Erudite Relics of Loc Huu HoAncora Imparo "I am still learning"
Dec 26
How Does Change Happen? How does change happen? Is your belief defined by your role How does change happen? Read the rest of this entry » Dec 08
Nearly half of the World’s population are currently living below the $US 2 a day poverty line. These numbers only look to increase as the Global population is set to expand by another 1.2 billion over the next ten years, and at the same time the stark income gap is expanding. Currently 40 percent of the poorest make up just 5 percent of the total income while three quarter’s of the world’s income is owned by a mere 20 percent of the World’s richest. Global poverty is another aspect that is directly related to not only climate change but other consumption habits, and in trying to solve the World’s environmental state we can aim to improve the living situations of those impoverished. Yet there are two ways we can have an effect on those barely getting by and dying, and even though being ethical consumers and directly cutting carbon emissions will help, it is worth nothing that our efforts may be better spent addressing their plight head on and that in turn will have a greater impact on the environment as well. This is an interesting argument put up by Bjorn Lomborg, the man who organizes the Copenhagen Consensus and is one of the professors in the Copenhagen Business School, who says that instead of generating our budgets around the matters of climate change alone we should hone them on humanity causes. Lomborg recognizes that by cutting back on carbon emissions we can indirectly reduce the amount of those suffering from hunger, but if we spend our funds directly on Global poverty we can be 5,000 times more effective. Should the money be spent on climate changing matters alone with $180 billion until 2100 the hungry would be spared by 2 million during that time, yet if instead the money was spent in a way mapped out by the UN to attack hunger head on 229 million would be saved right now. Nov 11
Guest Blog: George Roter on Inspiring Success in Others by ben on November 10, 2009Engineering, Engineers Without Borders, Management, Personal No Comments »Original Source: Ben’s Blog At Engineers Without Borders I have the great privilege of working with the most inspiring and motivated people I know. EWB overseas volunteer staff member Thulasy Balasubramaniam pores over plans for a rural enterprise with her colleagues in Zambia  EWB overseas volunteer staff member Thulasy Balasubramaniam pores over plans for a rural enterprise with her colleagues in ZambiaSo what keeps them going? What keeps them asking the tough questions, and not settling for easy answers? What keeps them up at all hours, working for little or no pay to achieve the millions of little “wins” that will be required for the change we seek? I don’t always sit back and reflect on those questions, so consider this post a bit of professional development for yours truly as I try to disaggregate what I’ve learned about helping to create this motivating environment at EWB! I’ve come up with three concepts, each with their own pithy description! Read the rest of this entry » Oct 01
3 Reasons Why You’re Finding It Hard to Find And Keep Volunteers – And What To Do About ItEngineers Without Borders, Management No Comments » Volunteer rates are down, but more people are talking about the importance of volunteering. There’s a disconnect. Here’s why, and what you can do about it.
Outside there’s an audible hum, and it’s increasing in volume by the minute. People are talking about the things that matter, the causes that move them, the communities they love. They are talking about the need to get more active, more involved. Apparently society has decided to give back like never before, and they have decided to do it through volunteering. Or…..have they? Non-profit executives and volunteer managers will tell you a different story. From their perspective, fewer people are showing up and fewer still are willing to make the necessary commitments. Not only that, but the volunteers seem more selfish. The question has become, “What am I getting out of the experience of volunteering?” rather than “What am I giving?” And the widespread popularity of Corporate Volunteering programs only multiply these frustrations. Read the rest of this entry » Aug 01
Engineers Without Borders – Article of the Week Are attacks on CIDA under the banner of aid effectiveness really an excuse to further shirk from our responsibilities and will they actually further hamper the effectiveness of our overseas development assistance? Weigh-in with your comments on this article on www.my.ewb.ca! CIDA Under Attack (From its Own Minister) http://www.themarknews.com/articles/321-cida-under-attack-from-its-own-minister The Harper government seems to be planning a hatchet job on the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) – and it looks like Bev Oda, the minister in charge of the agency, is wielding the axe. At first glance, this might sound far-fetched. After all, the Conservatives have been increasing the foreign aid budget steadily since they were elected. Last year, Canada spent more than $5 billion on aid, a record high. Along with the recent doubling of assistance to Africa and a promise to untie aid completely, these achievements and promises signal a firm commitment to helping poor countries. Or do they? Read the rest of this entry » |
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