UN Millenium Goals Debunked

Two of my favorite blogs (Chris Blattman, Aid Watch) write about the challenges with UN style aid. The UN set forth the UN Millenium Goals to end poverty (this happened back in 2000). We are coming up on 2010 and many experts question whether these goals will ever be met, and even whether aid is effective. As I am sure you know that this type of aid is "trendy." Bono loves it... Jeffrey Sachs has become a celebrity promoting it. Many people have jumped on board.

The UN Millenium goals hit on some vitally important areas: end poverty and hunger, universal (primary) education, gender equality, child health, maternal health, combat HIV/AIDS, environmental sustainability, and global partnerships. All of these goals match what I am trying to promote with my secondary school international community education program (more info soon). I truly believe these are of extreme importance. Does that mean I follow what the UN and its supporters have to say blindly? No... and you shouldn't either. So do yourself a favour and add these blogs to your RSS feed (make a New Year's resolution to follow all the experts):

Aid Watch

Chris Blattman

The GiveWell Blog

Africa Is Rich - Thank You William Easterly

There is a plethora of blog posts and articles on the struggles of Africa. This is what we read about Africa- the poverty, the disease, the lack of education. And yet the continent is rich with beauty, intelligence, knowledge, kindness- to mention only a few things.

I send students on overseas community volunteer programs. Why do I do this? So they can learn a few things- that they have a role to play in the future of the world and that they can learn a thing or two from people in other areas of the world. Too often I see Canadian youth who believe they have all the answers, that they can "fix" Africa- that Africa is broken and needs to be fixed. This is what we teach our youth. It is time for them to learn that they don't hold the answers. But they can be part of the solution if they respect the people they meet from other countries and really listen to them and learn from them.

So thanks to William Easterly for taking a moment to pause and look at the beauty of Ethiopia in "Africa is Rich." A little side note- I would love to see these types of projects in Uganda- another stunningly beautiful country that for most Westerners is still only known for child soldiers and an oppressive dictator long since gone.