Readers of this blog will recall that back in February of 2008 I wrote some posts about my trip to Turkmenistan where I worked with women artisans hoping to sell their goods in Western markets. The organization that sponsored and organized the trip, Winrock International, sent me a packet in the mail this week and in it was a very nice letter (electronically signed by President Obama) and a certificate indicating that I had won the bronze level President's Volunteer Service Award for the time I volunteered in Turkmenistan.
While I certainly wasn't expecting any sort of award or recognition, I have to admit that I thought it was a very nice way to recognize the efforts of volunteers. A total of 99 Winrock volunteers won the award. I particularly like this organization because among other things it has a strong focus on programs that support the establishment and growth of small and medium-sized enterprises, which as I've said time and again is what I believe is the key to poverty alleviation.
The other cool thing about the award is that the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation encourages as many "winners" as possible - volunteering is not something that should be exclusive.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Sustainable Communities: The Local and Global Impact of Fair Trade and Responsible Sourcing
Tonight I'll be part of a panel discussing the global impact of fair trade and responsible sourcing.
The event is being hosted by ABC Carpet & Home in NYC and is being presented by New York Women Social Entrepreneurs (NYWSE)This forum features leading women social entrepreneurs who will share their insights and experience on the guiding principles of fair trade, the pros and cons of certification, and the state of responsible sourcing in the face of an economic downturn.
Should be an interesting evening. Will come back with some highlights.
The event will be facilitated by Marisa Guber, curator/ shop manager ABC Home&Planet and the other p[anelists include:
Patti Carpenter: Carpenter + Co., President and Founder
Amy Chender: ABC Home, VP of Social Responsibility
Rebecca Kousky: Nest, Executive Director and Founder
Should be an interesting evening. Will come back with some highlights.
Monday, May 18, 2009
"What is happening in Congo is the most brutal and rampant violence toward women in the world. "
The above statement was made by Eve Ensler in her poignant article posted on CNN today about what's happening to women not only caught, but specifically targeted in the violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo - an enormous central African nation with loads of natural resources and few rules of law.
She not only highlights the brutal facts: "In 12 years, there have been 6 million dead men and women in Congo and 1.4 million people displaced. Hundreds and thousands of women and girls have been raped and tortured. Babies as young as 6 months, women as old as 80, their insides torn apart." But also asks the simple question of "Why?"
Anyone have any answers?
She not only highlights the brutal facts: "In 12 years, there have been 6 million dead men and women in Congo and 1.4 million people displaced. Hundreds and thousands of women and girls have been raped and tortured. Babies as young as 6 months, women as old as 80, their insides torn apart." But also asks the simple question of "Why?"
Anyone have any answers?
Monday, February 2, 2009
Is Water The New Oil?
Read an interesting post today by Kim Miller on the Seeking Alpha website talking about the value of water. Traveling back and forth from Africa for several years truly drove home the value of this precious commodity and Miller makes the point quite clear when he surmises that it might be the next thing traded on an exchange:
"You can’t – at least not yet – buy water on any exchange in the world. As water supplies get tighter across the world, this could change. Water is the new oil – a precious commodity, increasingly harder to find, manage and distribute; and that supply is often subject to the whims of Mother Nature. Control of available water is subject to the whims of government. In some parts of the country, the availability of water is restricting the building of housing."
While Africans know all too well the value of water, Americans (at least North Americans) often take it for granted. Global warming has us focused on fossil fuels, but water will likely turn out to be worth much more "per barrel." I remember a couple years ago driving back to NY from DC in October during a freak heat wave and making an off-hand comment to a woman at a gas station that someday we might really have a severe drought, her response was "that's not a big deal for me 'cuz I don't wash my car and I drink soda." Clearly we need to do a better job educating people on the life sustaining value of water.
"You can’t – at least not yet – buy water on any exchange in the world. As water supplies get tighter across the world, this could change. Water is the new oil – a precious commodity, increasingly harder to find, manage and distribute; and that supply is often subject to the whims of Mother Nature. Control of available water is subject to the whims of government. In some parts of the country, the availability of water is restricting the building of housing."
While Africans know all too well the value of water, Americans (at least North Americans) often take it for granted. Global warming has us focused on fossil fuels, but water will likely turn out to be worth much more "per barrel." I remember a couple years ago driving back to NY from DC in October during a freak heat wave and making an off-hand comment to a woman at a gas station that someday we might really have a severe drought, her response was "that's not a big deal for me 'cuz I don't wash my car and I drink soda." Clearly we need to do a better job educating people on the life sustaining value of water.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
What a day in America!
January 20, 2009 will certainly be a day to remember. Whatever the ultimate legacy of Barack H. Obama, now the 44th president of the United States, on this day people from both sides of the political aisle, of every race, religion and economic station came together (about 2 million in person!) to witness the first African-American take the oath of our highest office.
(Photo from CNN.com)
It will certainly be one of those "where were you when" moments. I'll remember being in a bar/cafe in SOHO (NY) with a work colleague and about 50 strangers, all of us with our eyes glued to the TV and all feeling like somehow we had a new lease on life as individuals and as a nation. Pretty cool.
(Photo from CNN.com)It will certainly be one of those "where were you when" moments. I'll remember being in a bar/cafe in SOHO (NY) with a work colleague and about 50 strangers, all of us with our eyes glued to the TV and all feeling like somehow we had a new lease on life as individuals and as a nation. Pretty cool.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Happy New Year!
Wishing my family, friends and colleagues around the world a very happy New Year! May 2009 bring you health, happiness, prosperity and really good chocolate!
I rang in the new year in traditional NY style...no, that does not mean I stood with the tourists in Times Square. Rather, I threw a party at my place and then did the New York Road Runners Club 4-mile midnight run in Central Park which was a total blast. A full fireworks display kicks off the event and many people run in costumes, making it very festive despite the freezing temperatures! And yes, I had plenty of food and drink both before and after the run so though I did not post my best time, I have to say it was one of my favorite "races" of the year! I just might have to make it an annual tradition :-).
Can't wait to see what 2009 brings!
I rang in the new year in traditional NY style...no, that does not mean I stood with the tourists in Times Square. Rather, I threw a party at my place and then did the New York Road Runners Club 4-mile midnight run in Central Park which was a total blast. A full fireworks display kicks off the event and many people run in costumes, making it very festive despite the freezing temperatures! And yes, I had plenty of food and drink both before and after the run so though I did not post my best time, I have to say it was one of my favorite "races" of the year! I just might have to make it an annual tradition :-).
Can't wait to see what 2009 brings!
Friday, December 5, 2008
Etsy Recognized as Technology Pioneer by World Economic Forum
On December 4, 2008 The World Economic Forum in Generva announced 34 visionary companies selected as Technology Pioneers 2009 for their accomplishments as innovators of the highest calibre, and whose technologies will have a deep impact on business and society.
After working in social enterprise for 5 years prior to joining Etsy (official start is in January) I'm really pleased to see Etsy's vision to empower people to change the world’s economy, one person and one community at a time being recognized.
Selection is the result of a vigorous process, for which the Forum received more than 320 applications from around the world that were evaluated by 44 global technology experts. The entire list of Technology Pioneers, with profiles and executive interviews, can be found here.
After working in social enterprise for 5 years prior to joining Etsy (official start is in January) I'm really pleased to see Etsy's vision to empower people to change the world’s economy, one person and one community at a time being recognized.
Selection is the result of a vigorous process, for which the Forum received more than 320 applications from around the world that were evaluated by 44 global technology experts. The entire list of Technology Pioneers, with profiles and executive interviews, can be found here.
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