Post Script
I wrote yesterday about ecological footprints and the Live8 concerts. I asked if we of the privileged countries cared enough about Africa simply to keep them in mind for the duration of a party, or to keep them in mind for a lifetime of thinking globally. If you want to know more about Africa's plight; if you're open to viewing the "do-good" approach of Live8 from a different angle, take a look at this.
For Canadians who want to feel they can take immediate action, read about the GuluWalk, and be sure to sign their petition. "GuluWalk is the effort by two average Canadians to raise awareness and support for the 'night commuters'; the children of rural northern Uganda, who, to avoid abduction by the rebel army, walk every night towards the safety of larger cities, like Gulu, from as far as 12km away. And every morning they return to their homes to work or attend school." Even if you're not Canadian, take a moment to read the Toronto Star's article about GuluWalk. The walk being undertaken by Adrian Bradbury and Kieran Hayward is supported by Canadian Physicians for Aid and Relief (CPAR) and the African Medical and Research Foundation (AMREF).
If you're really feeling inspired by all this, and you want to do more than just signing a petition, you could plant a tree in Africa. It's amazing what a seedling can do. "In Africa, trees provide many of life's day-to-day necessities. Food production is greatly reduced when too many trees are cut down; this contributes to the recurring drought and famine in developing countries." Get involved. You don't even have to work up a sweat!
There's so much more that can be done than just one night of partying. I don't know if Bradbury and Hayward saw the Canadian Live8, but I do know they're doing a whole lot more in support of Africa than the majority of the concert goers, organizers, or performers. Maybe Bob Geldof should give the publicity seeking a rest for a while, quietly spring for a new pair of shoes for himself and hit the pavement with these two concerned world citizens. It might just do a whole lot more than his Live8 concerts did.
For Canadians who want to feel they can take immediate action, read about the GuluWalk, and be sure to sign their petition. "GuluWalk is the effort by two average Canadians to raise awareness and support for the 'night commuters'; the children of rural northern Uganda, who, to avoid abduction by the rebel army, walk every night towards the safety of larger cities, like Gulu, from as far as 12km away. And every morning they return to their homes to work or attend school." Even if you're not Canadian, take a moment to read the Toronto Star's article about GuluWalk. The walk being undertaken by Adrian Bradbury and Kieran Hayward is supported by Canadian Physicians for Aid and Relief (CPAR) and the African Medical and Research Foundation (AMREF).
If you're really feeling inspired by all this, and you want to do more than just signing a petition, you could plant a tree in Africa. It's amazing what a seedling can do. "In Africa, trees provide many of life's day-to-day necessities. Food production is greatly reduced when too many trees are cut down; this contributes to the recurring drought and famine in developing countries." Get involved. You don't even have to work up a sweat!
There's so much more that can be done than just one night of partying. I don't know if Bradbury and Hayward saw the Canadian Live8, but I do know they're doing a whole lot more in support of Africa than the majority of the concert goers, organizers, or performers. Maybe Bob Geldof should give the publicity seeking a rest for a while, quietly spring for a new pair of shoes for himself and hit the pavement with these two concerned world citizens. It might just do a whole lot more than his Live8 concerts did.
2 Comments:
Thanks for the link back. My expectation is that most of the concert goers forgot about Africa before they even got to the concerts.
If you're really feeling inspired by all this, and you want to do more than just signing a petition, you could plant a tree in Africa. It's amazing what a seedling can do. "In Africa, trees provide many of life's day-to-day necessities. Food production is greatly reduced when too many trees are cut down; this contributes to the recurring drought and famine in developing countries."
Hopefully these trees will be used to feed the people who live there, and provide necessities for them, not us.
Like I said in another comment to another site, I believe their suggestion of closing down globalization in Africa, at least how they presented it, sounds like it could be more successful, byt letting the countries in Africa, and elsewhere, solve their own issues (and yes, every country has internal issues) and absolving any African nations of their debt would be a much better move for those in Africa who are suffering.
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