The Legatum Prosperity Africa Prize is a program which "seeks to recognize and reward the best of small business in emerging markets." The grand prize winner received $100,000 for training and business development.
Check out the trailer for Unlocking Africa, a documentary on the Legatum Pioneers of Prosperity Africa Prize program. More info on this awesome endeavor to come!
In a timely article, the Associated Press this weekend published the results of a study that looked for the presence of pharmaceuticals in the U.S. drinking supply. The results, while not a surprise to many experts in the field, have resulted in a flurry of articles and discussions raising questions about the safety of our water supply.
The A.P. monitored the drinking supplies of major U.S. cities and smaller communities in all 50 states across a period of five months. The results revealed small traces of drugs in the drinking supply of 41 million Americans. While the traces were very small (parts per billion or trillion), questions are now being raised about the health impact of long-term exposure to these pharmaceuticals.
The A.P. isn't the only group to raise questions recently about the safety of the U.S. water supply. Dr. Robert D. Morris, an environmental epidemiologist and researcher in the field of drinking water, recently published a book called The Blue Death: Disease, Disaster, and the Water We Drink that explores the story of drinking water, from England during the cholera outbreaks through the early construction of U.S. cities and to the modern day, both in the U.S. and overseas. In the book, Morris argues that the current infrastucture meant to deliver clean, safe water is inadequate, both in the U.S. and internationally. Pointing to outbreaks of waterborne diseases in Minnesota, Canada, and Africa, Morris contends that it is time to reexamine our current thinking about safe water and take proactive steps to ensure future access to clean, safe water worldwide.
While a lot of attention has been given to the presence of bacteria or pharmaceuticals in our water supply in recent months, controversy still exists about the long-term effect of this trend. Is the U.S. at risk for an epidemic caused by a water-borne pathogen or by side-effects caused by long-term exposure to low doses of drugs? How quickly should the government and private industry respond to studies like the recently published A.P investigation and books like Dr. Morris'? How concerned are you about the water you drink, based on these recent reports?
Far and away, the most popular keyword searches for online donations and volunteer opportunities are focused on projects and organizations working with "children." It's not surprising, then, that many of the largest nonprofits in the United States (and indeed the world) run programs and marketing campaigns around youth-based causes.
Considering the public's demonstrated interest in children and education, it's worth noting that few child-centric organizations have made any significant waves in the online world. One group that consistently bucks that trend, however, is DonorsChoose.
If you haven't heard of it already, DonorsChoose is an online portal where teachers can post projects and solicit funding for relevant school supplies and activities. Think Craigslist for classrooms. DonorsChoose best leverages the internet by taking teachers with specific needs and connecting to donors with specific interests. Where the two meet in the middle - voila - is the magic moment where a transaction is made; a classroom is provided for; a teacher's vision is validated; a donor receives the confirmation and gratification that comes with effective giving; children receive an enhanced education experience. And then, shortly thereafter, the donor receives a thank you and a project update. It is the quintessential example of education philanthropy in a wired world.
So my question is this - where else might we replicate this model? How do we take the DonorsChoose model and extend it beyond the hallowed halls of American education? Look what Kiva.org has done for microfinance. What other philanthropic markets are itching for an internet-based innovation? Healthcare? Insurance? Social enterprise? International Development?
What about you? Where do you see the next innovation in online philanthropy?
Question: What does your vocabulary skill have to do with third world hunger? Until now, not much. But thanks to the good folks at FreeRice.com, now you can help alleviate malnutrition in developing nations by simply testing your vocab skills.
Sounds crazy, but it's working. In the couple weeks since it's launch, almost 200 million grains of rice have been donated. (The rice will be distributed by the United Nations World Food Programme.)
What does "initiate" mean?
A. Strew
B. Nap
C. Begin
D. Engage
If you got that right, you just donated 10 grains of rice to a hungry person in the developing world. It's that easy. For each question you get right, 10 more grains of rice gets donated (thanks to the advertisers on the site). Like the GMAT, as you get more answers right, your questions get harder (but don't fear, they get easier as you answer questions incorrectly).
It's really addictive -- I played till I had donated 1000 grains of rice, then had to stop myself and get back to work. It also appeals to the competitors among us, as your vocabulary skill gets ranked by level (levels range from 1 - 50, with few people topping 48 -- current score to beat is 40).
This is the kind of innovative, creative solution we love to support, so check it out. (And let us know if you top our level 40 rating!)
In this morning's New York Times, Thomas Friedman writes about being both "baffled and impressed" by today's 20-somethings. Impressed by their optimism and idealism, and baffled by their non-radical nature and lack of political engagement. He has dubbed them "Generation Q," as in, The Quiet Americans, for their propensity to pursue their idealism quietly.
As someone who came of age in the radical 60s, Friedman's discontent with this generation's apparent acceptance of authority is understandable. Friedman challenges today's 20-somethings to do more than join a Facebook group or click a link to "sign" a petition. He believes that outrage is a mandatory component in making change, and that "they have to get organized in a way that will force politicians to pay attention rather than just patronize them." (Wall Street
might have something to say about the organizing abilities of Generation Y, given the recent mumblings of a $10 billion Facebook valuation.)
Perhaps utter discontent with the status quo is at the root of revolution. However, is one generation necessarily less altruistic, motivated or effective because they choose to make change using different tactics? Who's to say that children of the digital age won't be more effective than previous generations at making broad impacts, given their savvy understanding of how to use the internet to reach, inspire and activate people across distance, class, race and
age?
Friedman claims that "activism can only be uploaded the old-fashioned way -- by young voters... face to face, in big numbers, on campuses or the Washington Mall." What do you think? Is virtual activism real activism? Can today's generation effect change from behind their computer screens and through their iPhones? Or does it have to be done the "old fashioned" way? Tell us...
Today, at the opening of the third annual Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) conference, he announced the launch of his new initiative, MyCommitment.org. The site aims to "help improve the world, one action at a time," by encouraging people to pledge how they will make the world a better place. They are seeking to: 1) inspire change, 2) build community, 3) facilitate action, and 4) strengthen engagement.
From the site: "This site is inspired by the idea that as global citizens, we all have the unprecedented ability to help others achieve their dreams and realize a better future. Anyone -- regardless of age, income, education or where you live -- can do something that has a lasting impact and makes a difference in the lives of others, both down the street and around the world."
Today I was reminded of one of the many reasons why I love my hometown, Arlington, Virginia.
As a volunteer ESL teacher for the past seven years, I have grown to love and respect the people who come to my class from all over the world. They show up to learn English, night after night, after twelve hour days on the construction site, in the the restaurant kitchen, or cleaning our homes and buildings. And without fail, they come with an an open mind, an eagerness to learn and deep gratitude for the opportunies the United States offers them.
So it has been disheartening for me to witness the recent trend towards anti-immigrant measures enacted by local communities throughout Northern Virginia. It was particularly disconcerting to see Herndon choose to shut down their day-labor center, thus forcing hard-working men back out onto the streets and out of the job market. While I respect diversity of opinion, I have to say I was shocked at the ignorance of some of the motivations behind the closing. Exhibit A: Ann Null, a council member who opposed opening the center before she retired in 2005, said she hoped its closing would induce illegal residents in the town to leave the country. "There's a construction boom in Panama," she said. "They can find jobs in a country where they don't have to learn the language." Are you kidding me?
With the anti-immigrant sentiment swirling all around us, naturally I've been concerned about the possible impact these recent precedents would have on our community in Arlington. So I was relieved when I read this morning's press release from Arlington County:
"The Arlington County Board today adopted a resolution expressing support for immigrants and calling upon state and federal officials to enact policies that promote the integration of immigrants into society," the release states. The Board resolution affirms that Arlington "rejects policies and practices that promote discrimination, hostility, abuse, exploitation, and fear of government." Arlington, the resolution states, "is committed to be a welcoming community that recognizes the contributions of all of its members, in all of their diversity."
It reaffirms my faith in our society's willingness and ability to find solutions to our challenges, rather than turning our heads in ignorance. Thanks, Arlington, for adopting a policy of inclusion which manages to abide by our Federal laws while smartly addressing the realities of our wonderfully diverse community.
I admit I'm fairly uneducated about the issue of homelessness in America, so someone please educate me.
Take a look at this video out of St. Petersburg, FL, which shows local police slashing through a homeless tent-city.
It's pretty shocking, and raises lots of questions. So before making an ill-informed judgement, I'd love to get answers to some of these questions. What's the background here? What were the police trying to accomplish? What other tactics had they tried prior to this? Who were the folks on the losing end of this slash-fest? Had they committed crimes?
I'd like to give the benefit of the doubt to the police, that there was some rationale for the decision to destroy the "homes" of these folks. But the video is pretty harsh, and doesn't portray the powers-that-be very favorably. As someone not in-the-know about how we're dealing with homelessness these days, please tell me -- is this how we're dealing with homelessness these days?
By this time, if you're familiar with Razoo, you might have heard the elusive (but intriguing) term "speed granting" mentioned. You might have stayed up, late at night, wondering, "What is this amazing Speed Granting they incessantly refer to?"...and you'll be comforted to know that right now, in this clever little blog, I will clarify all things mysterious and EXCITING about Razoo's Speed Granting.
1) Speed Granting lives on facebook. Its open to anyone and everyone with a facebook account and a passion. To join facebook go to: www.facebook.com
2) Speed Granting is: a fun and easy way to win some serious cash for your favorite organization, learn about good stuff going on in our world, meet other passionate people and win prizes...it runs over a two-week period and awards grants (1st, 2nd and 3rd place) to the proposals with the most votes.
3) But what about me? How do I win? Well. If you're a Top Recruiter (you recruit the most people to vote for a proposal on Speed Granting) you win a sweet prize. For first place, you get a brand new iPod Nano, and second place gets a $50 gift card to itunes. sweet, i know.
4)4) How do I get involved again? Here it is, step by step: Get a facebook account if you don't have one already, then go here and install the Speed Granting application.
If you want to submit a proposal to win, go to the < a href= "http://apps.facebook.com/speedgranting/new.php?tid=8"> proposal submission page to submit your idea/project/organization. Or, if you don't want to submit a proposal, you can just vote!
After that, all you have to do is recruit, get your friends involved, and watch as the thrill of the competition continues.
Check it out and become a part of making good things happen in the world on Razoo Speed Granting
Thanks to Triple Pundit for keeping me on top of the latest from a field near and dear to my heart: Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
Net Impact, a great organization of business school students and professionals committed to social responsibility, has just released its 2007 Business as UNusual Guide. In it, the the organization details the leading MBA programs and how they address social and environmental issues.
Like the recent shift towards annual CSR reports, the rating of b-schools with regard to social responsibility is a positive trend. It's nice to see that consumers (and in this case, prospective students) are driving institutional action by their demand for information and accountability. And with any luck (and a little more demand from folks like us), hopefully we'll see this trend continue to gain traction and become mainstream.
Razoo is a community united around making a positive difference in the world. Where passions are connected with actions, showing us that when connected, our small contributions add up to a big impact. Go ahead, have a look.
Good Happens is a daily dose of good stuff. A counter to all the bad stuff we hear every day. There's plenty of good in the world -- we find it and celebrate it here. Why? Because man can't live on dread alone.
