International
Bono’s Latest New York Times Column: “Ten for the Next Ten”
ONE co-founder Bono’s most recent column for the New Year Times, on 10 ideas for the next 10 years, was published over the weekend. I wanted to share it because it calls attention to a few ideas that are in our area of work, including the rotavirus vaccine and the upcoming World Cup in Africa.
Below is an excerpt. You can read the full column here.
Happy New Year!
-Kathy McKiernan
Taking the Fight to Rotavirus
The thing is, they exist, these vaccines. They’re not a mere hope, like an AIDS vaccine. And one of the brightest bits of news in 2009 is that rotavirus vaccines have been shown to work not only in nations with low child mortality, but in the poorest countries, where diarrhea (not a killer in our house) caused by rotavirus infections takes the lives of 500,000 children a year. The World Health Organization just this summer issued a strong recommendation that rotavirus vaccinations be part of every nation’s immunization program. From this vantage point, I like the look of the next decade.
The World Cup Kicks Off the African Decade
It’s getting easier to describe to Americans the impact of the World Cup — especially the impact it will have in Africa, where the tournament is to be held this summer. A few years ago, Ivory Coast was splitting apart and in the midst of civil war when its national team qualified for the 2006 jamboree. The response was so ecstatic that the war was largely put on hold as something more important than deathly combat took place, i.e. a soccer match. The team became a symbol of how the different tribes could — and did — get on after the tournament was over.
This time round, for the 2010 World Cup, naysayers thought South Africa could not build the stadiums in time. Those critics should be red-faced now. South Africa’s impressive preparations underline the changes on the continent, where over the last few years, 5 percent economic growth was the average. Signs point to a further decade of growth to come. Canny investors will put more capital there. This in turn has the potential to shore up fragile young democracies across the continent.
It would be fitting if Nelson Mandela, who has done more than anyone for Africa’s rising, would kick off the opening ceremonies. If he shows up, the world will weep with joy.
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The International ONE Blog is a daily log of the anti-poverty movement. The site is operated by ONE staff, with guest contributions from ONE volunteers, members and allies.
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05/01/2010 at 12:07 pm
as observações foram muito bem colocadas e as idéias tem um fundamento inabalável. Mas para que saiam de apenas idéias e tornem-se reais, cada pessoa tem que ter a boa vontade de colocar em prática, com ações reais.
08/01/2010 at 10:39 am
Lucia, yo espero lo mismo, I hope and expect the same.
About the Rotavirus: This virus is not only a serious problem in poor countries, but almost everywhere. You can gat it in almost every hospital in developing and developed country and it is very contagious and leads to quick dehydratation if not treated inmediately. In the rich countries you get medication and intravenous treatment, but in poor countries you easily die from it, especially as a kid, ill or older person.
I got it twice in Peru (beside cholera, typhus, dysentery etc.) and luckily had access to medication, but many people are not so lucky. There shoudl be free treatment against it in all countries, medications and vaccines could be kept cold in solar-powered refrigerators (that is how they do in Peru).
The number Ten gave me the idea that we should ask ourselves about ten things we can do ourselves, each one of us, in our surrounding and for our planet, 10 personal ideas for the new year and the coming years. Here are my ten ideas:
1. I will not drive by car ( I never had one and never want to have one). Using buses, trains and bike helps a wee bit to protect our environment and the climate.
2. Separation and recycling of the rubbish (garbage) of our household.
3. Supporting ONE.
4. Going on helping migrants and refugees (like I do since 23 years) in my hometown, especially people from war and conflict zones .
5. Educating my son in the same way.
6. Going on with intercultural and international and interreligious activities.
7. More support for Greenpeace and the german society for the fourth world http://www.gfbv.de/ ( where I am a member)
8. Buying more Fair Trade products
9. Trying to motivate more friends to joing ONE .
10. Going on supporting projects in developing countries.
What are your 10 intentions for this year and the coming years ?
12/01/2010 at 5:45 pm
Martina, parabéns pelo comentário. Vou elaborar mais 10 ações que devo ter neste ano de 2010.