Jacqueline Novogratz: A third way to think about aid

[limeslimey]

I am concerned about genetically engineered

food being given to those who need aid. I

believe there was a crop in Africa or India which was sterile because it was gmo. Not only is it environmentally dangerous, but they got ripped off by such as Monsanto, the IMF, the World Bank, the WTO, etc...

[oilotnoM]

@limeslimey GM crops are often made deliberately sterile so as to effect vendor lock-in.

[BookofHezekiah]

This way of thinking has fundamental problems.

- First, a country that is as deep in debt as teh US should not do ANYTHING before we get our own house in order

- Second, the ethnocentricity of believing OUR way, and OUR beliefs should be exported to Africa is offensive

- Third, she quoted the US Constitution and then applied it to our "Global Citizenship." Maybe others would prefer we not screw with their culture and society 'cuz we have deemed the US constitution good for them!

[djslay34982]

True, we in the US should get its house in order, However the US has a big economy to go along with that debt, what we really should lack at is debt as a percentage of GDP. If you look a that The US is maybe in the middle of pack in terms of debt.

[tukkek]

@BookofHezekiah About your 1st point - there's no way the US can "shut down for repairs", your economy isn't sustentable, you buy most prime material from abroad. Also, what Novogratz says is that aid is not only charity, but also a great oportunity for revenue in the long run ("patient capital"). Maybe if the US was to use money for that, it would help put you house in order...

I'm not judging, but the point of the talk is to expose aid as also a profitable investment.

[sunmachine100]

Change is pretty much assured. Nothing lasts forever. I like the word flux, it's great in my song lyrics.

[leanonme1]

is anyone tired of people useing the word "change"? changechangechangechangechange­changechangechangechangechange­changechangechangechangechange­changechangechangechangechange­changechangechangechangechange­changechangechangechange geez use something diffrent...

[tudormocanu87]

you mean they should change change?

[leanonme1]

lol

[WhichDoctor1]

you mean you wont them to change? :-P

[lorax2013]

Jacqueline Novogratz is certainly a wonderful person who has dedicated most of her life to helping others. I do appreciate that TED has speakers like her, however, when TED claims to have "the world's leading thinkers" where are Noam Chomsky or Lew Rockwell or anyone from a non-establishment freedom oriented viewpoint? When is someone going to speak about debt based currency or the enslaving nature of the modern economic strucuture? You can't effect change by embracing the established order.

[paganiniGOGO]

That's why I tend to avoid watching the politically oriented videos.

I couldn't even get through the Evgeny Morozov video.

[i337gamer]

was that hans rosling @ 12:31 ? :P

[WilliamTarkovsky]

Humanity needs a change of heart.

Check out youtube eco-video The Book of New Creation...

[starwarsgeek8]

Obama "recognizes that there is no longer a single superpower"? How about closing imperialist military bases, starting to acknowledge free and fair elections, and stopping economic hitpeople and defense contractors from building business empires more powerful than some governments?

THAT would just be the beginning of leaving a single-superpower world.

[doloppost]

Those imperialist militairy bases also mean that the country is under direct protection of the US. Thats why Poland wanted that missile shield in its country: Russia won't attack US directly But I do agree with you on your points.

[MrCrazyBash]

Sitting here with my mouth open. I was impressed by this very human, authentic way of speaking of this woman and about the content of this speech. She really gave those chances of social coexistence between humans a clear line and I likes that, because it represent my so very heart oppinion. The world needs more of such people, more ideological openness, more intellegent problemsolingsystems. This speech was definitly amazingly relevant, made my day. :)

[canadianmaple09]

14:06 "...his twelve children and fifty grandchildren..."

There's the big problem right there! Way more people than that climate and the land can support.

[tyrannicoystercult]

reality of survival in places with no health infrastructure is harsh, population control is a first world true-ism that is only truthy in the first place, because it assumes the most expensive wasteful lifestyle is required fro every person.

[canadianmaple09]

I'm not advocating the position that the most expensive and wasteful lifestyle is required of every person. All I'm saying is, if you're living in a place where agriculture is very close to being futile without irrigation and other technologies that aren't available or not affordable, and you can hardly support yourself, don't have 12 kids. It is not helping your situation.

[mmedefarge]

In a lot of these really poor countries, children are part of the little capital they have, sometimes they are the only capital. They can be extra hands for those already with a livelihood. In eastern countries especially, children can also be rented out or sold. Without alternatives to these medieval & terrible ways, the poverty is perpetuated & the potential for terrorism has something to feed on.

[MysticZen]

I thoguht this was a beautiful and heart felt speech. She clearly enjoys what she is doing.

[tictocmm]

what a tear jerker

[jonaht777]

so what she is saying is that the third way of thinking about 'aid' is help, mainly financial investments, offered to third world countries by the wealthier countries with the sole purpose of improving the lives of the people in these third world countries?

you see, my problem is, that's what aid was/is supposed to be anyway!

[crreativeme]

Some good work being done here; however, what percent of the grants/aid goes directly to poor entrepreneurs, and what percent to the organization she represents, which is doing the distribution?

[mannjess]

AFAIK, she wasn't advertising for her company, but instead promoting an idea she hoped would be adopted by similar ventures.

Each company will have its own figure... and it's something to look into before donating money to any cause.

[CeBePuH]

Is it me, or is this whole speech could've been given in under 5min?

[tenisplayer]

its a really good idea.

that kind of aid its the better.

to bad that are lot of people who want to control poor people.

[wreckerpecker]

Another note on the topic of "Change"

What is there to "Change" perhaps other than some HABIT?

Today's issues are SPIRITUAL, not what you do, but what you don't.

You yourself can start by not DOING anything other than leaving these so called poor people alone. They don't need your insurance companies, your debt structure, your anything. I don't think that I heard even once, an iteration of what THEY claim to have asked for.

Yeah, spread your failed, collapsed habits to the world. Flop Flop

[mannjess]

"I don't think that I heard even once, an iteration of what THEY claim to have asked for."

I'm curious if you actually listened to the whole talk. This was a major point the speaker made; Investing in entrepreneurs who live in these conditions, and have tried and tested various solutions, with enough insulation to give them an opportunity to adapt.

Do you honestly think you're making a legitimate point, or are you just spewing this garbage on the first video you found?

[wreckerpecker]

Uh,

Listened to it twice.

That is her idea. And yes, she ground that opinion into every facet of her optimism.

Have you done any research on "Economic Hit Men"?

In this case Hit Women

On third thought yesterday, I found myself with swyft. Except that she is KNOWINGLY and of course "Capital as in human capital... She doesnt want to help anyone.,.. at all."

They'll go from "poor" to in debt for sure.

Not able to live on the land they once had.

On to the next video I find...

[tyrannicoystercult]

the only point of the indian's adapted drip irrigation was that it doesnt lead to debt and is cheap enough to try on their land.

[wreckerpecker]

Caution must be taken

Personally I'd prefer trade using something else besides money. Maybe food or something.

Dealing in dollars became and was once the best way to go because it WAS backed by gold. That's what drew people in to it. Unfortunately, after becoming the standard, it has been compromised and is now DEBT based.

If there is a way free of that then cheers for em

Thank you for responding decently

[wreckerpecker]

Before you go jumping up and down, google....

Confessions of an Economic Hit Man

The truth told, technicalities aside, when you use money, you now are subject to it's limitations. In other words, like me, I cannot work here in the 'US' simply because there ISN'T enough money to pay me to work. This has nothing to do with my willingness to help and create, but to do with the THEME and OWNERSHIP of the money itself.

To me, this lady is a tyrant. Another NWO fish flopping out of water.

[swyft187]

You couldn't be moreeee right. I hate economists, they think they know what they are talking about... when they are only spewing the bullshit they are told to spew... unknowingly...

[swyft187]

I looked her up and the moment I saw she had ties to the Rockefellers, I knew she is only out to enslave and siphon the life out of the poor...

She only cares about 1 thing, the aquisition of more and more capital. Capital as in human capital... She doesnt want to help anyone.,.. at all.

[Future5305]

well said. down with Rockefellers!

[kevintype]

Wrecker, your claims are disconnected not only from reality, but from each other.

Your hints at your mysterious legal predicament has no link to your bizarre claims about tyrants and fish. But you do provide a useful data point on the sanity of people who rant about "NWO" nonsense.

I'm far more impressed by those who do real work to help people improve their lives, as the speaker in the video has done. Show me who you've helped and I might listen to you a little. Until then, not at all.

[wreckerpecker]

Tell us all what "reality" is

Tyrant - quite simple.. her act as an optimist in an unconstitutional monetary system

Fish - the end of the age of Pisces - G.Bush mentioned 'human being and fish can coexist' - not imptnt

""NWO" nonsense. - I agree

real work - grab a shovel, hammer, labor etc..

who i have helped - I have built the "greenest" house in Boulder, maybe even the country. I am re-insulating and siding for FREE a house today. Visiting a "poor" "nation" this winter, listening to THEM.

[wreckerpecker]

kevin,

I hope you listen to YOUR inner voices above/below all others regardless.

[kevintype]

Wrecker, thanks for the good advice, and for the work you do to help people around you.

My inner voice says there is no real conflict between your work, and the work Novogratz describes in the video. Both are ways to spread opportunity and education to more people.

The world of capital markets and theorizing economists is far from perfect, but it is part of the reality we must navigate to help people out of desperate poverty. I'm glad Novogratz is charting new paths to build a better world.

[tillo2008]

@sikes1379's

"this bitch is straight retarded! Somone should of aided her pussy, crazy bitch. Ten bucks says she's a lezbo.

i guess her points are too advanced for your tiny intellect to understand. If it wasn't, you'd at least tell us why she's retarded instead of just insulting her.

Also, it's Should Have, not should of. Learn your own language asshole.

[Solicitude7]

Really wonderful speech! It's truly rejuvenating to hear about aid that works.

[dismutased]

God I love people like her!

[Dekova]

Every one seems to harp on the "$1 a Day" Phrase. When $1.00 USD = 47.9450 INR (rupee). While im not doubting the Huge poverty levels (after all, a country with a population the size of India) is bound to have one of the largest Poverty Rates... Look at the ratio. I Work with people from India and Pakistan (paid USD). Trust Me, They love the exchange rate. However, I've Never Bothered To Ask What Could Be Bought With 1 USD. That Would Make A Big Difference In The "$1 a Day" arena. GREAT TALK!

[TrunkZy]

I'm glad the discussion about microfinance has been taken on. It's a brilliant idea and it works, so I can only hope the idea spreads.

That was a really wonderful speech.

[Maxstate]

I'm afraid that providing some individuals with this type of aid, will allow the hegemonic rule of the warlords, outsourced corporations and other maffia-esque elements within the thirld world to proliferate. As one person, or some persons gain capital, start businesses, they will soon become the ruling class and be in complete watch-dog control of their employees and neighborhoods. That's to say nothing of the fund and its financiers itself.

[damuschka]

I don´t think so. This upperclass is allready theire nomadder if you go to south america or africa. What mircofinancing like this does is to level the ineuality. When there are less poor people, there are lesse people to do illegal shitty jobs. Being criminal is taking a risk, so you do become a criminal after you calculated those risks (even if they are based on wrong assumptions, like an afterlive and 72 virgins). Education and knowlege are theirfore also important as a anticriminal influence

[theaggravator]

Fail

[jeweetwelcaspar]

fail?

[theaggravator]

yea, fail.

[jeweetwelcaspar]

How?

[theaggravator]

that's how.

[jeweetwelcaspar]

i dont understand. how? you dint sey how?

[theaggravator]

I never dint sey - FAIL

[jeweetwelcaspar]

yes you did! now how das it fail?

[jaydesh9]

impressive .. thought provoking !!

[dapnd]

let me restate - these people in TED deserve more praise than our last three presidents... they're all people who've DONE something for good.

[dapnd]

1I love these talks... the on41ly problem is having to listen to hem lick our president's shoes all the time. he really has nothing to do with a lot of the things that are talked about. it annoys me that people have to elevate ANYONE to a position of praise before they've done ANYTHING. our president hasn't introduced anything that's brought anything worthwhile into our country - we're in the same place as we were with our last, equally disappointing president.

[baronmorris]

SOME OF PRESIDENT OBAMA'S ACCOMPLISHMENTS (thus far)

Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act

Directed military leaders to end Iraq War

Sent additional brigades to Afghanistan

As promised gave speech at major Islamic forum in his first 100 days

Granted Americans unrestricted rights to visit family & send money to Cuba

Restored funding for the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (Byrne/JAG) program

Released presidential records

[baronmorris]

Now requires new hires to sign form affirming their hiring wasn't due to political affiliation or contributions

Created a White House Office on Urban Policy

Supported increased funding for the NEA

Funded a major expansion of AmeriCorps

Worked to overturn Ledbetter vs. Goodyear

Banned lobbyist gifts to executive employees

Pledged to weatherize 1 million homes per year

Invested in all types of alternative energy

Enacted tax credit for consumers for plug-in hybrid cars

[baronmorris]

Reversed restrictions on stem cell research

Appointed an Assistant to the President for Science and Tech policy

Created a Foreclosure Prevention Fund for homeowners

Expanded loan programs for small businesses

Extended and indexed the 2007 Alternative Minimum Tax patch

Expanded eligibility for State Childrens Health Insurance Fund (SCHIP)

Expanded funding to train primary care providers & public health practitioners

[baronmorris]

Pushed for enactment of Matthew Shepard Act, expanding hate crime law to include sexual orientation & other factors

Confined interrogation techniques to those in the Army Field Manual

Ordered a review of auto emissions standards

Met with GOP leaders of both Houses of Congress to improve the stimulus package

Did an interview with Al Arabiya TV, improving our reputation in the Arab world

Called every leader in the Middle East

As promised appointed a Republican to the cabinet

[baronmorris]

Extended unemployment benefits & temporarily suspended taxes on these benefits

Won approval of the 2nd stimulus *before* taking office

VP Biden already made 1st foreign trip *before* taking office

Ordered the closing of Guantanamo

Ordered a pay freeze of his top staff.

Ordered a review of auto emissions standards; CAFE standards revised.

Named George Mitchell special envoy to the Middle East.

Ordered stricter controls on lobbyists

Ordered compliance w/ Freedom of Information Act

[baronmorris]

Cabinet confirmed

Made family planning advice more available in Africa

Met top business leaders, who endorsed his Stimulus

Geithner limits lobbying from TARP banks

Grants to encourage energy-efficient building codes

Ominbus Lands Management Act

Brokered compromise between France & China over tax haven transparency

Mandated inclusion of Iraq/Afghanistan Wars in deficit accounting

Lifted ban on stem cell research

Created Credit Card Bill of Rights

[baronmorris]

Weapons System Acquisition Reform Act

Appt of Drug czar, Gil Kerlikowske, who announced end of War On Drugs, shifting focus to treatment

Signed Mercury Reduction Pact with 140 other nations

--------------------

despite your inevitable rebuttals, I think I've made my point.

peace be with you.

[jeweetwelcaspar]

thank you for this verry good post.

[baronmorris]

my pleasure. ;-)

[P00P0STER0US]

I love stories like this.

[dragonstorm83]

what a great presentation. I was hanging on her every word. Great work. It warms my heart to know people are really doing something to enrich the lives of the poor other than by simply giving them a handout, but a hand up so they can stand on their own feet with dignity :)

[LudicrousTachyon]

Wow, someone who feels the same way I do. What is her job? I gotta get me some of that helping action.

[NikiDaDude]

An idea has been bothering me for a while. If the choice comes down to working in an office for years, or going out there and volunteering to help, witch should I choose.

[jeweetwelcaspar]

the last one. i will to!

[AssyrianRebel]

whos to say you must choose one or another?

I plan to take the approach to spending time to buidling a comfortable wealth cushion, then shifting focus to worthy social causes.

I view this as a natural progression because when you're younger you have the propensity / desire to establish yourself.

And when you're older you want to "give back" based on your wealth of knoweldge and experience.

But, there's no established rules or guidelines, everyone different.

[ArgueExplain]

It's very wise for you to establish yourself first if you are planning on spreading generosity on a large scale. If you are not established, then when something happens to you, the generosity flow is going to you instead of originating with you.

[NikiDaDude]

The point is I want to help people directly, rather than building a career and giving to charity, both types of help are essential of course.

You are so right in the last sentence, there are no rules, that is the beauty of it.

[bluebeard2]

Interesting. How come India's integration into the global economy has lifted more poor Indians out of poverty than all the cheques, aid and condescending 'imperial' style projects ever have?

[princeofexcess]

precisely what we need is free market and good leadership. Africa fails at leadership thats why its so poor.

[bluebeard2]

If I might paraphrase the language of Craig Newmark (owner of Craiglist), governance is more important than politics. So, while you might debate things like condoms, AIDS and so on, these are not actually critical issues. Ministers have to get their bread and butter governance issues right (say, functioning courts, no corruption especially amongst police, meaningful property rights, consistent taxation, etc). Once there is governance, politicians can debate policy.

[princeofexcess]

Well doesnt politics include governance?

[ArcaneKarma]

I'd like to think that politics are byproducts of governance... but you're probably right.

[bluebeard2]

Hmmm governance is more like management. Ensuring the organisations and bureaucracies are operating efficiently.

Politics would be more like leadership.

I think politicians get distracted by leading and they forget about their need to manage the state. Lets face it, the legislature is not all there is to government; there is a huge bureaucracy administering laws and spending budgets and so on. That machinery needs to work, otherwise, the legislature is a waste of time.

[tyrannicoystercult]

management is the correct word to revert to. Bismarck said "Politics is the art of the possible" which I always thought was a cool perspective

[lambent77777]

She looks like Marsha Brady. I like sunflowers. Excellent talk. She seems like a good egg. I hope she doesn't sit on a wall.

[popaddict]

OMG she does look like Marsha Brady!

LOL Marsha Brady inspiring and empowering the world.

[Naobi891]

that drip irrigation sounds pretty cool

[arabidopsissb]

Capitals targets finantial return/profit. Aid doesn't have such restriction.

[SpirouZorglub]

Money and Capitalism are very powerful inventions and therefore they can also have a great destructive force.

Lets see if this kind of technical and financial aid grows into something better...

[newexperiment]

Not enough information to know. You might need more sexual relations in your life so that it's not always the first thing on your mind.

[princeofexcess]

no you are horny and need to get laid. However if you act like a perv you probably wont get laid. Ah the paradox of horniness

[damuschka]

Give this comment thumps up? Where is the humor with these TEDnerds!

[princeofexcess]

stupid thumbs down and thumbs up .. can you permanently set it to view all comments or you need to go to options every time??

[HiAdrian]

I think you have to set it each time, stupid indeed.

[damuschka]

What can you do with options? If a comment isn´t shown i click on the reply button to see it.

I like the rating option, but it sucks if bad rated comments disapear, because i want to see how stupid people are!

lols

[princeofexcess]

no but sometimes you post a good comment like historical fact but because people dont agree with you they will thumb down you

[damuschka]

True

[TonsOfFunJ1790]

for the most part yes but i do try to thumbs up well written and interesting comments that make you think and i am sure im not the only one

[damuschka]

Yes, Sir!

Might i propose that you jerk off, BEFORE you start lissening to smart women? That way you can actually understand what they are saying.

[RaindropsFantasia]

Definitely one of my favourite TEDtalks over recent weeks! 5*