6 minute read
Soundbites
Note to developing countries: Want to stay poor? Then treat women poorly.
That’s the message from researchers who say gender inequality leads to lower economic growth.
“Countries that deny fair opportunities to women are hampering their potential for development,” according to Ruth Sunderland in the Observer. “Societies where women are treated well are more likely to be peaceful and prosperous.”
Females, who make up the majority of the world’s farm workers, have been hit hardest by soaring food prices, she writes. Female inequality “results in less food being grown, less income and more hungry children.” As the economic crisis has deepened, young girls are often pulled from school and sent out to work, making things worse.
“Educating girls is an investment that continues to produce benefits down the generations,” Sunderland says. “Mothers who have attended school are more likely to recognize the value of learning for their children, as well as being more aware of health and nutrition, leading to lower maternal and infant mortality rates. Investing in a girl’s education can produce exponential rewards, but a poor country with uneducated women is likely to stay poor.
“Numerous studies point to a strong correlation between gender equality in developing countries and economic growth. Call it the female dividend: money that finds its way into a mother’s purse is more beneficial to families and communities than the cash funnelled into a male wallet.”
God’s hammer
Faith without works is dead. Likewise, faith without work is dead. Work is the arena where faith proves itself to be true. I know from experience that rewards lie on the other side of getting up, running my two miles, cracking open the Bible, communing with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. When the alarm goes off, these are things not seen, for which faith is the assurance. I’m not dead yet — God is here, calling me in the buzz of the alarm. My vocation is His hammer, level, and awl. — Janie B. Cheaney in World magazine
Shouting NGOs
Over time, I’m afraid I came to dislike part of the NGO culture, especially the Green groups. NGOs do a great job, don’t misunderstand me; but the trouble with some of them is that while they are treated by the media as concerned citizens, which of course they are, they are also organiza-
Soundbites
tions, raising money, marketing themselves and competing with other NGOs in a similar field. Because their entire raison d’etre is to get policy changed, they can hardly say yes, we’ve done it, without putting themselves out of business. And they’ve learned to play the modern media game perfectly. As it’s all about impact, they shout louder and louder to get heard. Balance is not in the vocabulary. It’s all “outrage,” “betrayal,” “crisis.” — Former British prime minister Tony Blair in A Journey: My Political Life
Crafting a life
Even in a short time, we’ve heard that parents who were incredibly stressed now have their children’s school fees. Now they can buy shoes. They have money in their pocket. Maybe they’re still living in a tent. But they know they can have some bit of security to craft a life. They know we’re not going away. — Willa Shalit, head of Fairwinds Trading, after brokering a deal with retail giant Macy’s to promote the products of Haitian artisans
Power of one
A man who is willing to undertake the discipline and the difficulty of mending his own ways is worth more to the conservation movement than a hundred who are insisting merely that the government and industries mend their ways. — Wendell Berry
Set-up
In baseball, everyone cheers the batter who knocks in the winning run in the bottom of the 9th. But just as important to the win was the player who laid down a perfect bunt to move the man to scoring position, or even the guy who dutifully backed up a throw and prevented the other team from scoring an extra run earlier in the game. — George F. Will in Men at Work: The Craft of Baseball
Why work?
Christians often have four levels of understanding about work. Level 1 sees work as something that gets us our daily bread but has little value beyond that. Level 2 also grudgingly supports work because cash thus acquired can go to support ministries and missions, with some becoming an inheritance to pass on to children. Level 3 sees work as an opportunity to witness to co-workers. Those are all good reasons for work, but shouldn’t we also push on to a level 4, in which work is more than a means to an end? Since we spend more of our waking time in our workplaces than anywhere else, shouldn’t those be places where individuals gain dignity, grasp freedom, and employ creativity? — Marvin Olasky in World magazine
Poverty fix
The only long-term solution to world poverty is business. That is because businesses produce goods, and businesses produce jobs. And businesses continue producing goods year after year, and continue providing jobs and paying wages year after year. — Wayne Grudem in Business for the Glory of God
Yardstick
Work is an extension of personality. It is achievement. It is one of the ways in which a person defines himself, measures his worth, and his humanity. — Peter Drucker
Change me
I do not ask God that He should change anything in events themselves, but that He should change me in regard to things, so that I might have the power to create my own universe, to govern my dreams, instead of enduring them. — Gerard de Nerval
Due to our success and growth, MEDA invites applications for a full-time Chief MEDA Engagement Officer.
The CMEO provides executive-level strategic leadership to engage MEDA’s association of private supporters with our mission; secure financial contributions that leverage other sources of funding; protect and enhance MEDA’s image; and expand awareness of MEDA in diverse market segments. A member of MEDA’s Executive Leadership Team, the CMEO will lead a staff of senior professionals to develop and implement the MEDA Engagement strategic plan and annual budget. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of implementing successful marketing strategies and an understanding of fundraising, particularly within the Anabaptist community. With a keen interest in MEDA’s approach to finding business solutions to poverty, and desire to engage others in this vision, the CMEO will participate in speaking engagements, media appearances, and visits to key members of the constituency. A full-time opportunity, with a strong preference to be based in the Waterloo, Ontario MEDA office, this position will involve regular domestic and international travel. This unique position is a chance to use your significant leadership and technical expertise to make a difference. Qualifications: • Minimum of 10 years successful executive leadership and senior staff management. • Demonstrated experience in developing and leading successful marketing campaigns for a variety of audiences. • In-depth knowledge and understanding of MEDA’s constituency (Mennonite, Anabaptist and Christian business and professionals). • Background and understanding of fundraising, especially in the development of major gift proposals. Familiarity with the Moves Management system is preferable. • Highly motivated, self-starter, and results-oriented. • Excellent and proven interpersonal skills in team leadership, relationship building, active listening, communicating, and negotiation. • Understanding and appreciation of international development and MEDA’s approach of finding business solutions to poverty. • Appreciation and support of MEDA’s faith, values and goals.
