The focus of the Class of 2007 in Honduras was on chronic malnutrition. I have included the links to their informational video. Unfortunately, I cannot embed these videos because they are in Quicktime format. Please learn more about their work and see footage on the ground in Honduras by clicking on the link for the English version or the Spanish version.
Next, I have included a malnutrition graph for all Periclean countries of focus - past, present, and future. Hover over the graph for more information on the data.
From this data, I conclude that the Honduras group's work has impacted the downward trend in malnutrition prevalence. Honduras is one of the more successful nations in this regard. Based on this dataset, I also think that we can and should help to speed up the downward trend in our Southern Asian nations.
The next dataset visualizes the under-5 mortality rate. This data ties specifically to Target 4.A, and we can see how Periclean nations are faring on this target.
Zambia's statistics are abysmal, which means that the Class of 2009 is right on target to pursue a clinic in Kawama village. Haiti is next, which means that perhaps this should be an area of focus for the Class of 2015. Ghana is trending in the right direction, but the Class of 2010 is still spot-on in addressing child mortality by building the Kpoeta Community Clinic. Sustaining the Ghana clinic, enacting the vision of the Zambia clinic, and inspiring the Class of 2015 to consider a Haiti clinic all show progress toward this MDG.
Please watch this Public Service Announcement (PSA) on Healthcare in Ghana, developed by 2010 Periclean Scholar Andie Diemer.
Based on the information in the above videos and charts, what would you recommend to the Periclean Scholars as a course of action? As a global citizen and stakeholder in the Millennium Development Goals, what types of activities would best move forward the countries of focus to reduce the child mortality rate? Collaboration, partnership, and listening to all stakeholders is the lifeblood of Periclean Scholars. There are many ways to go about reducing child death, from addressing malnutrition to prenatal care to immunizations and so on. Your suggestions are valuable, as well as the reasoning behind your suggestions.
The information above in charts and videos, as well as the feedback you provide, are reason #13 to support Periclean Scholars: help achieve Millennium Development Goal 4, reduce child mortality.
My answer is pack your bags and move to the United States, Canada, Great Britain, or any western European country. Hello??? Isn't it obvious after centuries of no change? It's time to change! Teach a person to fish, teach a person to build, and make positive changes in governmental leadership. For 45 years of my life, I can remember seeing these same pictures of hopelessness. All the countries listed on your charts can learn by example. Follow the leader. The United States. Learn. Educate. Make a difference for ones self. Then lead others. Change takes more than the "Audacity of Hope." It takes change. The USA has doubled it's debt since 2009. Doubled it helping other countries. Ask yourself, what have these countries done to help themselves in the meantime? Believe or not, today's financial report says WE are about to collapse. Go bankrupt. Why? Because of caring for the world's problems and putting our money where others mouths are. It's time for a change all right. Change the mindset, one person at a time, and a country will follow.
ReplyDeleteI do not believe that your answer addresses my question, but I will see it as an opportunity to educate.
ReplyDeleteCitizens of the world do not have the opportunity to move to the United States or other nations as readily as our ancestors did. Immigration is much more stringent. Sure, it is eased for temporary relief measures, such as for those fleeing conflict. However, moving all of the world’s people into a few concentrated land masses would be counterproductive. It would lead to greater resource conflict and more war. The United States, Great Britain, France, etc. also cannot take over countries. They lost a taste for that after Hitler’s Holocaust and the decolonization of Africa.
I agree with your statement that we should provide guidance on successful leadership. This is a lot of what the Periclean Scholars program does, and it is what the United States should strive to achieve – mentorship, not takeovers. Even with perfect mentorship, we still need to realize the sovereignty of nations and rational people’s ability to make decisions for themselves as a nation – even if they go against the United States’ wishes at times.
When I met the Zambians in Kawama Village, I knew that they were doing everything in their power to improve their lives. They did so by achieving self-sufficiency in the form of a roof over their heads, and many did so by achieving businesses in their communities. They did not live in the United States. They did not need to meet Americans to have these values. They are not “uncivilized” and a white man’s burden. In fact, they are some of the most hopeful people I have ever met. As you have seen, the vast majority of my Zambia pictures are of smiling faces.
In 1990, all of the world's nations and many NGOs agreed to halve poverty by 2015. Jeffrey Sachs, in his novel The End of Poverty, he set out a blueprint for ending ALL poverty by 2025. You had mentioned that you have seen graphic images for 45 years – so isn’t it amazing that, in 15 years, they can end? All we have to do is follow Sachs’ blueprint and see the value in eliminating those graphic images.
(Continued...)
ReplyDeleteDad, I am troubled that after all of my posts that you still feel that there's a connection between the suffering of developing nations and the debt of the United States. The claim that the United States is in debt because of helping other countries is fundamentally wrong. According to http://www.whitehouse.gov/issues/taxes/tax-receipt, our budget is divided as follows:
26.3% - National Defense
24.3% - Health Care
21.9% – Job and Family Security
Etc., etc…
1.7% - International Affairs
Of the International Affairs budget, 1% is for “foreign affairs” and “security assistance”, in other words, cash for Mubarak; 0.7% is for development assistance. This is less than 1% of our budget and far below the percentage of other developed nations.
It would be a dream if the bailouts went to international development, but instead they went to banks and other private industry. The "other" countries did not see as many - if any - benefits from the quantitative easing measures as the car companies and hedge funds. Money did not go to healthcare for the world’s poorest; rather, it went to the insurance companies who inflated their rates. I think that we (as in the United States) are about to collapse because we are unsustainably greedy. It is a shame that you are placing the blame for our avarice on people who do not have an ounce of debt – who, in fact, have close to nothing.
If we continue to see a world in terms of “us” vs. “them”, our goals cannot be attained. I ask that you have a little more compassion on the plights of others and thank God for the bounty you were given (and had the chance to earn) in life. Humans should have the ability to help and achieve, regardless of where they are born. All lands should be lands of opportunity, and meeting the Millennium Development Goals will help to ensure this can happen.
Oh – and don’t worry – in a couple of days I will address a MDG that the United States is failing miserably at. We’re not perfect, and we have room to improve!
Thank you for the opportunity to educate. :)
Jill - You are absolutely right about many points you've made. But remember the banks were forced to take assistance, and shortly paid back every cent, with interest. A good investment for the US government because WE made money off the banks. Remember, banks are in business to make money, otherwise they would be another hardship case. Stay passionate. I'm very proud of you.
ReplyDelete