World Ark Magazine - November/December 2007 - (Page 41)

a weakened child, and by the sheer numbers, the idea of We seem paralyzed by the scale and complexity of the problem. € Transformational education of the public has led to growing willingness to act. Various forms of education have transformed people into participants in efforts to end hunger and poverty. There are many ways to learn, to reach the widest possible audience. Creative new thinking is speeding up the end-poverty movement in all wealthy countries. Participants are challenged, inspired, and ready to act at a more meaningful level. € The U.S. is capable of a key role, but action is limited. (The current situation.) labors. This is how social change happens: Knowledge becomes action. I saw it happen for the people of the Philippines in 1985, and I know it can happen with world hunger. What seems like a problem of insurmountable proportions can be relegated to history, the casualty of a new global consciousness. The seeds that have been planted here and worldwide will become a revolution. Like all revolutions it begins with the individual. We can tackle the problem with the energy and generosity that are the hallmarks of the American people. But we must also tackle it with confidence, the confidence that comes from understanding what we are capable of. We must not, as Albert Schweitzer said, give up thinking. We know that we can change the world. Now we must begin. ADDING A ZERO My friend Gary Gunderson talks about the need to “add a zero” to our efforts to address the global HIV/AIDS pandemic. Where we are spending $1 billion, he says, we need to spend $10 billion. And just as important as adding a monetary zero is adding a participatory zero. We must add a zero to the numbers of dedicated people working to end hunger, the hundreds of thousands of strategists, educators, economists, religious leaders, artists, fund raisers, politicians, volunteers, scientists and others. So, if we’re currently graduating 500 experts in a certain field—say tropical soil science—we need to graduate 5,000. But in addition to the experts and specialists, volunteers and leaders in every field must join the effort. In fact, it is hard to imagine someone who cannot contribute their talent. So where does the impetus for this change come from? It comes from us. We must be part of the effort to educate others about the problem and its solutions. Being knowledgeable about the issues and committed to spreading that knowledge is something every one of us can do. As our efforts multiply, so will the fruits of our www.heifer.org PHOTO/VEER November/December 2007 | WORLD ARK 41 http://www.heifer.org

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of World Ark Magazine - November/December 2007

World Ark - November/December 2007 Contents Letters For the Record The Good Life Asked & Answered Pursuing Happiness (PRODUCT) RED: Consumer Power Fights AIDS in Africa Rwanda Reconciles End Hunger Now Protecting the Poor from Climate Change Mixed Media Heifer Bulletin Heifer Spirit Heifer Calendar Reflection

World Ark Magazine - November/December 2007

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