OTHERS SEE THE NEED: The world is beginning to understand the fact that giving food aid and emergency medical relief is not solving the underlying problems in developing countries The U.N. has established new targets to combat poverty and boost development.
Jeffery Sachs, economist and special advisor to U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan, has determined that the simple approach of targeting basic needs is the long-term solution. “The key is to give a hand up so that people below the ladder of development who can’t even get on the first rung…can start climbing on their own.”
Micro-credit and micro-finance organizations are addressing some of the needs. Philanthropists from the business sector, private foundations, and even people in Hollywood have begun to focus on humanitarian initiatives to help communities in developing countries. Thanks to singer Bono and the media, the public is tuning in and awaking to their responsibility to share their resources.
According to Dennis W. Bakke, author of “Joy at Work”, the World Bank conducted a study of 70,000 poor people around the world. One of the questions asked was, “What is your most pressing need?” The answer was “the freedom and wherewithal to be entrepreneurs.” They wanted a chance to make the most of their abilities, meet the needs of their families, and do something meaningful for society.