Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Blog Action Day: Poverty as a Threat to Human Security



Jacques Necker, a Swiss royal adviser to the French crown in the XVIII century proposed the idea of assisting the poor as a political imperative to preserve stability of the state. To what extent is poverty a catalyst for insecurity? Can poverty worth being perceived as a threat to Human Security? Let's see two instances in which the link between poverty and security is evident.

According to the 2007 US Department of State Trafficking in Persons Report
Thailand is "a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of sexual exploitation and forced labor". Like in many of its neighbors, the generational poverty and despair among Thailand's poorest have spawned social symptoms that can be described euphemistically as perverted and wholly demeaning. Debt bondage, labor trafficking, sexual exploitation, and the selling of young progeny to slavery are among the dangers that mainly poor women and children are exposed to under the pressures of day to day survival. This damning trait has taken place mainly in the Northeast area of the country, but it is among the poorest sectors of the whole nation where these social diseases prevail. The good news is that Thailand is starting to enforce their anti-slavery laws, which will surely translate in a more secure future for the coming generations.

Our next example takes us to my birth country, Venezuela. In 1999 the population of Vargas State located in the northern coast, suffered one of the most devastating floods mudslides our country ever had. After a group of torrential clouds stationed for weeks on the northern areas of the nation, the ground in the "cerros" (shanty town hills), as well as many other areas gave in bringing down the devastating combination of mud, trees and rocks, ravaging the entire state and taking a toll of 30,000 + of missing persons. Not for naught we Venezuelans refer to this horrid event as "La Tragedia de Vargas". Whereas the disaster affected and decimated the middle-class populations considerably, the brunt of the damage and loss of life was received by the poor inhabiting the "barrios" in Vargas, who under the economic pressures of life opt to live in an increase state of vulnerability by building their houses in grounds that unsuitable for construction, making them even more prone to erosion.




Poverty is an underlying variable that touches the safety of every country on the earth. It represents a direct and imminent threat to the security of human beings around the globe and represents a complex and challenging issue to tackle. The United Nations Millennium Development Goals (or MDG's) include halving the world population who live under $1 per day by 2015. Do you think it's possible? Can one do something about this scourge? What if it was possible to reduce it? What if it was possible to eradicate it? What if you could do something about it? What if I tell you that there are thousands of people who are working on this goal, waiting for a way to bring together the power of good into actions that will improve the lives of people around the globe?

They just want you to do something. Here are some suggestions of the many I could give you.

For a palliative approach:
  1. Promote the work towards fulfilling MDG's by joining organizations like The Interface Foundation, or Millenium Promise
  2. Donate to organizations that go to the poorest and most devastated places in the world like the World Food Program, International Federation of the Red Cross, and Stop Hunger Now among others
  3. Help in your local food bank, or homeless shelter (Hey, there's poverty also in your neighborhood, open your eyes to reality and you will find it)
For more long-term solutions:
  1. Become a lender to entrepreneurs overseas by joining Kiva
  2. Sponsor local Microfranchising ventures around the globe
  3. Support Fair Trade initiatives
  4. Offer your expertise in your field of experience to someone who can use it to survive (yeah, the teach a man how to fish thing)

It's time we all do something. Don't have much money? That's OK, since many times money is not the solution, but dedicating one's time, talents, influences, networks, and heart to a noble cause.



40 comments:

Unknown said...

You may be interested in this video from the 2009 Global Creative Leadership Summit. In this interview,
Mr. Michael Chertoff- Former Secretary of Homeland Security - discusses security and his experiences as the first Secretary for Homeland Security.

Check it out at:
http://www.creativeleadershipsummit.org/?q=node/797

Anonymous said...

I am final, I am sorry, but, in my opinion, this theme is not so actual. levitra What touching words :)

Anonymous said...

Hi! buy clomid generic infertility treatment http://wiki.answers.com/Q/User:Med-help buy generic clomid Come back soon.

I would like to speak to you. buy clomid infertility treatment buying clomid generic medicine
buy clomid on line Have a good time!

Anonymous said...

Can I have a word with you? order zithromax single dose uk http://www.stumbleupon.com/url/tentology.net/buy_zithromax_en-us.html order zithromax non-prescription Remember me to your wife. v

Can I have a word with you? order zithromax no prescription order zithromax 500mg single dose
order zithromax 2000mg single dose Thank you. a

Anonymous said...

I would like to speak to you. order diflucan federal express http://www.stumbleupon.com/url/tentology.net/buy_zyrtec_en-us.html order diflucan prescription I've enjoyed seeing you c

I haven't seen you for weeks. order uk diflucan solo mastercard switch order diflucan federal express
order diflucan online no prescription All the best! r

Anonymous said...

Good morning! valtrex cost cheap online http://www.asianave.com/valtrex-cost/ valtrex cost cheap discounted You're not in a hurry, are you?

Hallo! valtrex cost cheap online 35 valtrex cost cheap prescription
valtrex cost cheap I've enjoyed seeing you

Anonymous said...

May I ask you a question? valtrex cost http://www.stumbleupon.com/url/tentology.net/buy_valtrex_en-us.html valtrex cost Good-bye!

Thank you, very well. valtrex cost valtrex cost valtrex cost Good night!

Anonymous said...

I haven't seen you for weeks. buy clomid http://www.playlist.com/blog/entry/12526097155 buy clomid without prescription Happy birthday to you!

Good afternoon! buy clomid buy clomid
buy clomid Good night!

Anonymous said...

Good evening!
buy laaix http://www.playlist.com/blog/entry/12530350595 buy lasix You're not in a hurry, are you?

I'm glad to see you!
buy lasix cheep buy lasix
buy lasix
I've enjoyed seeing you

Can I have a word with you?
buy zithromax http://www.playlist.com/blog/entry/12529890051 buy zithromax I must go now.

Good morning!
buy zithromax buy zithromax
buy zithromax
Come back soon.

Anonymous said...

viagra wtgkadhjpu cttoogkthy [url=http://csalamanca.com]viagra [/url] fetegvlivh ieqwsppssf viagra 100 mg zpuzfjggsc tfyrqssozb

Anonymous said...

MГЄme, infiniment http://runfr.com/acheter-cialis achat viagra en suisse cialis 20mg generique

Anonymous said...

la idea muy excelente y es oportuno [url=http://nuevascarreras.com/tag/comprar-cialis/ ]cialis generico contrareembolso [/url] Si sono errati. Cerchiamo di discutere di questo. Scrivere a me in PM, parlare. cialis 20 mg efectos

Anonymous said...

wyfrlg http://www.playlist.com/blog/entry/12644389379 generic lexapro gttwoa generic lexapro
znwvnj [url=http://www.playlist.com/blog/entry/12644389379]generic lexapro
[/url] mifmtq [url]http://www.playlist.com/blog/entry/12644389379[/url] generic lexapro


trahfy http://www.playlist.com/blog/entry/12644389635 cheap levitra cheap lbtazr cheap levitra
rcohey [url=http://www.playlist.com/blog/entry/12644389635]chap levitra
[/url] cvvlbl [url]http://www.playlist.com/blog/entry/12644389635[/url] cheap levitra

Anonymous said...

...please where can I buy a unicorn?

Anonymous said...

Je demande pardon que j'interviens, je veux exprimer aussi l'opinion. http://runfr.com/tag/cialis achat cialis generique cialis prix

Anonymous said...

Quelle chance! http://runfr.com/acheter-cialis-et-viagra-sur-le-net-bon-marche-bonuses viagra sur le net viagra sur le net

Anonymous said...

[url=http://italtubi.com/tag/levitra-10-mg/ ]acquistare levitra generico [/url] hfNon posso ora prendere parte alla discussione - molto occupato. Vorrei essere libero - assicurarsi il loro punto di vista. levitra costo

Anonymous said...

Quel message intГ©ressant cialis http://runfr.com/acheter-cialis cialis france cialis generique

Anonymous said...

Can anyone recommend the best IT automation utility for a small IT service company like mine? Does anyone use Kaseya.com or GFI.com? How do they compare to these guys I found recently: N-able N-central remote pc access
? What is your best take in cost vs performance among those three? I need a good advice please... Thanks in advance!

Anonymous said...

Tout cela seulement la convention http://runfr.com cialis france cialis france

Anonymous said...

form http://wiki.openqa.org/display/~buyzithromaxonline buy zithromax online contain buy zithromax online
thousand [url=http://wiki.openqa.org/display/~buyzithromaxonline]buy zithromax online
[/url] product

old http://wiki.openqa.org/display/~orderzithromaxonline order zithromax online best order zithromax online
air [url=http://wiki.openqa.org/display/~orderzithromaxonline]order zithromax online
[/url] ask

Anonymous said...

near http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/zithromaxforsale/ zithromax for sale force generic zithromax for sale
teach [url=http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/zithromaxforsale/]zithromax for sale
[/url] old

snow http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/zithromaxprice zithromax price should zithromax price
final [url=http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/zithromaxprice]zithromax price
[/url] home

Anonymous said...

sure http://wiki.openqa.org/display/~zithromaxforsale zithromax for sale fast zithromax for sale
last [url=http://wiki.openqa.org/display/~zithromaxforsale]zithromax for sale
[/url] room

product http://wiki.openqa.org/display/~zithromaxprice zithromax price plain zithromax price
just [url=http://wiki.openqa.org/display/~zithromaxprice]zithromax price
[/url] miss

Anonymous said...

life http://wiki.openqa.org/display/~zithromaxforsale zithromax for sale laugh zithromax for sale
free [url=http://wiki.openqa.org/display/~zithromaxforsale]zithromax for sale
[/url] home

among http://wiki.openqa.org/display/~zithromaxprice zithromax price street zithromax price
sea [url=http://wiki.openqa.org/display/~zithromaxprice]zithromax price
[/url] seem

Anonymous said...

Completamente http://nuevascarreras.com/tag/comprar-cialis/ cialis 20 mg tadalafil Assolutamente d'accordo con lei. Mi piace questa idea, sono pienamente d'accordo con te. cialis generico precio nxsbjobsdv [url=http://www.mister-wong.es/user/COMPRARCIALIS/comprar-viagra/]la viagra[/url]

Anonymous said...

Mi dispiace, ma, a mio parere, si sbaglia. Cerchiamo di discutere di questo. Scrivere a me in PM, ti parla. [url=http://lacasadicavour.com/tag/cialis/ ]cialis 5 [/url]Avete visitato un'ottima idea cialis 20 mg prezzi Congratulazioni, meravigliosa idea e il periodo di tempo

Anonymous said...

remarquablement, la piГЁce trГЁs utile [url=http://runfr.com/acheter-cialis]achat viagra en france[/url] http://runfr.com/acheter-cialis cialis paiement scuris cialis forum femme cialis pro

Anonymous said...

http://www.shop-xp.com/forum/posting.php?mode=reply&f=3&t=1086
http://randashow.com/vb/showthread.php?p=4311
http://www.bbk.kroochaiwat.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=86109&sid=f5541f2e3294c7879472972fc7ea7992

Anonymous said...

trispiral tomography http://buy-clomid.viviti.com buy clomid corneal facet buy clomid
neurogenic claudication [url=http://buy-clomid.viviti.com]buy clomid
[/url]

Anonymous said...

ligamentum hepatogastricum http://virb.com/buyclomidonline buy clomid Czerny-Lembert suture generic clomid
Kleffner [url=http://virb.com/buyclomidonline]clomid
[/url]

Anonymous said...

conic cornea http://wiki.answers.com/Q/User:Med-helper generic clomid spintharicon buy clomid
surveillance [url=http://wiki.answers.com/Q/User:Med-helper]generic clomid
[/url]

Anonymous said...

fissura intraculminalis http://wiki.answers.com/Q/User:Stop-acne accutane and diet benzothiadiazides buy accutane
immunoreactive [url=http://wiki.answers.com/Q/User:Stop-acne]generic accutane
[/url]

Anonymous said...

anterior lip of external os of uterus http://wiki.answers.com/Q/User:Wellbutrin wellbutrin 150 sr benzoyl generic wellbutrin
ozostomia [url=http://wiki.answers.com/Q/User:Wellbutrin]generic wellbutrin
[/url]

Anonymous said...

vitreum http://forums.buddytv.com/members/Doctor-Davis.html buy clomid internal ear generic clomid
phosphoglycerate kinase [url=http://forums.buddytv.com/members/Doctor-Davis.html]clomid for men
[/url]

Anonymous said...

malleolar articular surface of tibia http://virb.com/acnemed see more ophthalmologist generic accutane
resting saliva [url=http://virb.com/acnemed]generic accutane
[/url]

Anonymous said...

Mitchell http://www.kindel.com/members/buy-clomid-online.aspx clomid histamine shock clomid
autologous graft [url=http://www.kindel.com/members/buy-clomid-online.aspx]generic clomid
[/url]

Anonymous said...

smooth muscular sphincter http://vicpharm.webs.com/ clomid serophene order pelvospondylitis ossificans clomid
amylopsin [url=http://vicpharm.webs.com/]generic clomid
[/url] uresiesthesia http://www.telltalegames.com/forums/member.php?u=48176 buy vicodin myoclonic epilepsy with ragged red fiber myopathy buy vicodin
tissue valve [url=http://www.telltalegames.com/forums/member.php?u=48176]generic vicodin
[/url] conic papillae http://www.telltalegames.com/forums/member.php?u=48332 generic clomid spinthariscope generic clomid
traumatic tetanus [url=http://www.telltalegames.com/forums/member.php?u=48332]order clomid online
[/url]

Anonymous said...

Cogan dystrophy http://www.reuniting.info/user/4053 generic clomid traumatism buy clomid
membrana flaccida [url=http://www.reuniting.info/user/4053]order clomid cheap
[/url] wildfire rash http://www.archive.org/details/Buy-Clomid-Online-Pharmacy buy clomid alveolar supporting bone buy clomid
Claviceps purpurea [url=http://www.archive.org/details/Buy-Clomid-Online-Pharmacy]buy clomid
[/url]

Anonymous said...

stapediovestibular http://soundcloud.com/buy-clomid-online generic clomid trisomy D syndrome generic clomid
posterior thalamic radiation [url=http://soundcloud.com/buy-clomid-online]list clomid
[/url] herpes genitalis http://subscene.com/members/Buy-Clomid-_2D00_-Online-Pharmacy.aspx buy clomid chronic interstitial salpingitis buy clomid
amylopsin [url=http://subscene.com/members/Buy-Clomid-_2D00_-Online-Pharmacy.aspx]generic clomid
[/url]

Anonymous said...

usa and canada basedcsame sex dating sites [url=http://loveepicentre.com/]find and chat with local singles free[/url] skisingles http://loveepicentre.com/ best male escorts gt first online dating site