"People seek dignity, not dependence." I love this concept of ending poverty. Why is it that the traditional view of aid has not effectively changed the impecunious situations that have arrested the vast majority of people across the globe. It is because we, as the privileged elite, have failed to empower those who are below us in financial class. I love the quote that people seek dignity, not dependence. This is what Acumen seeks to do, to empower and give people the means of improving themselves, not just giving funds that last a limited time.

I was watching a video of Jacqueline Novogratz and it was awesome to hear her story of the interconnectedness of the world. How a sweater given to a Good Will in VA can be transported all the way to Rwanda is pretty incredible and is a testament to how material goods can be circulated across the world. Her story and the aim of Acumen is very novel and has great potential. People don't simply want to receive aid that is temporal. People want to learn how to be productive and to contribute to the global economy. By investing in local entrepreneurs and encouraging business in third world countries, everyone appears to be benefitting, both the consumer and the producer.

It would be interesting to see if such concepts could be integrated to an organization such as Andrews University or the Adventist Church in general that has a an emphasis on missions and the general improvement of the world. I would love to integrate these principles on this campus and incorporate Andrews into the global pursuit of ending poverty.

http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/jacqueline_novogratz_invests_in_ending_poverty.html