government, many will jest about seeing no difference between the two. Governments will control the price and the supply. Will all those organized crime syndicates accept this? I don’t think so. They are and have been enjoying large profits, and will not simply give up a portion of it.

From recent data on the number of Rhino deaths, it is blatantly obvious that the authorities cannot effectively police the ban on the Rhino horn trade. This raises another concern. How will the authorities, control the legal trade in Rhino horn, and prevent the illegal trade? It seems like the workload will effectively be doubled.

Corruption is another concern given the large amounts of money involved. So in theory legalizing the trade of Rhino horn may sound attractive, but I don’t believe it will work. article-2161452-04D37AD60000044D-960_634x432

In the late 80’s and early 90’s, Namibia started a program of de-horning rhinos. This was coupled with effective anti-poaching security. This solution worked wonders and yielded positive results. There are, admittedly, problems with this solution as well, but I believe that it is the best option currently available to bring the Rhino out of the dark

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Mar 29

What Has Happened to Immigrant Rights?

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Awareness Building, General Information, Institute for Social Change

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I’ve written a lot about immigration as well as prison in my time with the SISGI Group. However, it never occurred to me to discuss the two issues together. Which was a huge oversight on my part. Because they often go hand in hand. Immigrants who are here without proper documentation or have visa issues or any number of other problems will periodically have run ins with the law. However, the experience for citizens vs. non-citizens isblog_immigrantsrights2 DRAMATICALLY different.

Imagine you’ve broken some law. It can be something as minor as speeding in your car or as major as a drug arrest. As a citizen, you know what the next steps will be. You’ll be read your rights, possibly taken to prison and then processed. But you know you know more or less what to expect so whatever happens to you will be predictable. You know you’ll be treated with a certain level of respect and you’re entitled to certain things like a phone call and a lawyer if you request one. You know you won’t be kept in jail or a detention center indefinitely. You won’t just disappear.

Now imagine what that process would be like if you weren’t a citizen. You have no idea what’s going to happen to you. You don’t have the same guarantees under the law. And for all you know you’re never getting out or you’re getting deported immediately. And there’s nothing you can really do to change that. You’re not given the opportunity to call someone. You don’t know what these officials can do to you. You’re essentially powerless and likely terrified. And unfortunately this happens way more often that you would think.

By the numbers:

  • 429,000 immigrants were detained in 2011 alone

  • They spent an average of 10 months in a detention center

  • Approximately 300 immigrants held in detentions centers will be kept in solitary confinement on any given day

  • And half of those are in solitary for 15 days or more (which can lead to mental health issues). Sometimes for up to 75 days.

This should not be happening. Unfortunately, how legal system does not really understand a) how to classify undocumented immigrants and b) what to do with them while they’re trying to figure it out. So people are disappearing into these detention centers where they’re often not given proper treatment. And where little oversight exists for the people in charge. I don’t know about you but I wouldn’t want to be held somewhere at the complete mercy of another person. Any person.

Now I know immigrants are not supposed come here without the correct documentation. But it happens all the time icewhether we like it or not. Whether it’s right or wrong. I’m not trying to pass judgement on that issue one way or the other. But I do want to argue that they should have rights while they’re here. They are still people. They are living in this country. And they deserve to be treated as such. They cannot simply be held indefinitely, without a conviction in what is essentially a prison. Maybe they did commit a crime. And maybe we do need to take action. But that MUST be decided through a legitimate, legal process. People’s civil and human rights simply cannot be brushed aside for any old reason.

Immigration has become a hot button issue in the United States recently. The Obama administration has been working with Congress on an immigration overhaul. I don’t know what exactly will be in it and I don’t know how it will affect the millions of undocumented immigrants in this country. But I do hope it addresses the their lack of rights and the gross misconduct currently taking place in detention centers.

I may not be able to directly affect how that bill plays out. But I will do everything I can to make sure these human rights violations stop. And I hope you will too. So don’t stick your head in the sand. Be aware of the problem and don’t be afraid to talk about it. Let’s stand up for what’s right. Let’s making a lasting difference in the world.

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Mar 26

Vaccines, Herd Immunity and Social Responsibility

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Awareness Building, Global Health

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Having shadowed a good number of doctors in my past I’ve had the opportunity of being familiar with a lot of the difficulties they face with patients. One such difficulty is trying to get parents to vaccinate themselves and their children. There have been several occasions in which a doctor has expressed to me his or her frustration in havingBlog 9 to continually explain to patients the advantages of being vaccinated. Despite the well-documented health benefits of receiving vaccinations, the use of vaccines has been seen to have declined over time. Some claim that vaccines do not work and lead to dangerous side effects. Critics also say that mandating vaccinations violates individual liberty and religious principles. What many don’t realize is that by not getting vaccinated they are putting more at risk than they think.

Vaccines are the only natural way to protect someone from a disease. Through vaccinations the immune system recognizes pathogens and develops a suitable response before a person is affected with the real disease. And isn’t prevention better than a cure? Rather than a person being treated after diagnoses, a vaccinated person will be immune to the pathogen and will (usually) never develop the disease. They will not have to experience the suffering and and sometimes crippling effects of the illness. Vaccine-preventable diseases, like smallpox which is now eradicated, were once a major cause of illness, death and disability throughout human history. The modern vaccine era showed that when people get vaccinated mortality rates decrease dramatically and birth rate is higher. Even now, healthcare professionals contend that vaccinations are necessary in preventing debilitating illnesses and that vaccinations are instrumental in eliminating such diseases.

Furthermore, being vaccinated has also proven to be more economical by protecting from the negative monetary effects of disease. Less money is set for social and health transfers; the government does not need to prepare for an outbreak which would require large amounts of money to subside and eradicate it.  And look at it this way, those who are vaccinated will be healthy enough to do their jobs, increasing the productivity rates which is beneficial to the economy overall, as well.

There have been many accusations stating that vaccines lead to dangerous side effects such as negative symptoms, paralysis, diabetes and autism. The difference between vaccines and other medical interventions is that they are given to healthy people. Healthy people are generally less willing to accept and tolerate the negative effects of the vaccination. For example, when you get the flu shot you may feel like you have flu-like symptoms for the next few days. But trust me, it’s probably nothing compared to what the real flu would feel like. As accusations of supposed detrimental effects come up, the faith in treatment dwindles and it becomes challenging for health authorities to preserve public support of the vaccine initiative. Though there is scientific evidence that in some rare cases vaccines can cause dangerous health defects, current evidence does not fully support these claims.  Blog 9-1Moreover, vaccines have come a long way as time has passed. In the end, I guess this argument comes down to whether the risks of supposed adverse side effects outweigh the benefits of preventing the effects of a harmful disease.

Getting vaccinated can be seen as a social contract in which people are taking action to protect themselves and their community. Vaccines are important for the greater good in that they prevent those who are ineligible for vaccination such as young babies, cancer patients, and people with immune deficiencies, from contracting diseases — giving us herd immunity. What is herd immunity you may ask? Herd immunity occurs when a significant portion of a population is vaccinated, thus providing a measure of protection for individuals who have not developed immunity. This makes it difficult for a disease to spread because there are so few people susceptible to the infection. Herd immunity is necessary to effectively stop the spread of disease in a community because it protect vulnerable people such as children and those who have weak immune systems. If vaccination rates fall, herd immunity is lost and leads to an increase in cases.

The way I see it, people almost have a social responsibility to get vaccinated (if they can). A responsibility to their children, their community and in a sense, the world.  Those who opt out of the recommended immunizations should inform their healthcare providers, schools and community so that they may be aware. These people are essentially rolling a dice and putting more than themselves at risk.

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Mar 25

Tourism in Cuba?

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Awareness Building, Economic Development, Environment, General Information, International Economic Development, Sustainable Impact, Tourism

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I’ve written a lot about the opening up of Myanmar and Bhutan and their possibilities for sustainable tourism, so today I thought I would look at another isolated country: Cuba.  Travel between the United States and Cuba hasCuba been forbidden since February 8th, 1969, just a few months after the end of the Cuban Missile Crisis.  President Kennedy hoped the travel embargo would send a message to Cuba and the world about the dangers of aligning with the Soviet Union, but now, two decades after the end of the Cold War, people are beginning to question the logic behind the ban.  Granted, Cuba remains a socialist republic and has a rather poor human rights record, but for the United States to continue to completely ban travel to and from Cuba (with a few notable exceptions like journalists, researchers, humanitarian workers, Anthony Bourdain, etc) seems, to some, to be a little extreme.

The US ban on travel certainly hasn’t stopped tourists from flowing into Cuba, as European, Asian, and even North and South American tourists have allowed Cuba to develop a fledgling travel economy.  Visitors can now choose from an array of freshly-scrubbed hotels and new restaurants (though many government owned); quite a changeCuba2 from Cuba just 10 years ago!  Cuba even participated in the most recent Moscow International Travel and Tourism (MITT) Fair as a special guest country, which is no surprise given that Russia remains one of Cuba’s main partners, with over 86,000 Russian tourists having visited Cuba in 2012.  At the MITT Fair, the Cuban Minister Manuel Marrero announced that the Ministry of Tourism plans to continue renovating and improving the country’s hotels and heritage sites in order to draw in more tourists and improve the travel economy.  Clearly, Cuba is working to become a major travel destination, which is no surprise given that tourism is the only real revenue stream Cubans can count on.

There are downsides, though, to increasing tourism in Cuba.  The environment, for one, could suffer greatly from an influx of foreign tourists.  Cuba’s strict laws prevent even locals from entering some areas, thus keeping them pristine and beautiful.  A tourist boom–which seems inevitable if the US were to drop the travel embargo–would encourage the Cuban government to ease restrictions to allow travelers access to these natural paradises, which would then, of course, not be pristine paradises any longer.  Additionally, as some have already noted, the increase in tourism just in the last 10 years has “prettified” some of the traditional Cuban landmarks, like the once-scruffy Dos Hermanos bar where Hemmingway reportedly drank.   The Cuban Ministry of Tourism would have to work hard to ensure that Cuba retains the mystery and natural beauty that makes tourists so eager to visit, or else the tourism would not be sustainable.  Once the draw of visiting a formerly forbidden country wears off, the

Cuba3

cultural heritage sites and beautiful beaches must be enough to encourage future tourism.

Additionally, there is still the issue of human rights abuses and, especially, child sex trafficking.  Investigations have shown that many Canadian, Spanish, and other male tourists regularly visit the island in order to have sex with minors, and the Cuban government has refused to discuss this issue.  The Cold War may no longer be a valid reason to forbid travel to Cuba, but is this?  Let me know what you think in the comments!  Should the travel embargo be removed, or are the human rights abuses still too much?  Can Cuba support sustainable tourism, or will the boom destroy the very areas that draw tourists to Cuba?

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Mar 21

The Homelessness Series: The Pursuit of Happyness

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Awareness Building, General Information, Lessons Learned from...

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I’m just going to start off with the disclaimer: I love the movie The Pursuit of Happyness. I really do. However, I have one major objection to the film, which I would like to discuss with you.

For those of you who haven’t seen the movie, here’s the SparkNotes version: A man named Chris Gardner invests all of his life-savings into an expensive set of bone-density scanners, which he hopes to sell for great profits to doctors and hospitals. The problem? The scanners are an innovative, yet completely unnecessary expense, which most hospitals don’t want or need. His near-sighted and foolish decision quickly plunges his family into debt, as rent Poster-pursuithappynesschecks, taxes, and numerous other bills all begin to pile up. Before he knows what is happening, his wife has left him, he’s kicked out of his own apartment, and is forced to live on the streets of San Francisco with just a few dollars to his name. Desperate for a steady job, Chris takes on an unpaid internship with Dean Witter with the hopes of earning himself the one (very high-paying) job as a stockbroker with the company at the end of the six month program.

The Pursuit of Happyness resonates so profoundly with viewers because it is the classic rags-to-riches story. Chris Gardner takes the risks. He puts in the long hours. He proves his worth, and (spoiler alert) ends up landing himself the coveted job at Dean Witter. He continues to climb the ladder of success, founding his own investment firm, by the name of Gardner Rich, and eventually sells a minority stake in his brokerage firm in a multi-million dollar deal several years later. It’s the epitome of the American Dream.

Viewers love seeing one man’s journey from the depths of poverty into a self-made businessman. After all, that’s what America’s all about. We’re the land of opportunity. There’s nothing that makes us happier than when people “pull themselves up by their boostraps”, and actually make a name for themself. We’re left inspired. Exhilarated. In awe of Chris’ ingenuity, grit, and determination to do whatever it takes to accomplish his dreams. In the words of one IMBd user:

As I watched him I was inspired greatly! As my wife said “Look at his attitude and the way that he ‘carried’ himself through all of it. He didn’t bring on the feel sorry for me thing.” That truly he would have had every right to disclose his problems, but he simply kept on keeping on, until…. he won!! I think every good American should watch and get inspired by this story. It makes you think and feel, it changes perspective. Bravo Mr. Gardener. Recommended highly. You’ll learn a lot, this story is priceless.

Similar responses were documented in many online reviews of the film. Viewers were taken by Chris’ optimistic spirit and relentless work ethic. Words like “uplifting”, “heartwarming”, and “inspiring” could be found in nearly every review, as viewers were swept away by Chris’ journey.

The problem with stories like Chris’ is that they are often the exception, not the rule. He’s the one in a million, the anomaly, the lucky one who was fortunate enough Read the rest of this entry »

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Mar 19

Running Out Of A Renewable Resource

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Awareness Building, Environment, General Information

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As we approach World Water Day (March 22) I thought it would be interesting and relevant to take a look at one of the most commonly used resources of our world. Covering approximately 70% of the earth, it’s hard for anyone to think that water is something that we could ever run out of. Something that is considered a renewable resource, we always expect the water cycle to do its job of refilling what has been extracted. I recently read an article in National Blog 8 - waterGeographic that provided me with something I wasn’t aware of. While for the most part water is replenished by rain, it is only true for surface water. A lot of the water people use is extracted from beneath the ground and is not always refilled, and now there are many who are finding their water sources running low.

People use water for a number of different things. Aside from the obvious drinking, cooking and washing, water is also used for producing goods such as food, paper, clothing, etc. Recently many countries have also externalized their water footprint, importing water-intensive goods from elsewhere. This has put more pressure on water-exporting regions, where governance and conservation is generally lacking. As mentioned, as we continue to use up water from rivers and lakes we begin to become dependent on subterranean water which is stored underground and in rocks. No one truly knows the amount of water in the ground, but what we do know is that it is being emptied at rapid rates as this crisis becomes a growing global issue. Eventually wells will need to be dug deeper, pumps will be even bigger and we will soon be tapping into the water supply of future generations.

Blog 8-1National Geographic attributes much of this problem to unsustainable agriculture. Farming accounts for two-thirds of the water taken from nature. However, in some of the driest regions it accounts for about 90 percent of their water. The U.S. has seen from experience how aquifers such as the Ogallala, which was once extremely successful increasing crop yields, is now being sucked dry as the outputs of the wells have been halved. Other places are seeing similar problems; water tables are falling dramatically by the years and pumping is getting harder. The fear is that water-security will soon be as big of an issue as energy.

As the world’s water supply runs short countries will find it difficult to feed its people. Importing crops from other water-rich countries will only prove viable for so long. Soon enough the number of countries with available water will also begin to run low. Before that, however, the wells will begin to produce salty and toxic water which could affect the health of people consuming it. They may suffer from physical and mental disabilities, muscle degeneration, organ failure or cancer.

Solutions to this problem involve several plans of action not only by governments, but also by consumers and communities; everyone must play a larger role in trying to achieve better management of water resources. To Blog 8- water2begin, we must address agriculture. Research regarding water-efficient farming must continue. We need to start looking for innovative ways to grow more crops using less water for irrigation, for example drip-irrigation. Furthermore, we need to stop depleting water sources in countries that are clearly running low. Monitoring and placing limits on pumping should be implemented in order to conserve water. Besides refocusing agricultural investments, we can take some action at home in our own water-use practices. I think a lot of us take water for granted and are often wasteful with its use. Let us all be more aware of our water usage. Do you let the water run when you brush your teeth or do the dishes? If we are more practical and prudent with how we consume water at home then we may find our demand decrease. With this, we will no longer need to extract at the current scale, nor will we need to outsource water from other countries. We should consider future generations when consuming water. It is vital that we use our resources sparingly and with caution.

 

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Mar 18

Slacktivism is not Activism

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Awareness Building, General Information, Sustainable Impact

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Social media has become a fact for civil society. The ability to become involved with a social cause is literally at the tip of our fingers. Internet applications such as Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube facilitate the creation and exchange of user-created content on today’s social movements. Hype can be generated on social issues with explosive debates carried out through blogging, or changing one’s status on a facebook page. It gives those who participate in these campaigns an illusion of having a meaningful impact on the world. These types of users of social media hashtag 2are often referred to as slacktivists.

The term Slacktivism as defined by Evgeny Morozov is feel-good online activism that has zero political or social impact. Over the past decade the growth of social media has been impressive.  We believe we are being active, maybe making a difference simply by clicking a button, or adding our name to a petition. Through social media, large numbers of people can sign up, to a campaign without too much being asked of them. This is because social media allows us to connect with any organization with little or no effort.

For instance one year ago, Invisible Children created a 30-minute non-profit video Kony 2012, and generated an unprecedented level of social media buzz. The video demanded the global community capture and send to trial militant leader Joseph Kony, in the International Criminal Court by the end 2012. The record-setting YouTube documentary, fueled an enormous social media phenomenon. While Kony is certainly famous, and perhaps among the most wanted men in the world, he is still at large. Kony 2012 received significant criticism across the web, but the films inherent criticism was its promotion of slacktivism.

hashtag 4Facebook sharers, and twitter supporters of the Invisible Children campaign  were accused of being slacktivists. By tweeting, and adding their name to the Kony 2012 petition they were doing nothing to impact the Invisible Children organization . But does this mean using social media to generate awareness is a bad thing; is it fair to say everyone clicking a button is a slacktivist?

I think it is what we choose to do with social media and the information we receive that indicates whether we are slacktivist. Despite what we think about Kony 2012, there is no denying social media brought awareness to the plight of the Invisible Children. However, this is where our own personal responsibility becomes paramount.

Armed with awareness, it is now our responsibility to seek out the organizations in the afflicted areas that are directly helping the children, women and families after conflict. One such organization is the   International Rescue Committee (IRC) . The IRC has been responding to some of the world’s worst humanitarian crises for years. They have been instrumental in providing health services, safe water, and sanitation for hundreds of thousands of  Ugandans displaced by Joseph kony and his Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA).

In 2002, Uganda’s  Amnesty Commission  designated the  IRC  the lead agency in receiving and reintegrating into society formerly abducted children and young adults. Tens of thousand of children were abducted, turned into soldiers, porters, cooks, or sex slaves. Many were killed or forced to harm or kill others, including their own relatives. The IRC has included many former child soldiers as staff members as  they strive to restart their lives. They also train healthcare workers to provide clinical care to survivors of sexual assault.

Many of the women and girls gave birth to babies as a result of rape and sexual exploitation. IRC mental health workers are also trained to prevent mother to child transmission of HIV. The survivors, even after the conflict, are vulnerable to sexual violence and abuse stigmatized by their peers. The IRC work with local organizations to start innovative telephone hotlines where survivors can call to learn what services are available. They also started short-term loan programs for primary  women to try out business ideas. It is low cost way to provide financial services to the poor in rural areas, where banks are reluctant to invest.

They IRC do not only work in the fields. They are involved in informing politicians and diplomats around the world about the crisis wrought by the LRA.  The members work with policymakers and journalist, and lobby for action on behalf of the victims of the LRA.  In recognition of their work the IRC president George Rupp was invited to the White House as President Obama signed into law the Lord’s Resistance Army Disarmament and Northern Uganda Recovery Act of 2009.

Kony 2012 video provided us with information on the plight of the Invisible Children. But, we fell short when we got caught up in the hype of Kony 2012 and didn’t do the necessary research to be effective. Instead of just raising awareness, research the issue and support organizations like the IRC, which make a real difference for the children impacted by the LRA.  If we claim we are concerned and have a desire to help, examine other  charities in the region that are associated with resettling the children, and getting them the aid they need. Seek out organizations that are directly involved in with working with the children at the heart of the crisis. Seek out ways to assist the children, their families and the organizations that work to get them resettled and reunited. It is organizations like the IRC that continue to work with survivors of that era, that deserve our attention and donations.

It is not about social media, or the way in which the message was delivered. It is now about being armed with the information and what we choose to do with it. The next time a cause is flashed across social media. Let us not be accused of being a loud campaign in virtual space.

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Mar 15

Exploring the New Frontier: Space Mining

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Economic Development, Environment, General Information, International Economic Development, Technology

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Growing up, many of you have probably watched Star Trek. Exploration of space was an exciting prospect indeed. What fascinated me though, while watching, was the huge abundance of resources available, such as basic raw materials, energy, even food and water. I remember thinking that if this was actually possible it would solve all of Earth’s problems. Poverty, famine and climate destruction would be a thing of the past.

But is it just science fiction? Space-Economy-Gold-Rush-Planetary-Resources

Years ago I would have said “Yes!” Today I believe that Space Mining is a scientific fact. “It’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind” as said by Neil Armstrong. It has been over 50 years now since his words, came crackling from the moon. Major strides, around the subject of Space, have since been taken.

Space mining is real. There are currently two companies gearing up to start with that very endeavor,  a company named Deep Space Industries, and another named Planetary Resources. Both have drawn up accelerated plans to prospect asteroids, and other near Earth objects, with the view of mining in the future. I say accelerated because these companies plan to have their probing done by 2015, and plan to begin mining as early as 2023. This has been further accelerated by NASA and President Obama, who have created a change of focus from the Moon, to near Earth objects, particularly for mining purposes.

These companies are searching primarily for metals. However, water and hydrogen are also a high priority, as these could be used to produce rocket fuel in Space itself, which would further aid exploration activities. A plan currently exists to build a Space fueling station, for that very purpose.

Why Space, what if there nothing to be found? 122057-artist-rendering-of-a-quasar
It is proven that there are a vast number of objects to be found. There are over 9000 asteroid’s viably close to the Earth. The largest body of water has also been found in Space, it has a volume that is 140 trillion times more, than our own oceans. Those numbers are simply astronomical, pardon the pun. Just last month, the asteroid 1012_DA14 measuring a mere 150feet (45m) zoomed passed Earth. It, however, had $65 billion worth of water and $130 billion worth of metals within it. Imagine what the numbers would be for, even a slightly, larger asteroid.

How can this solve our problems, here on Earth?

This for me is the most exciting part, if all these resources are brought to Earth, an unlimited supply would be created. Think back to those stories, told by your parent and grandparents. The ones about how much milk used to cost, or how much they forked out for their cars. Those prices were laughably low. If resources could possibly be brought in from Space, it would bring an end to inflation all together. All that we will be paying for is the means of production. This could eliminate poverty worldwide, as there will be an abundance of water for growing food, and an abundance of metals and other materials for housing. Furthermore, mining on earth would become obsolete, freeing up valuable land, for farming and habitation. This is very possible because of one simple law, the law of supply and demand. A huge supply of a resource, coupled to an equally huge demand, means the price of those resources will drop significantly.

What are costs and legal implications?

Yes, the fact is that the initial costs are high. However like any new means of production, the initial costs will be recovered relatively quickly. Most of the costs will be negated, for the mined resources will also be used in the process of mining itself, for example, powering the Space vehicles and machinery with water and hydrogen from asteroids. The lack of atmosphere in Space also ensures an almost unlimited workable life for machinery and tools. These technologies have already been built and tested, and they stand at the ready.

fuel-miningOn the subject of Laws, new Laws will, eventually, be needed according to Professor Frans Van Der Dunk. However he believes that, the 1967 Exploration of Space treaty Sec 2 which states: No claims of sovereignty can be made by any Country in Space,  will suffice and ensure no legal issues, from the process of mining, and from the process of bringing resources to Earth.

What about deep sea mining, as an alternative?

The main issue with deep sea mining lays in the fact that, the ocean’s resources are completely unknown and undetectable. Resources available from Asteroids and other near Earth objects are presently detectable, measurable and fully known.

Earth is going into a crisis from drastic climate changes. Drastic problems call for drastic solutions. If those solutions lay in Space, then I, resoundingly, say “Go for it!” Considering Mankind’s survival is at stake, I’m sure you would say the same.

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Mar 15

Proof One Person Really Can Make a Difference

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Awareness Building, General Information, One Person Changing the World

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It occurred to me the other day that we really ask a lot of the people who read our website. At the end of our posts we always ask you to do something to make a difference or to get involved in some way. And I personally love that about our site. But I know that can be somewhat overwhelming at times. It’s hard to imagine that an average person could change the world in a meaningful way. I know I certainly feel overwhelmed at times. But there has been an amazing story in the news recently highlighting just how muchwhat-gsa one person really can do.

That person is Bayli Silberstein from Orlando, Florida. She is a bisexual 8th grader at Carver Middle School. Bayli is openly bisexual and is attempting to start a Gay Straight Alliance in her school. Unfortunately she has a received a lot of push back from the school itself as well as the Lake County School Board. They know they cannot reasonably deny her request for a club under the current rules, so the School Board is voting soon on new rules that would restrict the number and focus of clubs within the Middle Schools in the district. But rather than accept that, this courageous 8th grader has decided to fight back against the School Board. People throughout her community as well as the ACLU have gathered to support her cause and discourage the School Board from passing the new restrictive laws.

A vote has not yet taken place on the issue. So we don’t know exactly how this situation will playout. But even if Bayli is not successful in creating her club, she has nothing to be ashamed of. Her actions have given voice to so many others who were too afraid and too bullied to speak up. She has brought attention to an issue that many people don’t think to address. And has attempted to create a safe space for ALL the people in her school. Not just certain groups of people. Even if Bayli and her supporters lose this initial vote I’m willing to bet that the new restrictive rules will not stand. Other school boards in Florida have recently allowed GSA clubs in their districts even after initial resistance to it. And the same thing will likely happen with the Lake urlCounty district. So in the end, this one 8th grade girl will have made a difference in her own life, the lives of other LGBT students in her district, and in the lives of LGBT students around the nation.

It’s a shame that we still face issues like these in today’s world. But unfortunately that’s just the reality we live in. But people like Bayli give me hope. She was brave enough to stand up and not accept the status quo. And what’s equally wonderful, people decided to stand up with her. They saw what she was doing was right and decided to support her. We really all can be changemakers. We can have a sustainable impact on society. And Bayli has demonstrated one of the best way to do that. Her GSA club will continue affecting the students at her school long after she graduates. She started the movement but happily it will continue on even without her direct involvement. But she also created an opportunity for other people to make a difference with her. She was the catalyst but this GSA club will happen because of all the people who supported her and the movement they created.

So anytime you start feeling discouraged, just think of Bayli Silberstein. She stood up against injustice. She changed the lives of the people around her. And you can too.

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