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According to a recent study driven by about
25 nonprofit organizations and organized by the Spanish Association of
Fundraising, of the surveyed population, about 1 million people, 84%
were concerned with the suffering in the world and tries to act. 67%
suffer to see injustices and tragedies. And 86% is relieved, less
guilty, proud and even more motivated and inspired to live when making a
donation or helping others.
Same as the brands transmit us through marketing an idea, a philosophy, a way of life that identify us with what we consume, in the market of solidarity, many of the large NGOs and UN agencies have become trademarks whose product is as ethereal as happiness of helping the most vulnerable and needy. Large multinational of solidarity and international cooperation that rely on other organizations to develop their projects on the ground. A model equivalent to the major trademarks that focus their business on strengthening the brand, and relocate production to countries of the south with labor, environmental and fiscal regulations more lax than in the north. Similar models, opposite motivations and objectives.
Paradoxical to think that the inhabitants of the north, rich and powerful, where the abundance is the norm rather than the exception, need to buy the "happiness of helping others" at the cost of alleviating the suffering of millions inhabitants of impoverished South.
In general, one might say that any aid is insufficient, and thanks to the projects of these NGOs and UN agencies, millions of people still have some hope. But what if it is the model that fails? What is the capacity of large nonprofits organizations to compete in the world of trademarks for fundraising against giants that spend millions of $ in advertising to sell "happiness of consuming"?
Why we need to buy happiness, we, the wealthy inhabitants of the north? Is not the capitalist system which generates a wealth distribution becoming more and more unequal? Is not this unequal distribution of wealth between north and south, between the north and its periphery, the source of unhappiness and suffering of billions of human beings on this planet?
In the fight against poverty, taking into account the scarcity of resources devoted to it and the rivalry to get them, we often forget that voluntaristic effort of thousands and thousands of committed people will never be able to overcome the real obstacle to eradicate it: greed.
Therefore, is not the fight against the accumulation of wealth the best way to eradicate poverty? The global economic crisis we are living since 2008 has been the catalyst for global movements of indignation against neoliberal theories that deepen inequality and social and environmental injustice. Will be these movements of outraged and occupiers the triggers of a paradigm shift on a global scale? A less individualistic and competitive model in which prevail the general welfare. A new generation of supportive and socially responsible citizens claiming their governments a greater effort in transparency, education, health, and social protection. I hope so.
We are the 99%.
Same as the brands transmit us through marketing an idea, a philosophy, a way of life that identify us with what we consume, in the market of solidarity, many of the large NGOs and UN agencies have become trademarks whose product is as ethereal as happiness of helping the most vulnerable and needy. Large multinational of solidarity and international cooperation that rely on other organizations to develop their projects on the ground. A model equivalent to the major trademarks that focus their business on strengthening the brand, and relocate production to countries of the south with labor, environmental and fiscal regulations more lax than in the north. Similar models, opposite motivations and objectives.
Paradoxical to think that the inhabitants of the north, rich and powerful, where the abundance is the norm rather than the exception, need to buy the "happiness of helping others" at the cost of alleviating the suffering of millions inhabitants of impoverished South.
In general, one might say that any aid is insufficient, and thanks to the projects of these NGOs and UN agencies, millions of people still have some hope. But what if it is the model that fails? What is the capacity of large nonprofits organizations to compete in the world of trademarks for fundraising against giants that spend millions of $ in advertising to sell "happiness of consuming"?
Why we need to buy happiness, we, the wealthy inhabitants of the north? Is not the capitalist system which generates a wealth distribution becoming more and more unequal? Is not this unequal distribution of wealth between north and south, between the north and its periphery, the source of unhappiness and suffering of billions of human beings on this planet?
In the fight against poverty, taking into account the scarcity of resources devoted to it and the rivalry to get them, we often forget that voluntaristic effort of thousands and thousands of committed people will never be able to overcome the real obstacle to eradicate it: greed.
Therefore, is not the fight against the accumulation of wealth the best way to eradicate poverty? The global economic crisis we are living since 2008 has been the catalyst for global movements of indignation against neoliberal theories that deepen inequality and social and environmental injustice. Will be these movements of outraged and occupiers the triggers of a paradigm shift on a global scale? A less individualistic and competitive model in which prevail the general welfare. A new generation of supportive and socially responsible citizens claiming their governments a greater effort in transparency, education, health, and social protection. I hope so.
We are the 99%.
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© Jaspreet Kindra/IRIN
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