Welcome to 2010 - the dawn of a new year and a new decade full of hope, possibility, and the opportunity to confront big questions anew. From poverty to humor to healthcare, divorce, and doubt - the year for our group is promising (see sidebar for the topic schedule).
We start with poverty - a problem that feels so pervasive, so systemic that it is hard to know where to start. In fact, when our topic host, John Hoffmire, suggested this subject, one of his questions was: "Why do so many of us feel that poverty will never go away?"
We will ask that big question, and dig into some strategies to address poverty both internationally and domestically.
John will give a brief presentation and then lead the discussion. John is the Director of the Center on Business and Poverty at the University of Wisconsin. Please peruse the web site to familiarize yourself with the Center's work. In particular, read through the research questions they are addressing.
From Jay Griffith:
ReplyDeleteI hope it isn't inappropriate of me to share some listening material on the subject at hand. It has more to do with international poverty but I believe the principals extend to all.
Most are from TED, which I have enjoyed exploring for a number of years now.
http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/jacqueline_novogratz_on_an_escape_from_poverty.html
http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/jacqueline_novogratz_invests_in_ending_poverty.html
http://blog.ted.com/2008/03/neil_turok.php
And all of you are probably familiar with Greg Mortenson's work with education and poverty. Here's a recent lecture I found quickly.
Themes that I hear from these experienced people working to alleviate poverty are:
Listen to what people say they need
Let them be in charge and responsible for their improvement
Utilize capitalism and volunteerism
Resources do not need to be huge
Helping women helps families and villages
Question: What to do with the men?
I noticed I forgot to include the link to Greg Mortenson. Here's a really good one:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdqVoNtJZfU
One more great talk by Jacqueline Novogratz:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.ted.com/talks/jacqueline_novogratz_a_third_way_to_think_about_aid.html
John was amazing. Good questions from the group. It was nice to also hear from a few I hadn't heard before. Thanks to John for his frank appraisal of combating poverty. His experience, wit, intelligence, and heart were greatly appreciated. I think the format was a smashing success. I felt the quality of discussion and take away were the best I had encountered in this group thus far. (I've only been to the last 3 though so my experience is quite limited.) Thanks to whoever set this up. And thanks always to Mitch and Tiffany for hosting.
ReplyDeleteThanks again for everyone's participation.
Live well,
jay griffith