Western aid to foreign countries usually arrives in the form of medical assistance, or food provision. Of which are welcome with open arms; however, are these just short term remedial solutions, or do these offers (as long as they are sustained indefinitely), actually help combat the cycle of poverty? World Vision for instance for years, has been at the fore of providing immediate needs for basic survival in poor communities. However, does such an approach to humanitarian aid address the issue of eradicating the cycle of poverty? Would there be merit to tackle the mindset that keeps developing societies in a state of impoverishment; for instance, foreign aid agencies working at not just providing a fish to these communities, but working at teaching them how to fish.
How about an approach that would tackle the immediate needs (which is necessary), but in addition to, an approach that would work at equipping natives of these developing countries with the tools and resources that could eventually provide for them a self-sustaining community. How about starting with the future generation (the children), by providing them with the means to gain a quality education. Or we can say, equipping communities with opportunities to conduct business ventures, and providing them with say, “soft-loans” that can serve as the working capital for such ventures. I believe that tackling such root problems (a lack of education opportunities, a lack of capital resources, foreign aid reliance etc.), would veer a developing society, and poor communities therein, from dependency to self-sustenance and long term sustainability.
taoism2007 said,
December 17, 2007 at 2:16 pm
Hi :
in my opinion :
“however, are these just short term remedial solutions, or do these offers (as long as they are sustained indefinitely)”
DON’T DEPEND ON WESTERN DONATIONS ALONE, JUST AS THE INCIDENTS ARE HAPPEN IN INSTANT WITHOUT NOTICE, SO DO THE WESTERN AID — OUR GOVERNMENT AND BUSINESS’ THAT SHOULD BECOME THE MAIN DONORS !!!
REMOVING THE “CORRUPTIONS PRACTICE BY BOTH GOVERNMENT AND BUSINESS ENTITIES” CAN BE THE FIRST STEP TOWARD “LEAN AND NON-COSTLY” GOVERNMENT.
” I believe that tackling such root problems (a lack of education opportunities, a lack of capital resources, foreign aid reliance etc.), would veer a developing society, and poor communities therein, from dependency to self-sustenance and long term sustainability.”
YES, YOU RIGHT ! BUT IMAGINE IF YOU ARE BORN “POOR” HERE IN INDONESIA, YOU DO NOT NEED ANY SUCH DISCUSSIONS, YOU NEED AID NOW !!! — AND IT IS THE RESPONSIBLE OF YOUR GOVERNMENTS AND BUSINESS ENTITIES !!!
NO MATTER WHAT POSITIONS ( SOCIALLY ) ARE WE RIGHT NOW, WE SHOULD ALWAYS NOT FORGOT WHEN WE WERE “DOWN” OR “POOR”
MOST OF THE BIG BOSS’ OF INDONESIA’S ARE POOR IMMIGRANTS OR BORN OF POOR FAMILIES AND WITH THE BLESSINGS OF “THIS NICE COUNTRY AND PEOPLE” THEY ARE ABLE TO BECOME SUPER RICH !!! BUT, ONLY SOME ARE CARE TO GIVE BACK TO SOCIETIES !!! WORSE ARE WHEN THEIR BUSINESS ARE IN THE HANDS OF THEIR SON/DAUGHTER ETC WHO ENJOY GOOD LIVING HENCE FORGOT THE HARDSHIPS OF OTHERS !!!
HOWEVER, THE ALMIGHTY IS JUST TO ALL OF PEOPLE. THE LAW OF “NATURE” IS STILL AND ALWAYS IN EFFECT !!! WHAT COMES AROUND GOES AROUND.
SO EVEN THOUGH YOU ARE FINALLY GETTING WELL OFF, IF YOU FORGET TO GIVE BACK TO SOCIETIES, WITH EVERY CHEAP REASONS, YOUR SON, GRANDSON, OR EVEN GREAT GRANDSON WILL SUFFER AT THE END !