My First State of the World Address
This is my first blog and I'm sure it's going have a very poor start, but we'll get better as we go on. I have thought about starting a web log for some time and tonight I thought I'd make a start and see what comes out of my fevered brow. So what do I start with?
Well, let's start with what everyone (well, the media anyway) is talking about: The Tsunami in the Indian Ocean. I have been amazed by the enormous outpouring of generosity from the public and from individual countries. In the news today I heard that in the UK alone over £100 million had been raised solely from public donations while the government has also pledged over £100 million, but that is nothing compared with countries like Japan and Australia who have pledged $500 million each. According to FT.com $5 billion has been pledged and donated, more than the UN could possibly use for many months. Now this is all very commendable and I am certainly not suggesting that we shouldn't be giving any money for the situation; I have donated some myself. But it is still utterly amazing that so much has been given in such a short amount of time.
It begs to wonder what would have happened if this level of money had been given for Africa instead of South Asia. Tony Blair today tried to remind people that Africa is still a crisis that needs to be solved. He said that a man-made Tsunami of casualties was happening in Africa every week. Where are the billions of dollars for Africa? Millions of people have died in the conflict in the Congo. More people have died there than in any conflict since the Second World War. The problems in Africa cannot be solved by simply throwing large amounts of money at it. It needs a total change in the attitude of the people in power about africa. The global systems that prevent third world countries competing fairly for trade need to be abolished and the enormous debts that have been run up by African countries need to be written off. The British government seem to be committed to making this a priority during their chairmanship of the G8. I hope something happens to ease the suffering in Africa. For years we have been hearing of the millions of people who are dying of AIDS in Africa, (I have supported HopeHIV myself which works with children ophaned by AIDS), let's pray that this year we will see something happening to halt this sad situation. Only today Nelson Mandela announced that his son has died of AIDS. This can only serve to emphasize the how wide-spread this disease is in Africa and halt the shame that many people still feel about it.
There are many problems in the world and I certainly don't have all the answers (or even any answers, I'm glad it's not my job to attempt to solve some of the problems). Money can be helpful in many situations but there is only so much it can do. There needs to be a change of attitude for many people around the world. It is very unlikely that will ever happen. Natural disasters like the tsunami in the Indian Ocean is tragic but the biggest tragedy comes from the thousands of people who die as a result of the greed of others.
Till next time.
Well, let's start with what everyone (well, the media anyway) is talking about: The Tsunami in the Indian Ocean. I have been amazed by the enormous outpouring of generosity from the public and from individual countries. In the news today I heard that in the UK alone over £100 million had been raised solely from public donations while the government has also pledged over £100 million, but that is nothing compared with countries like Japan and Australia who have pledged $500 million each. According to FT.com $5 billion has been pledged and donated, more than the UN could possibly use for many months. Now this is all very commendable and I am certainly not suggesting that we shouldn't be giving any money for the situation; I have donated some myself. But it is still utterly amazing that so much has been given in such a short amount of time.
It begs to wonder what would have happened if this level of money had been given for Africa instead of South Asia. Tony Blair today tried to remind people that Africa is still a crisis that needs to be solved. He said that a man-made Tsunami of casualties was happening in Africa every week. Where are the billions of dollars for Africa? Millions of people have died in the conflict in the Congo. More people have died there than in any conflict since the Second World War. The problems in Africa cannot be solved by simply throwing large amounts of money at it. It needs a total change in the attitude of the people in power about africa. The global systems that prevent third world countries competing fairly for trade need to be abolished and the enormous debts that have been run up by African countries need to be written off. The British government seem to be committed to making this a priority during their chairmanship of the G8. I hope something happens to ease the suffering in Africa. For years we have been hearing of the millions of people who are dying of AIDS in Africa, (I have supported HopeHIV myself which works with children ophaned by AIDS), let's pray that this year we will see something happening to halt this sad situation. Only today Nelson Mandela announced that his son has died of AIDS. This can only serve to emphasize the how wide-spread this disease is in Africa and halt the shame that many people still feel about it.
There are many problems in the world and I certainly don't have all the answers (or even any answers, I'm glad it's not my job to attempt to solve some of the problems). Money can be helpful in many situations but there is only so much it can do. There needs to be a change of attitude for many people around the world. It is very unlikely that will ever happen. Natural disasters like the tsunami in the Indian Ocean is tragic but the biggest tragedy comes from the thousands of people who die as a result of the greed of others.
Till next time.
posted by David Keates at 11:36 pm
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