PTW: August 2016

HEALTH | EDUCATION | WORLD | CHARITY

Alan Doss

Executive Director of the Kofi Annan Foundation Feature Interview August 2016

Antibiotic Resistance The Reality of a Horrific Nightmare

A Powerful Blank Space The International Scope of Gender and Development in Botswana

Edition 4 Volume 4

CONTENTS Feature Interview Alan Doss

AU T S GU diE n tio

Executive Director of the Kofi Annan Foundation

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V ba e i ll lo

Ke hief G C

The Terminology of Development

GENDER SCOPE

Evolution

or Extinction?

Antibiotic Resistance

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Editorial

Evolution

or Extinction?

Ilona SavcHenko Article Photographer

CHIRAG LODHIA

Chief Editor and Founder

In the beginning, there was a bang- 13.7 billion years ago. The tiniest point in a void with an entire universe of potential exploded out with a monstrous force. Produced from this explosion of heat and radioactive energy came countless pieces of debris, all floating in a vacuum. The energy from this bang dissipated across the void and the debris’ lost much of their heat, and began to join and cluster together.

With the transformation of debris into clusters came new and unique characteristics of each cluster. On one very volatile and toxic cluster of debris came molten eruptions from within, spilling out onto its surface. Eruption after eruption, the vast surface of this cluster became covered in molten rock, transforming this cluster once again into a large, more iconic mountainous rock.

“The most powerful natural force is the movement of water in rivers. Water has sculpted the very largest features of the landscape, a process that must have taken a very long time”. - Da Vinci

‘This rock, with its unique properties, is what we know as earth.’

Over time, this transforming rock produced entirely new atmospheres, along with a range of chemicals including solids, liquids and gases. Most notably: A chemical combining two elements- hydrogen and oxygen, covered the vast surface of this rock. This rock, with its unique properties, is what we know as earth.

“Shells that appear on mountain tops and fish bones in caves must be the remains of animals that long ago swam in these places when they were covered in sea. The claim they were swept there by the biblical flood is a completely inadequate explanation.

So the surface of the earth has changed over time, with land where once there was sea� - Da Vinci

Time continued, and with changes in atmosphere still occurring, so too did the chemical compositions of earth. Some of these chemical transformations resulted in a unique chemical compound that could grow, metabolize, respond to stimuli, adapt, and even reproduce itself- paving the way for a new area of study- biology.

“Human subtlety will never devise an invention more beautiful, more simple or more direct than does nature because in her inventions nothing is lacking, and nothing is superfluous…Nature never breaks her own laws”- Da Vinci Biological transformations were subject to the conditions of the physics and chemistry of the rock’s surface, whilst being impacted by other forms of biology emerging on the rock’s surface.

With the ability to multiply, each unique form of life, or ‘species’, would either thrive within their environment and continue to multiply, or die. Even within each species, each individual within that species was subjected to tests against others from their own species. Those from within their species considered the strongest or best adapted for their environment would multiply and reproduce, whilst those considered weakest or not adapted for their environment either died or were unable to reproduce or multiply. The process of wiping out entire species, we know as extinction, whilst the process of selecting the individuals considered the strongest in their given environment for reproduction we know as ‘selection’ and ‘survival of the fittest’. The two processes working together is known as ‘natural selection’.

As only those ‘fittest’ reproduce, the characteristics of those deemed the strongest would pass their characteristics onto their offspring. As long as the selection criteria remained the same, eventually, even that entire species would subtly transform over time and result in a species containing only the ‘fittest’ traits. The collection of the entire species in the future becomes characteristically different to the collection of the entire species of the past. This slow process of transformation is what we know as evolution.

“Therefore slow and relentless natural processes, not the divine instantaneous act described in Genesis, have shaped our planet”. Da Vinci This great transformation started around 3.8 billion years ago and still continues. As the atmosphere and environment of earth continued to transform, so too did nature change what is considered ‘the strongest’.

At one stage the earth had one single land-mass known as Pangaea. This land mass was the entirety of all physical land on earth as one continent. Around 270 million years ago, this land broke apart, and over time, Pangaea transformed into the separated continents of earth we know today.

This

separation

developed

another level to the selection criteria, for each region of land, or water, began to develop its own selection criteria. As land spread out, so too did different species. As individuals from each species moved into different land areas, or different environments, the different groups of the same species fell under new and differing selection criteria.

One species in particular began to move away from their lineage about seven to thirteen million years ago. This ape-like species was unique for being able to regularly walk upright. With this, the species had a distinct advantage on open land, and not just amongst the trees. Over time, this species evolved too: walking upright, then the ability to create tools, and then the ability to harness fire and then the ability to ‘think’ to a far greater level than ever before; leading to them to devise a pattern and logic of communication amongst one another- language. This new species spread across the lands and over time, across the globe.

With time, this species became the most dominant species on earth and outcompeted every other member of its genus.

This is the story of our speciesthe Homo sapiens. Emerging around 100,000 years ago, the transformation from a single point in space to mere rubble and debris in a void, to the existence of life and singlecelled organisms evolving into this dominant species has been

one of the most amazing stories to comprehend.

Let us for a moment skip 100,000 years from this point- welcome to 2016. In 2016, this species continues to dominate the planet earth in an unprecedented manner.

Not only has our species changed the landscape forever, but has also changed all the rules. Humans have evolved so aggressively and formidably, that the species is now able to dictate and control the selection criteria of evolution and extinction on its own accord.

With that in mind, one would think this dominant species which has become ruler of planet earth, with all the evolutionary advantages they possess, and being the ‘thinking man; they must have created a great world?

“Even the richest soil, if left uncultivated will produce the rankest weeds.”- Da Vinci Homo sapien has transformed this world into one now causing the loss of species between 1,000 to 10,000 times the rate of natural extinction and somewhere between 4658,000 square miles of forest is lost every year, along with much more of earth’s natural environment.

We transformed our ways of life to depend on the oppression of all other species to fulfil our needs and greed, rather than device methods of symbiosis. Our species not only causes horror, death and destruction for the lives of other species, but our own species too.

Human history has become marked by national rivalries, wars, hate, fear, racism, violence, segregation and oppression. Our species has widespread imbalance in livelihood and life expectancy and has the ability to take genuine enjoyment and pleasure in the suffering of others. Our species takes far more than it needs from others and the world without give something back.

Not only is our species able to do all this, but has thrived from it.

This has led to today. A world in which our uncontrolled and unsustainable population forces extreme pressure on our environment, leading to environmental damage resulting in the loss of species, leading to the loss of ecosystems, resulting in the loss of agriculture, leading to hunger and famine, heightening increased inequality and violence, forcing an increase in refuge, desperation, displacement and division; then increase in hostility as individuals refuge to another location, increasing environmental pressures on this location, and the cycle continues. Humanity has created a never-ending viscous cycle that entraps all on earth.

“The depth and strength of a human character are defined by its moral reserves. People reveal themselves completely only when they are thrown out of the customary conditions of their life, for only then do they have to fall back on their reserves.”- Da Vinci

The deeper and deeper this vicious cycle sinks, the higher and higher the stress and pressures on earth go, the more and more extreme the situation becomes, the more humanity is pushed into uncomfortable positions and then falls back to their old natural selves. The past 10 years alone has been marked by growing acts of terror, violence, brutality, hate, separation and division.

so often forces popularity over morality and asks the question “what’s in it for me?” when asked to help, yet demands unquestioned help and assistance for itself.

After all this time, we are transforming back into a world in which the species is, in mentality, returning back to the ‘jungle’ from where we came; the jungle where life is all about fight or flight for survival.

“I thought I was learning All the world issues are to live; I was only learning in a vicious circle, each perpetuating problems for to die”- Da Vinci The cycle that has created a world in which increased pressure is resulting in the inability for individuals to live a balanced life, a community life and a peaceful life.

A world in which individuals believe their escape from this is merely to increase their work output and monetary income, under the guise that this alone will improve their circumstances; only to be shackled by fear, imprisoned by poor health, crippled by stress and being served a life sentence by ignorance.

A world that has become so impatient, passive and superficial, yet yearns for a more fundamental and fulfilling life. A world that

mind is not limited to religious extremism.

Some would say natural instincts of human males are at fault. The male population of humanity has certainly left a clear trail of oppression and abuse over its female counterparts and dominated the direction of earth in a political sense; yet science is showing that females living in considerably genderequal countries, as far as social contexts go, are no better or worse at refraining from violence, oppression and abuse than their males counterparts, nor overall better or worse at decisionmaking.

the other. Even amongst advocates, there are those advancing their cause, but unfortunately ignoring or perpetuating the issues for another causes- thus keeping Some would say the ‘whites’, the vicious circle alive. or ‘Caucasians’ are the cause of much of the world’s “Where there is problems. Human history shouting, there is no true since the middle-ages has been marked by imperialism knowledge.”- Da Vinci coming from Europe across the globe. From the German, It is easy to start pointing the French, Portuguese, Spanish finger, protest and rally in and of course, the British, these situations; as humans imperialism has gone handso often do. Recently, the in-hand with oppression, finger has been pointed to brutality, death and slavery. religion. Yet, even those who Yet, this is a short and narrow are indifferent or opposed to view of history. religion have actioned just as much negative impact on “There are three classes earth. One need only look at of people: those who see.

North- and South-American death-toll statistics to see Those who see when they realise this. Extremism of the are shown. Those who do

not see.”- Da Vinci

The Empires of the modern world have certainly actioned much damage and destruction across their reign apparent to those of this century. Most recently under British rule, India previously lived under Mogul rulers who also actioned violence and oppression.

Before them, it is thought that the Aryan race once considered ‘native Indians’, pushed out and destroyed the great civilization of Mohenjo Daro and the Indus Valley, who lived in India before the Aryans. India today is still marked by violence, corruption, famine. Who to blame? Why draw lines in history when time is merely a continuing river?

Although the British ‘Empire’ was dominant, the same could not be said for the people of Britain themselves; and rulers seldom represent the people themselves.

One need only look and capital punishment, torture, burning at the stake and far more heinous acts that these empires bestowed upon their own people through the centuries. Hanging at the gallows, being killed over a loaf of bread, poverty and more all existed through Great Britain, and still do.

Those who feel the British deserve to be punished for their actions, should then consider the history of Britain itself. The British Empire was not born from riches. One could say the little island off the coast of Europe was the monster of Frankenstein empires before them. Scandinavian, French and German fleets ransacked and butchered the isles of Britain before the time of Empire, and before these, there was the great Roman Empire- an empire well known for taking slaves from Britain amongst other types of slaves and slowly wiping out their once-existing religion, culture and dignity. Sound all like a familiar story? Well, the Romans were not the first either.

“In rivers, the water that you touch is the last of what has passed and the first of that which comes; so with present time.”- Da Vinci

War, slavery, inequality, oppression, violence, animal abuse, environmental destruction- these are not new problems, these are not caused by new age thinking. These problems have been ongoing since before America’s conquests of war, before the British Empire and before the Roman Empire.

These problems started before fire was harmless and before the brain was transformed. These problems started a very long time ago- at least 3.8 million years ago. In turn, these problems started long before apes came down from the trees, before the start of biology, before chemistry and before physics; for all across time and space has been the natural process and result of one big bang till now.

Time is merely a continuum, each action defined from what has come.

The world as we know it is merely an outcome of our evolution. Yet, despite all our evolutionary advantages, and becoming the self-titled ‘thinking man’, it seems that the species is still severely lacking and has carried the same ‘lack’ for many centuries. As such, there is no good to be hand in pointing the finger, for doing so is only superficial to the underlying problem and is misleading at best.

When the situation becomes dire, humanity has often turned to revolution. Some, like Egypt, have had multiple revolutions within a single lifetime.

Yet, despite the American, French, Egyptian, Haitian, Russian, Communist, Iranian, Industrial, and other revolutions throughout history, we are still battling the same problems if not more. Transformation of this ‘political’ or ‘social’ form has often not equated to permanent or even positive transformation.

Whilst politics and terminology over the past century has changed, the same issues are still well entrenched in society. The same tree stands, with all its characteristics and branches, simply with a different name. We are still in the same state of being a ‘third world’ that were 50 years ago-as we were before that. The world has been in such a state, not on the basis of money, but of thought and mentality.

So, given all that has come to pass, how do we change the tides? Whilst biologically, we may still be the same species, over several thousands of years, transformation has still occurred- sociology.

We have gone from hunter-gatherer systems to creating machines that create and harvest food for the entire species across the globe. We have gone from dying from smallpox to eradicating an entire disease world-wide. We have gone from living in fear of unknown civilizations beyond our borders to now having mapped the entire globe and also developed machines to leave earth completely and return.

Over the past 100 years, transformation has led this species to make leaps and bounds in health and medicine which has pushed the capabilities, lifetime and opportunities of the individual.

We have been so successful at dominating our surroundings and controlling our environments to suit us, that we have been able to almost triple our population within a lifetime, and double our individual life expectancy within a few generations. This in turn has given the individuals of the species more time to live, learn, understand and take action more effectively and efficiently than ever before. It has given the opportunity for humanity to do more than simply ‘survive’.

We have come from those before us who did not question their actions, and acted out of selfinterest, to now a species that questions these mistakes. We have come from a species acting as individuals, to inventing technology and now able to make decisions together and work together in real time, across the entire surface of planet earth; this in itself, is perhaps the greatest transformation since the species first separated.

Although Pangea long ago was split, and our species divided across the land masses of the world, we have brought the species together again. Unlike any other species in the world, humans have still transformed the most, with the single greatest advantage- continuing education.

“Our life is made by the death of others.”Da Vinci Whilst a mother bird teaches her children to eat, fly and make a nest, only to have the wheel re-invented and re-taught from scratch for the next generation; humans have the ability to think and to educate in continuity. What those before us have done, creates the foundations for the next generation. There is no need to keep re-inventing the wheel, for we are able to continue progression from one generation to the other and continue where the lasts generation finished.

Where we are is on the shoulders of those before us, and we can look back over 3.8 billion years and learn from all the progress, all the changes and all the transformations that have happened, all the mistakes, and determine what is to come, and what can come. Education, the process of knowing, understanding and applying, has been at the core what makes today’s man different from yesterday, and the core of what transformed yesterday to today.

“The noblest pleasure is the joy of understanding.”- Da Vinci Not only will education be the key to unlocking the problems of the past, but it will defend us against the problems of the future. We are able to predict and dictate the terms of our future to be positive and sustainable. For instance, learning about nature along with the consequences of the industrial revolution has shown that environmentally-friendly ways of living are better for humanity and health, and education is the medium used to invent the technology we need to do so.

“All our knowledge has its origins in our perceptions.”Da Vinci In education, we are able to learn about what makes us different, what makes us the same, and how to unite once again as equals within our species the world over. Education protects us from giving into racism, violence and fear. We are able to learn and understand the depth of the past, understand the diversity of the present, and broaden our perceptions of this world and our species, so we may walk into the future beneficially and positively for all.

Yet, education is not itself the goals for humanity. In reality, the goals for individuals in life are directed to a few key words: ‘happiness ’, ‘successes, and ‘peace’. These three aims are the ultimate trinity of all human endeavours and objectives. What these three words means for individuals has differed radically over the years. Whilst we may dress these 3 words up by calling them “good jobs”, “married with children”, “lots of friends”, “love”, “high income”; ultimately these are means to those three aims. Education will take us half way to these goals by teaching us how to progress the earth towards these goals, with the other half lying within health.

“Learning acquired in youth arrests the evil of old age; and if you understand that old age has wisdom for its food, you will so conduct yourself in youth that your old age will not lack for nourishment.”- Da Vinci Whilst education will be the drive to progress earth and the species, it is health that unites and brings happiness, success and peace on earth; for all life on earth, from the plants that provide oxygen, to the bees that pollenate, to the microorganisms that live inside and all around us; health is the true currency of life on earth. It is undisputed, and incontrovertible that the height of health in all three senses: physical, mental and social, would make for the happiest, most peaceful and successful human being past, present or future. It is without any doubt that a perfectly healthy body, in a perfectly healthy environment, is not only in the best position to look after themselves, but also those around them. It is at the close of life that health is all anyone truly wants; for in good health, there is no death or suffering, but rather life and hope.

“There shall be wings! If the accomplishment be not for me, ‘tis for some other.”- Da Vinci With health, we can climb the highest peak, and with education, we may fly to greater and brighter lands across time and space. Health makes us feel happiness, success and peace in a manner which connects us all, and education is the understanding of how we can all have happiness success and peace in different ways with our individual differences. Though, this is not an endeavour one individual or one group or one nation can do alone.

Our world is completely connected together, and we are only as strong as the most suffering link. The entire chain can only fly as one, or none will.

Ultimately, this is the final frontier that humanity has not evolved for. Sharing the world, taking responsibility for the world, looking after our environment and prioritising the prosperity of ourselves and others equally have never been humanity’s defining attributes.

“People react to fear, not love - they don’t teach that in Sunday School, but it’s true.”- Da Vinci Despite the reality that education and health is within the grasp for all across the globe, it feels so far away given the direction and reality of our current world. Thought of what has passed and the future that is in front of us can bring fear into any mind. If anything has emerged in 2016 above all, it is fear. Trump. Brexit. Turkey. Rio. Syria.

Terrorism. Racism. Crime. Refuge. These have all taken centre-stage in 2016. Unfortunately, it so often requires fear to motivate us to respond- fear that induces stress and the fight or flight response. So often, when there is no pressure applied, people will easily dismiss the need to help another, let alone regularly help others. People won’t support nor feel motivated to help a cause without feeling a direct ‘life-saving-like’ impact for themselves.

Much like the unfortunately severely-injured person who advocates safe driving only after experiencing the consequences of their own dangerous driving first-hand, humanity has been formidable in its ability to ignore global problems when they don’t feel directly affected; only to take action when they are under threat, rather than be proactive to avoid the threat to begin with.

Proactive action across our entire species been a lacking characteristic; it is often fear that has been the driving force of mass reaction. Sadly, it has fallen onto the shoulder of greats that we so often look to- Gandhi, Malala, Sappho, Mandela, Einstein, B Anthony, Da Vinci, Parks, Luther King to name a few, along with many unsung heroes from the community.

Good acts of kindness and love have certainly existed through the history of humanity, but unfortunately not to the mass. Whilst some would say that today altruism is dead, in fact, it never existed as a core part of our species. Our species depended on selfishness, typical alpha-male domination, cunningness and ruthlessness in our strive to dominate; but we now know and understand better.

For a long time society has held an underlying and unspoken belief that it is the onus of our leaders to solve the world’s problems and that the individual doesn’t make a difference; and yet, there has been a transformation across the globe highlighted by the recent ‘Brexit’- in which the political and economic fate of Great Britain and their ties to Europe were decided by the people- society. Whether humanity likes it or not, democracy, and the deafening cry for ‘rights’ has led us on an irreversible path of a world dictated by a global society itself. This reality has indeed always existed, but it is only now that it is apparent and critical on a global level.

With the global society as the true leaders, responsibility and onus truly falls to us, the everyday person, irrespective of the quality of education, health, ignorance, greed or thirst for power any individual has.

Consider the quality of the decisions made without good health or good education or altruistic thoughts.

For this reason, recent changes in society have in fact brought us to the long-predicted ‘tipping point’- the point at which we either climb and fly to new heights, or fall into a dark abyss. Our species is in one of the most defining positions in human history, with the power to tip the species in the direction of positive transformation and move towards the evolution of society, civilization and humanity; but we are also in a state that may tip all of that in a negative direction that may be the extinction of society and civilization as we know it, if not of the species itself.

Unfortunately society and individuals have transformed the world to make it acceptable that individuals can easily create excuses and say that they don’t have time or ability to help fight against the problems of the world, despite expecting and demanding others do so; made it acceptable to talk about goodwill without action; made it acceptable to criticize those who try to improve the world whilst praising and supporting those who don’t; made it acceptable to peruse means that contradict the ends; made charity about money and business rather than community and service; focused on shortterm gain whilst complaining about long-term pain; and transformed the world to make it acceptable to demand perfection without helping progression.

“He who does not punish evil commands it to be done.”- Da Vinci If society is to accept these, society must also accept the following: to play a passive role in the problems of this world is no less damaging than to lend a helping hand in damaging the world. To complain about the problem and find no solution, and action the solution you have, is to be passive.

“I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not enough; we must apply.

Being willing is not enough; we must do.”

- Da Vinci Society must also accept that to play an active role is only to react to the problem, rather than prevent it from happening; allowing the vicious cycle to continue. Finally, society must also accept that to turn destructive forces around, and create positive transformation, it will require proactive action. Action that comes before the problem exists, comes without needing to be asked, comes without needing anything for ourselves, but rather, for others- it requires a mentality of altruism.

When this is understood, it becomes apparent that altruism is the new frontier of human endeavour that needs to be taken seriously. It is through altruism that the necessary characteristics of taking responsibility, sharing, putting ego behind, working in unity, and taking proactive action are found- the necessary characteristics required to bring strength to the whole human chain.

“Although nature commences with reason and ends in experience it is necessary for us to do the opposite, that is to commence with experience and from this to proceed to investigate the reason.”- Da Vinci The donation of money has often been the focus of ‘generosity’ and somewhat considered the gateway for progress and the means to an end. Even volunteer organizations prioritize money above all. Whilst it has a key place, money is indifferent and lacking of emotion, lacking of unity or community, and often only applies to those who are in abundance of it.

Money can be given by the individual without any understanding of the issue they hope to improve.

Money can be passive, without any second thought given.

Rather than through money, it is through volunteering that altruism has the potential to manifest, if it is taken on selflessly and without ego: a service given out of generosity for no other reason, than to see the species climb and fly. Volunteering is personal- it requires community engagement directly, it requires action that can become proactive. Volunteering is experience that requires thinking and learning, builds experience and builds knowledge and understanding for the cause. Volunteering promotes cooperation and teamwork, rather than acting alone and in competition.

With the ability to further all these aspects, volunteering also functions as progress in a win-win situation for all involved where money alone would be more win-lose. Whilst only few have money, many have time (despite popular belief), and volunteering can be applied to all in a manner that facilitates their lifestyle.

Volunteering supports happiness, success and peace of all involved with health and education.

Good health and good education are the vehicles that will create the path towards altruism and altruism is the motivation towards good health and good education. The three together form the ultimate trinity for happiness, success and peace. In good health and strong education and grounded altruism, humanity’s mentality will positively change. Humanity will then be in a strong position to once again transform, to once again evolve and one day, have altruism engrained into our species. Altruism, though a disadvantage to the selection criteria of old, is now a vital selection criteria for all of humanity.

“Poor is the pupil who does not surpass his master”- Da Vinci We are standing on the shoulders of giants and we are at a point where we are able to learn, understand and connect with the entire world past, present and future, and understand the value of altruistic thinking, health and education for all walks of life; but to merely nod our heads at this knowledge and do nothing is to dismiss the shoulders of whom we stand on.

Whilst we today are not capable of being truly altruistic, for even the strive to altruism is done in self-intent if not to prove a point, we have the knowledge, understanding and circumstances to implement this mentality into us in a way that can eventually become a natural part of all humanity to come; and like many cultural thoughts and religious views, one day too perhaps, the notion of altruism can be taken for granted and left unquestioned as a natural part of a new evolved species.

“Just as eating contrary to the inclination is injurious to the health, so study without desire sports the memory, and it retains nothing that it takes in.”- Da Vinci If we are to change the culture of health, education and altruism, we must also change our thoughts on the topic. Education is often seen as a requirement only in youth. Society has transformed to believe that once adulthood is reached, education can be dropped from life. Yet, it is undeniable that even 25 years of rigorous full-time education is not enough to find all the world’s solutions and learn enough to truly understand our own environment or ourselves.

As our world continuously transforms, and as

our own lives transform, so too does the extent of knowledge required to tackle it. We haven’t solved the world’s problems, and so we will still need further our knowledge and understanding to do so. Education needs to be lifelong for true progress, and so, education should be made engaging and in a manner that invites people to ‘want’ education lifelong.

Similarly with health, we have grown accustomed to only ‘fixing’ our health rather than preventing illness from occurring. We know through science that although not felt in youth, poor lifestyle choices in youth lead to irreversible consequences of poor health later in life. Health needs to transform to be about ongoing maintenance throughout life, and not only about treating illness.

Altruism has transformed to a notion that is about helping others, but not ourselves; yet this is mistaken. Alternatively, to be truly altruistic is to think about our own needs as well as others; and not confuse our ‘need’ with our ‘greed’ as we often do. A person giving $10 towards a child’s medical bills today pales in comparison to that same individual investing no time or money into their own health and needing several hundreds of dollars and service from their family, aid or taxpayer’s money to cover the costs of their medical bills and dependence. Altruism needs to teach humanity how to act for our planet’s selfserving need, rather than our self-serving greed.

Furthermore, altruistic actions such as volunteer work need to be considered as important as paid work with the same responsibilities as paid work.

“Iron rusts from disuse; water loses its purity from stagnation ... even so does inaction sap the vigour of the mind.”- Da Vinci

To stop proactively learning, maintaining good health and helping others is to welcome illness, ignorance and a lending hand to the inevitable problems of the world. Thus, health, education and acts of good deeds require lifelong commitment, and ongoing support.

The more invested long-term, the more returns gained long-term. A oncea-year attempt at improving health, education or acts of good deeds is to say that only a few hours of effort in a lifetime is what is needed to change the world. The same type of rationale was used through ‘Live 8’ and such campaigns. Yet we are still battling the same issues. Similarly, a two week, two month, or even two year volunteer trip in an entire lifetime will not be enough to truly change society permanently in a positive direction. Acting in health,

education or altruism casually will only produce casual outcomes. One healthy meal doesn’t make you healthy; and one unhealthy meal doesn’t make you unhealthy- and the same applies to education and altruism.

These types of casual activities can bring awareness and make a start, but it is undeniable that the everyday choices, the everyday routine, the everyday activities and the everyday thoughts that we have are what defines the world. Thus, health, education and altruism need to be actioned as part of everyday life.

“You can have no dominion greater or less than that over yourself.”Da Vinci

We have spent years of PTW magazine explaining the world issues, and now, explained where we fit into all this. Here, you have read the philosophy by which we operate and the issues we aim to tackle. Here, you have learnt where you fit into all this and know that our doors are always open to whoever would like to join. All that is required, is you.

You hold the power to use what you have learnt here and all through your life, to use your own body, your brain, skills, abilities and will for a better world for yourself and all that surrounds you. You as an individual in your own community hold the power to join with us and others and to make the change. Together, with everyone, we can change earth into a positively transforming world. All you have to do now, is make the first step and apply. It is time for us, together as one, to leave the past, push the tipping point in the right direction, evolve, and create a positively transforming world. â–

ALAN DOSS

Executive Director of the Kofi Annan Foundation CHIRAG LODHIA

Chief Editor and Founder

Alan Doss was born in 1945 and was brought up in Cardiff, Wales.

He graduated from the London School of Economics before joining the United Nations and taking up posts in China, Kenya, Niger, Democratic Republic of Congo and Benin. He has served as the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Sierra Leone, followed by serving as Principal Deputy Special Representative of the SecretaryGeneral for Côte d’Ivoire. He has also served as the United Nations Resident Coordinator, Humanitarian Coordinator and United Nations Development Programme Resident Representative.

He has also served as the Director of the United Nations Development Group and is now the Executive Director of the Kofi Annan Foundation. Need more of a reason to seek his wisdom and insight?

We didn’t.

How has the approach to global development changed over the past few decades?

Over the past 40 years, we have changed how we approach development, as well as how we fund development. There is a recognition internationally that funding is just a small part of the broader effort to deal with global poverty and related issues such as malnutrition, infant mortality and other issues.

The first aspect that needs to be flagged is the importance of

involving people in any effort we make in terms of support and improvement of their own lives and livelihood. Development cannot be imposed from the outside. It can be assisted, and it can be facilitated, but at the end of the day, the government and people of a country will have to make the decisions, and make the heavy lifting.

I think it is therefore very important that we engage people directly in whatever we do. You can’t sit in New York, London, Paris, Washington- wherever, and impose development. It has to come from the people themselves and really engage the people. I feel we didn’t do that right at the outset. We had a very technocratic ‘topdown’ approach. We’ve learnt over time that this approach doesn’t work.

The second point is to recognize that governments have a key role. They can facilitate and help the process of change.

I am involved with governments currently in the process of trying to improve their economic and social status. They must show the way by engaging with their own people and put in place the mechanisms and institutions needed to facilitate and support development, and above all, ensure there is distribution of benefits.

We have seen countries that grow strong economies from selling of minerals globally, but that growth doesn’t equate automatically to improving living standards or human development. In fact, it can be quite the opposite and a fundamentally destabilizing element in society. So societies that have a very high GDP (gross domestic products) aren’t necessarily showing the quickest and best improvements in some of the main indicators of the millennium development goals (MDGs), now turned sustainable development goals (SDGs). Governments must absolutely take the lead in ensuring the benefits of wealth are distributed fairly and effectively across populations.

The third point is to measure what you are doing. You can argue about the different indicators, but ultimately we can recognize the importance of a ‘road map’ and that there are many roads to development, and you can’t impose a single template across the world in all societies; but you can mobilize international opinion around some key goals so that people everywhere are aware of the key challenges and hopefully help find solutions and conclusions to those challenges.

Those are the 3 very important changes that have occurred over the past 40 years. Some things never change but at least there has been progress. Perhaps a fourth important point worth adding, is that development aid is a support for development, but it is not the solution. True development has to come from many sources, and not just official development aid. These official institutions play an important part in getting topics started, putting issues on international agendas, giving research and support more broadly, but the private sector and business sector have a key role to play in lifting living standards. We must realise there is a need for combination of all these elements for true success.

Why have you and Kofi Annan separated slightly from the United Nations and started the Kofi Annan Foundation?

We don’t substitute for the United Nations. We are very small and we have no particular intentions to do what the UN does. The UN, despite all its failings, is the only global body that has international or global legitimacy and therefore must play a key role in setting global standards and norms. Our job at the foundation is far less ambitious. Having stepped down from our positions, we are a lot freer to say and do things that simply cannot be done in an international body where you have member states and various constraints.

We picked on a few key issues that we think are very important. Our global interest is not just on developing countries (although the issues have a particular resonance in those countries); but certainly we do this within the overall framework that has been set by the sustainable development goals. We are just a small part of a very large picture.

What are the key changes the Kofi Annan Foundation want to see happen within this lifetime?

Globally we are working to generate the political will we need to make the changes that will make this world a fairer and a more peaceful one. It needs leadership at national and international levels; that’s one of our key aims- mobilizing political will to make the changes that can make a difference. More specifically we are looking at several key areas: One being mediation and prevention of conflict. Conflict is of course, a great destroyer of development.

It’s not by coincidence that most of the countries that are at the bottom of development so-to-speak, are countries that have suffered from violent conflict, and we want to find ways to stabilize these countries and to make them countries that can enjoy and promote progress. This is

critical to progress and this involves in a small way, our involvement and engagement with a variety of countries and leaders; and not just leaders in a political sense, but also within civil society to help or resolve conflict.

We do this sometimes by mediation and sometimes by shining a light on the issue through public advocacy.

The second area that we are particularly focused on is electoral integrity. Elections are used by almost every country, but the quality and the durability of those elections varies very widely. This is an issue of not just developing countries.

Even advanced democracies have questions about democratic deficit.

Elections tend to be a lightning rod if-you-will for these questions.

Elections that may be ‘legally’ right, do not necessarily confer legitimacy and this can trigger conflict, rather than resolve it. Government leaders have a responsibility to govern in the name of the people and leaders who believe that winning an election means they can do what they like, irrespective of the voter’s views, usually create more problems in their own country; so electoral integrity is a critical area.

The third area is helping countries who have emerged from violent conflict, to deal with the legacy of that conflict in order to prepare for a better future. Dealing with truth: what happened? Why did it happen?

- All the crucial questions. Secondly: how to promote reconciliation and not just reconciliation on paper? We aim for reconciliation deeply rooted among communities and groups so that the strings of that conflict do

not return and cause problems in the future. Sometimes even though conflict is over, they aren’t resolved.

Solutions require people to be engaged in the conflict.

The third area within this is to help manage the consequences of violent conflict. How to deal with accountability of people engaged in committed atrocities or massive human rights violations- how do we deal with accountability? We can form structures such as the International Criminal Court, and of course nationally with jurisdictions; but is that enough? Does it work?

How do you help create the rule of law in countries where that hasn’t lasted and how do we rebuild institutions to deal with and prevent these issues in the future?

This is, in our view, important that the youth speak up, have views and exchange views. It happens through social media and other means, rather than frankly, listen to a lot of older people in suits and ties. Mr Annan particularly has a lot of respect for young people coming from his principles and his days at the UN. He’s continued his dialogue with young people through various mechanisms and is very much at-ease with them and enjoys connecting with them.

We wanted to use his presence and his commitment in this area to bring together this new group, and get their views, ideas and experiences out into the public domain.

elements such as infrastructure. The aim of this initiative is to help in a small way by working with, not just the public sector and large organizations like the World Food Programme but also the private sector and recognizing that Africa won’t be able to do it alone on just donor or government funding; we have to bring in and engage the private sector as a partner to help turn African communities who are living in poverty, and many of whom are willing to be small entrepreneurs. As a result, turning Africa from subsistence into surplus. I think there’s a huge demand around the world, and I think Africa has to be part of filling that demand in a sustainable way.

The final area we’ve given a lot of attention to is agriculture in Africa. Africa is basically the only continent in the world that doesn’t feed itself. There is huge amounts of food importation every year in the estimate of US$35billion every year. Its population is increasing and becoming increasingly urbanized. So, increasing food production is a huge challenge which includes improving the quality of that food. Nutritional quality of the food is a health issue as well as economic issue; poor people who don’t eat well are less productive- to use that cold term. We also want to ensure that agriculture is a performing engine of African growth. It has huge potential.

Africa has huge demographic bulges, with countries like Nigeria and nations in the north where literally tens-ofmillions of jobs have to be created otherwise we will see increased migration pressures and competition for scarce resources which can lead to violence; how are we going to create those jobs? I think a good part can come through food agriculture. Not just down on the farm, but all the intermediary components that can be created such as transportation lines, packaging and processing and shipping. There’s a whole range of issues that are possible roles of employment with the support of public and private sectors that can help Africa merge from subsistence to surplus farming. We help in a limited way to move progress in that direction.

However it is targeted- land or water, or young people- it needs to get its policy framework right, and associated

At what levels do you need to see action for positive transformation?

You need the community, you need the individual and you need inspired and enlightened leadership. I think we’re seeing that leadership from the private sector with a number of businesses and business leaders taking up the challenge of sustainable development in their own operations to more globally in the business community. We need all the elements.

It starts with the individual and then this engages governments and corporations, private sectors, philanthropy and so-on.

Leadership elements are important- that’s why governments are in place- to lead and make the political will, but it can’t be done alone- it needs to involve all elements of society.

How much responsibility do you feel nations considered ‘underdeveloped’ have in implementing sustainable development and positive transformation?

First of all, I would not use those definitions of ‘underdeveloped’ and ‘developed’. I think it’s a scale rather than an absolute. There are countries in the developed world that resemble parts of the underdeveloped world, and vice-versa. I think it’s important to see these things as a scale. This is at the heart of the SDGs approach of the Global Goals. I was very much part of what led to the SDGs and I have to say, 18 years on now, the SDGs highlight that we all have something to improve on. At one end of the scale, where the problems are greatest, governments have to be leading and have to be conscious of their responsibility.

I think that countries that are likely to suffer most, such as poor island countries and a lot of countries in Africa, tend to be least responsible for the problems. So I don’t think we can

ask these countries to tackle the same burden of responsibility as the big global emitters of carbon dioxide; there has to be a basis of fairness here. Many of the countries on one end of the scale are poor and impoverished countries that are consuming a tiny percentage of the world’s energy resources. In fact, they should be consuming some of the largest amounts of energy if they are to move up the development scale- but obviously, we hope that they do this in an increasingly sustainable way. Countries that have plenty of sunshine are obvious targets for greatly expanding solar installations which are becoming economically feasible. Yet, we can’t ask them to do the same type of carbon reduction measures that the major industrial companies must do. First of all, it won’t make a vast difference given they are such tiny emitters, secondly they have far greater problems- they don’t have the means yet. Hopefully part of the package coming out of development is giving them the means to reduce their carbon footprints.

You can’t expect poor farmers to be more frugal when they’re not the real problem.

What about the term “Third World”?

I understand where your former name comes from, and rightly or wrongly, the problem unfortunately is that it has become an embedded cultural euphemism for underdeveloped countries. I think we’re looking for a more comprehensive idea of development.

I think that the term ‘Third World’ is no longer relevant based on what it is associated to-money; and that’s at the heart of the SDGs, that no matter where you sit on the GDP scale, there are many ways we need to improve in regards to human wellness. I think that terminology has to change if we are to meet that understanding.

What about the Transforming World”?

“Positively

The world is transforming, and I think that the name is relevant. The question now is simply the speed, direction and scale of that transformation. Are we at one of those inflection points of global history where we’ve somehow fallen over and lapsed back? Progress unfortunately is not linear nor is progress inevitable.

When we look at the scales of development recently though, there has been significant progress. When you look at the rates of infant mortality and some of these very basic indicators of health, we have seen improvement. Reduction in AIDS and malaria statistics are quite stunning. If you take out the 10 countries or so that have been engaged in constant conflict such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, those statistics of improvements become even more dramatic.

It is a transforming world and I think we just have to ensure that the transformation continues, but also ensure that it is a positive transformation of course. This also relates to the SDGs because it doesn’t relate to a particular set of countries or nations. The fact that we are seeing growing inequality, particularly in the so-called ‘developed’ world or in the ‘advanced economics’ or the ‘high income economies’ is staggering and poses a huge change that has been pointed out for some time now, and this has huge political impact in places such as the United States and the elections there, and what happens in America affects us all. America isn’t the economic titan that it perhaps was a decade or two ago, but nevertheless we live in a world where military power and global interest still play a huge path in development- not just economics and trade.

KOFI ANNAN & ALAN DOSS

You have left an outstanding legacy in the development of ‘global development’ itself. What are some of the key elements that you will look back at proudly?

There are many things I could point towards. I suppose in a way, anything you do, you are always part of something bigger. It’s very rare that you could ever say “I did this on my own and it’s had a central effect”. I’d have to break it down to different categories such as what I did in policy work, what I did in operational work, and what I did as an individual.

I would say at the policy level, I had a global significance. It started with something called a ‘Better World For All’ which is what led to the MDGs. The MDGs took the ‘Better World For All’ concept and I was responsible for negotiating them at that point the United Nations, the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development, World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. I chaired the meetings and coordinated the group to ensure we moved forward and actually managed to have the 4 heads of all those organizations sign off on the goals.

That in turn led to important changes.

I think it was so important to have a central, simple and clearly understood roadmap for international development.

It certainly has been improved within the SDGs and now the SDGs takes it to a whole new level; but at the time we didn’t have anything that was commonly

agreed amongst the major institutions engaged in development, both in operations and policy and norm settings.

It would then take on bigger challenges with the MDGs which acquired a far greater significance because it became a commitment through the United Nations of global leadership which gave the goals global legitimacy. I think where we started ended up setting the stage and has lead us to where we are with the SDGs. The MDGs in turn, in my view, have had a profound effect on organizing national and international opinion.

Would it have happened anyway? Some would argue it would have. Would it have happened so quickly? Considering the amount of focus, the resources so direct and with the benchmarks? I doubt it; and that is what has had a particular effect on me. There are other things I’ve been involved in, from humanitarian work in Africa and Asia which happened almost 40 years ago…I don’t want to get lost in the midst of time on this one.

What areas of world issues do you feel quite personal towards as an individual?

The last decade of my life in the United Nations was in peace-keeping. We were in some very tough situations. Not all of it was successful. Some was, some

Some was, some wasn’t. A high point was probably the elections that took place in Liberia. I was personally responsible at that point for the United Nation’s presence which at that point hadn’t been established in Liberia.

The election of Ellen Johnson who was the world’s first elected female head of state and first elected African female president. I think it was important for the world in general to see a country that had gone through unimaginable horrors and was able to elect a qualified woman who went onto winning a Nobel peace prize. I was part of making sure the elections were safe, free and fair. We had difficulties and push-back, but it all came out well. I was deeply engaged in that. I’d add that to my list, because it set an example for the region and for the world and had sentimental effect as well.

But, I wouldn’t claim to have done any of these things on my own. I was always just part of a bigger effort. I think some of the work we did to find new improvements in the way we protect people in peace-keeping missions, particularly in the Congo was important. Sadly, you can only do so much and you can’t solve everything, but I have to try.

Media, Hollywood and the general feeling nowadays is that the world is going ‘backwards’. Do you feel that there is a realistic tipping point where this can occur?

Yes- the tipping-point is that point where things become irreversible and it becomes too late. Climate change has to be a key aspect there. It’s an existential threat to everyone but poorer people are much more vulnerable. They live in the worst conditions and marginal areas. They can’t insulate or run away. Yet we’ve seen examples such as recently in Europe with refugees, because of globalization, if something happens in one place, it affects us all. You can’t isolate yourself from what’s happening in the Middle East or in Africa. Even countries like Australia which are physically isolated must still follow the saying by John Donne “no man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent”- I think because of technology and general globalization, we are part of each other and we can’t escape that. ■

Antibiotic Resistance

Alyssa Bolter

PA - S Chicago, IL, USA

THE REALITY OF A HORRIFIC NIGHTMARE The year is 1800. Hundreds of people are falling ill. It all begins with an unusually high fever. Most experience stomach pain and vomiting. Red rashes appear on their skin, and confusion and disorientation addles their brains.

The disease spreads, ultimately killing many who have this terrible infection. There are no medications to turn to. The world is afraid. What awful disease could this be? It was typhoid fever, a condition caused by a bacterial infection that is almost non-existent today in the developed world due to vaccines and antibiotics.

Unfortunately, resistance to the four

antibiotics that could previously cure this disease has grown so much that they haven’t been used in 20 years.

The real horror, however, lies in the fact that this same rapid development of resistance to antibiotics is not limited to those that treat typhoid fever, but rather occurs across the entire spectrum of infectious diseases. Without awareness leading to a change in the way antibiotics are taken, it may not be long before eradicated diseases return, or people begin dying of “simple” infections such as strep throat.

Since the discovery of penicillin by Scottish scientist Alexander Fleming in 1928, antibiotics have become an integral part of treating bacterial infections around the world. Falling under the category of antimicrobial drugs, antibiotics can be used to treat bacterial infections ranging from pneumonia to acne. Antibiotics will not work on viruses such as the flu or common cold, nor will they cure infections caused by a fungus. While incredibly beneficial and lifesaving, a global crisis has been emerging due to the rapidly emerging resistance of bacteria to antibiotics. According to the World Health organization (WHO), drug-resistant bacteria are estimated to cause 25,000 deaths and cost more than US$1.5 billion every year in healthcare expenses and productivity losses in the European Union alone.

Antibiotics can be separated into two major groups: bactericidal and bacteriostatic, though both work by affecting parts of the bacterial cell that do not function the same way as human ‘eukaryotic’ cells. Bactericidal antibiotics such as penicillin irreversibly kill the bacteria. Bacteriostatic antibiotics such as tetracycline inhibit the growth or reproduction of the bacteria enough that the immune system is able to fight off the infection and kill the bacteria itself.

100% of these bacterial cells may not be killed with antibiotics though.

Some of the bacteria can resist the effects of a given drug and continue to thrive. These stronger ‘resistant’ cells continue to multiply and pass on their resistance. This means the next time that a drug is administered, the drug is less effective. The process of resistance continues, with bacteria becoming stronger and stronger after every consecutive use.

Antibiotic resistance is a natural process, that has only been compounded by excessive administration of antibiotics to livestock, unnecessary prescribing of antibiotics for fungal or viral infections, and a failure to use antibiotics appropriately as prescribed by their doctor or explained by the pharmacist.

Agriculturally, antibiotics are used to prevent infection in animals being cultivated for meat. As these animals are being pumped with antibiotics to prevent infection, the bacterial cells that naturally reside in their gut become

more resistant with each exposure to the drug. These resistant bacteria are then passed to humans when animal meat is consumed. Additionally, water that has been contaminated by animal faeces is often used to irrigate crops. Some fecal particles containing resistant bacteria can remain on the crops and be passed to humans upon consumption.

In global medicine, antibiotics can be overprescribed by physicians and medical providers. Antibiotics are often prescribed immediately without first verifying if an infection is bacterial or the causal pathogen. Providers in private practices and hospitals do have the ability to perform a culture test, where a sample is collected from the body and grown within a laboratory setting to identify the underlying bacteria and which antibiotics it is sensitive or resistant to. However, results from these tests could take up to 5-10 days to return, during which time a patient’s condition could deteriorate significantly. Providers, through research and experience in practice, can make an educated decision on what to initially prescribe to patients until microscopic tests do return with more specific information.

This ‘empiric therapy’ is generally based on patient symptoms, clinical status, and previous medication that have been tried. However, proper guidelines for these situations are not always followed, thus the possibility of ineffective antibiotics being prescribed and bacteria developing unnecessary resistance.

In regards to the general population themselves, many are either not properly educated on the importance of finishing a course of antibiotics, or simply choose to ignore given instruction. A global survey conducted by the WHO found that 32% of respondents thought they should stop taking antibiotics when they felt better, rather than finishing the antibiotic course as directed.

In the countries of Sudan, Egypt and China, 62%, 55% and 53% of survey participants respectively would cease their antibiotics upon symptom relief. Even when properly educated and given detailed counselling, patients still choose to end their antibiotic course early. This can be due to forgetting to finish their antibiotics once they feel better, experiencing adverse side effects from the drug, or just simply thinking they know best.

However, there are simple methods that can

ensure that antibiotics are taken appropriately and that resistance is minimized. If side effects such as nausea and diarrhoea occur, you should see your provider and discuss other alterative options.

If you tend to be forgetful, set an alarm or write a note to remind yourself. Do not keep extra pills to take later in case you get sick again. It is important to realize that the need to complete a course of antibiotics as directed has nothing to do with whether or not you feel better. Even when you feel that you are no longer experiencing the symptoms of the initial illness, your body may still be fighting off that bacteria. Failure to complete a course of antibiotics leaves the potential for some of the harmful bacteria to survive and develop resistance to the antibiotics being used.

So if we are having this problem, why don’t scientists just find new antibiotics that are more effective? Research is difficult, and so is obtaining funding.

After the discovery of penicillin in 1928, antibiotic research really took off. The 1940s to 1970s are considered the “golden era� of antibiotic discovery, where about 65 antibiotics in nine classes were found and distributed for use. Most antibiotics discovered after that have been within those same 9 classes, which makes them only effective for a short time since some bacteria are already resistant to that class. A new class of antibiotics has not been discovered since daptomycin in the 1980s, which has a narrow spectrum of activity. The real challenge is discovering antibiotics in a completely new class, which takes a significant amount of time and money. According to a 2015 FDA review, only 30 percent of drugs that have graduated from

animal testing to human testing will make it past the first phase of human testing; of those, only about 8 percent are eventually approved. This process can then take up to 13 years once a drug enters Phase 1 trials in humans. As the time drags on, expenses increase.

Antibiotic research requires testing against multiple pathogens over many years, and this requires large amounts of money for materials and salaries. A 2003 study by Di Masi and colleagues claims that the pre-tax cost outlay (expected costs divided by clinical approval success rates) per new drug to be $403,000,000. A high failure rate, in addition to the fact that antibiotics are taken for short periods of time rather than long term medications taken for chronic conditions, makes large companies hesitant to put their time and money into new antibiotic research. But research MUST happen.

According to a study printed in Nature magazine, a new antibiotic called teixobactin is showing great promise. The drug, discovered in soil located in the New England region of the United States, showed no resistance to the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus or Mycobacterium tuberculosis (a common cause of resistant bacterial infections in humans) when used to treat rats.

The drug has not yet been tested in humans, but hopefully trials can proceed soon. New antibiotics such as this are important to aid in the reduction of antibiotic resistance and allow for continued treatment of infections.

The future of antibiotics and our ability to fight them is uncertain. The only certainty is that things need to change-and quicklybefore indestructible Super Bugs drive the bacterial death toll to billions, and we return back to an era where we fear for our lives at the sound of a cough or sneeze. â–

The Terminology of Development Editorial

Kellie Vella

Chief Global News Editor

It’s hard not to get lost in the world of charity and ‘doing good.’ Sometimes, organizations that look reputable and trustworthy, are a façade for a moneymaking scheme that doesn’t cater for those in need. In order to navigate this tricky world, we must first educate ourselves on the types of organizations that are available to us before we support an initiative with our time, effort or money. This editorial will outline some of the common types of organizations that scatter our world.

‘Donations never reach those who need them the most’ ‘Charities are businesses in disguise’ ‘I just don’t know if my money or effort will ever make a difference’

Charities Starting with the most ambiguous term, a charity is an organisation that is created for the purpose of philanthropic rather than financial pursuits. Ideally, a charity is designed to benefit society or a specific group of people. The purpose of a charity may be to provide emergency relief, education, counselling or infrastructure.

Religious organizations often have an associated charitable arm in their structure however secular charities are also commonplace.

Charities are usually supported by monetary gifts from donors. This can be done on the street via cash collection, online or by applying for charitable grants. To determine whether an institution is purely charitable, it is important to determine whether its major purpose is to aid others or to make

a profit. Legally, charities are generally required to disclose their finances to auditors like any other business. Charities often receive tax-exemptions from the government, however not all charities are exempt from tax as not all charities are non-profits.

Therefore, not all charities are designed purely for philanthropic pursuits. For example, companies that provide international volunteering trips to wellintentioned travelers often charge large all-inclusive amounts which generate a profit. While this form of volunteer tourism can bring about positive change for communities who would benefit from a well, a school or a house, they are also profitable businesses that rely on wealthy Westerners who wish to do good while seeing the world.

Non-Profit Organizations As the name suggests, a non-profit or not-for-profit organization is a type of organisation that does not collect a profit from its pursuits. A non-profit organization is often dedicated to furthering a particular social cause or advocating for a particular point of view. These entities can include community-serving organizations, aid and development programs, medical research programs, educational bodies and health services.

Similar to charities, non-profits are often supported by charitable grants and the time and effort of volunteers. However, employees who work in the non-profit sector are not all volunteers. Most established non-profit organizations have teams of development practitioners, counsellors, fundraisers and administrative staff who all get paid according to industry awards.

Most NPOs are recognized by government entities and are exempt from paying tax. In order to be classified as a notfor-profit, organizations must adhere to certain criteria. Ordinarily, charitable NPOs must have no sedentary capital stock and obtain their funds primarily from private and public donations. These funds are held in trust to serve the objects of the institution. To do this, NPOs usually have a body of controlling members or a board of directors. Non-profits can make money, however surplus revenues must go towards achieving their purpose or mission, rather than distributing its surplus income to the organization's shareholders.

Interestingly not all NPOs are charities.

NPOs can include distribution cooperatives, trade unions, credit unions, sports clubs and veteran associations.

Evidently, the diversity of the non-profit sector is immense.

N o n - G o ve r n m e nta l Organizations (NGOs) Again, as the name suggests, a nongovernmental organisation is an entity that is outside of the public sector and does not act on behalf of the government. Some are organized around specific issues, such as human rights, the environment or health. NGOs can be organized on a local, national or international level. An NGO will often act with respect to their own values, goals and mandates.

The largest NGO is the United Nations, an entity created after World War II in order act above nations to administer international law, trade agreements and to provide a framework for universal human rights.

Health, Education, World, Charity.

Where does Positively Transforming World fit in?

PTW is a non-profit charitable organisation that relies entirely on donations and the hard work of volunteers. Nobody at PTW is paid and any funds raised from fundraisers and donations are used solely for supporting and improving the health and education of disadvantaged children or orphaned children living in poverty. This mission is carried out by focusing on two pillars of development (global health and education,) topics which are discussed in depth in our various online publications.

PTW advocates for holistic global development which includes: environmental conservation, animal welfare, peace and justice, equality, sustainability, and responsible consumption and production. PTW operates internationally, with volunteers working together from all over the world to carry out the values, mission and vision of making a positive change in our local, national and international community. â–

LeMOGANG KEBORENG Global News Writer

Gender Scope

The International Scope of Gender and Development in Botswana

As a participating member of the United Nations, Botswana has commonly been a signatory of international and regional gender-based legislation and has participated in international conferences relating to development. Such statutes and events include the 2015 Millennium Development Goals (MDGS), the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Oddly, if one where to view the list of signatures on the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development, the signature space designated for Botswana is entirely blank. Why is this and what does this mean for the Southern African context?

What is the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development?

The objectives of the SADC protocol are to provide for the empowerment of women in Southern Africa by eliminating discrimination, increasing women’s access to resources and achieving longterm gender equality through the development and implementation of gender-responsive legislation, policies, programmes and projects.

While this protocol aims to make positive changes to the lives of women in the developing world, Botswana has refused to sign the document on the premise that it could do more to specifically target needs and opportunities for development.

Montshiwa Montshiwa, the Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs, has stated that a review of the protocol must occur in order for it to reflect the reality of women in Southern Africa and to address the primary needs and concerns. Some of the issues that are key concerns for Botswana include domestic violence, alcohol abuse, HIV and AIDS, female unemployment, and structural discrimination.

Even as a non-signatory, Botswana continues to address issues of gender and development in accordance with the current SADC protocol. In March 2015, the government approved the National Policy on Gender and Development (NPGAD) which replaced the Women in Development Policy (WID) of 1996 that was commonly accused of bias and failed to recognise the important role of men in bringing about gender equality in the developing world.

In response to this, the NPGAD promotes the full and equal participation of women and men in a transformative development process. The long-term goal of this national policy is to reduce inequalities in the opportunities and outcomes of social, economic, political, legal and cultural development for both men and women.

The legacy of women ‘s unequal citizenship in Botswana has been contested by a

landmark case brought successfully to the government, challenging laws that allowed a man married to a foreign woman to transmit citizenship to his children but not allowing a woman married to a foreigner to do the same.

As a legally recognised member of the SADC, the fact that Botswana is not a signatory of the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development could be viewed as a snub to international development legislation. On the contrary, the fact that Botswana continues to implement positive changes for women while still challenging and pushing for improved policies can also be seen as sending a strong message to other nations within the Southern African region to call for legislation that meets the specific needs of women.

Nonetheless, Botswana exemplifies a nation that is committed to bringing about gender-equality in a context where customary law and tradition has not represented gender equally. According to Gender Links Country Manager Gomolemo Rasisego, the implementation of gender-responsive development initiatives has contributed positively to the Botswanan nationbuilding progress since the second half of the 20th century.

Botswanan women now hold prominent ministerial positions in government. As a nation, we have seen the president of Botswana appoint Dr Margaret Nnananyana Nasha as the first female parliamentary speaker who held her position for five years and was succeeded by another woman, Gladys Kokorwe.

In addressing issues of human rights and freedom from gender-based violence, the Men and Boys for Gender Equality (MBGE) initiative was introduced. Similarly, the MenCare programme was developed which focuses on the role of men and boys in working towards gender equality. Initiatives such as these focus on educating people about gender-based privilege, violence, preventing HIV and promoting the health and wellbeing of men, women and children. The MenCare campaign has increased the number of men accessing safe male circumcision services and has also increased access to health services such as family planning and HIV testing. Furthermore, the initiative has also worked to redefine customary gender roles and to increase the involvement of men as fathers and caregivers.

Botswana Gender Links has also supported this national policy in aligning itself with the protocol. Gender Links has hosted workshops on entrepreneurship; training both men and women on how to start their own business. In looking after both men and women to increase gender equality, Botswana has made it available for abused men to seek remedial services from help centres like Kagisano Women’s Shelter where the majority of customers are usually women. This is a positive development that highlights that Botswana is making progress in achieving gender equality in a Southern African context.

What does it all mean?

Signatory or non-signatory, gender-responsive regional and international legislation can only go so far in bringing about positive change in the real world. While there still is a long way to go, the Botswanan case highlights that working towards gender equality comes from the implementation of gender-responsive initiatives and policies by organisations and departments that can be held accountable. The incorporation of measurable and tangible gender targets within the Sustainable Development Goals of 2015, indicate that there is a global push to account for gender in all development initiatives to ensure that positive transformation can be enjoyed by both men and women. â–

The SADC Protocol on Gender and Development