On August 4, 2011 called Dick Wittenberg in an editorial from NRC Handelsblad fourteen reasons not to give money for emergency aid to the Horn of Africa. There is only one reason opposite to do so. When we think about hunger, there are more arguments to find nothing to give because people are seen as objects of hunger and figures about aid.
It remains a discussion on an abstract level, as one can ask questions about austerity of care. It is considered the guilt over inaction and policy and much more. Unfortunately, these conferences a lot of time, energy and money, but concrete results are often out. We are dealing with disasters that are determined by a caprice of nature and of politics that can not be foreseen. A sudden drought in the Horn of Africa, a tribal war or a policy change in higher courts can make everything unpredictable and do fail.
From the abstract thinking of the bureaucratic institution thought to be about 12 million people in the Horn of Africa are threatened with hunger. That is compared with the 913 million people globally hunger lijden.Volgens the figures, 28,000 people a day die of hunger, of which only 8% in the Horn of Africa. Then there are some models on the basis of assessments made in a way, also usable for about bee mortality in the province to consider. This approach is very rational but essentially also inhumane, because it concerns people that we all share responsibility.
Very different is the reality of hunger, if we on the side of the road the dead bodies of their children who are fleeing hunger succumbed. Children with a name, children who take no blame for the hunger situation. Then it is meaningless to talk about guilt or numbers to compare. We are then faced with a reality that we can get deep in our hearts, without words, without numbers, without arguments. Then we realize what we actually need to do for these people, a personal answer from the inner security of our hearts, from the source of our common humanity and shared responsibility for each other.
I know that many people still uncertainty persists or is their help with the right people. There is indeed no guarantee and it remains a risk. Each project plays a role in business risk, even in emergency. I have spent 15 years working on relief and know from experience that a lot of help evaporated, but that is inherent in crisis situations. Yet it appears that thanks to the creativity and enthusiasm of local counselors there is always enough to the people gets to the highest extraordinary need.
If nobody cares about avoiding risk, nothing happens. Anyone who dares to take this risk can be sure that there is something concrete is reached. At least that workers, as well as the victims, feel they are not left alone. That gives them confidence and strength to bravely continue. Often grows in this field of emergency a bond of humanity that is not in numbers to display and not in words to express. This may be the richest experience I've had in my involvement with the people in need. Whoever from the depths of the heart has done something for a man in distress, may experience something of the meaning of our lives.
| Sincerely, Paul de Blot Professor of Business Spirituality Nyenrode Business Universiteit |  |
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If you eat them they will be hungry again in a month. Condoms do not know them. Explanation about giving is pointless because they are illiterate. So it just keeps reproducing netzoals roughly taken a "rat infestation" .. If you keep feeding them they live, children should also eat and so you actually help more people hungry for guidance. Very sad that they're hungry, but the problem just get worse when you eat gives / money. Option is no more money to it, they die themselves, but it's hard once said so. And we have crisis and pay v
Payment to pay .. But first make sure that our own country in order have the money here in the Netherlands to stay. Yours truly Tom 15jaar.
I consider myself fortunate to have gained similar experience. Whether it's selfish I know. It gives satisfaction and resignation.
Dear Paul
thank you for your inspiring article. When we talk about what the rake we take the obligation upon us to also look at what's happening in our society that continues to stick hangen.Alle food that is thrown away, merely because it has expired, you will hear perhaps to this categorie.Ik fear that this list could well be very long.
with cordial greetings
First: Prof. hilarious that all respondents for their name!
and further, I would not - in excellent condition and under exceptional circumstances - when I have no life-saving aid had received when I really needed it. from people who had no interest in and real effort to do. Who said that again, "with a different save, save your own life? it's the truth.
Sincerely.
The figures in talk is very serious indeed, every living creature of feeling, so other animals than humans, suffering, suffering.
Yet there are certainly many things to do. Our whole way we trade for example float must be different, just as political power. We look too much short term, whatever is needed, but also to longer term we should look. There is rarely a real preventive work. Wounds occur, not close.
I hardly have income, but buy almost all organic and fair. I'm not saying this is a guarantee, but that how we live here, what we do all our shopping many states and at least allowed to do our best.
We say if Western world is so tough that example, we have abolished slavery, but we just move it to another country.
There is no meaning of life, that we ... I'd prefer if life activist (animal rights activist is not enough) are useless, a "meaningless life", but alas.
Ultimately, money not continue to give the option, though, give money to good products that promote fair trade and the like. Countries, groups people, individuals must independently should / could be. Then they own stocks ... financial resources. If Western companies grow and all sorts of things (drinking) water fall from the locals ...
There must come a change in mentality.
One thing I know for sure. For the fact of wanting to help others in their need nobody to be ashamed ...
Unfortunately for all of you I belong to you an 'inhuman' calls. I have decided to no single donation to any charity that is intended solely for people to do more. Man is kind of like the source of much misery in the world and respects the nature of all. As long as man as an impossible task to do what appears to experience the unbridled propagation of his kind (and this applies particularly to the area called the horn of Africa) I do not feel compelled to solve other people's misery. I'd rather give my money to our fellow earthlings who happen to any other species but the same right to a good life on this planet, namely the animals. Hear and read about them you anything in terms of the suffering in the Horn of Africa.
Hear, hear.
Last sentence shoot me in quite the wrong way Ms. Elly de Bruin.
I find it quite an arrogance that your soul like an old soul classifies.
I think really old souls do not need this at the end a little to report.
Hi Paul,
Maybe there is a link between our behavior and their hungry?
http://tinyurl.com/3xd56dh
Thank you for your loving look, and especially expression of solidarity ...
When one is born in Africa has a man there to work out his destiny. Is there a new life from the reincarnation process handed.
From this process the soul is purified again and again is also a new opportunity opened up to achieve a higher level.
We see from the rich West, these people feel like victims and called us from altruism to "help". But by helping we help not in fact. Certainly not with money then even to the fingers of many workers stuck.
If you really want help, then go to it and shows you that the matter of the west can let go.
But there is one God, who says: I've never abandoned, trust me.
PS I do endorse NETHERLANDS PLAN for development in the poorest countries.
From my social Christian upbringing.
And oh yes, .... I used to have silver spared the poor children in Africa
and even less butter hammering eaten because they were more than anything.
Thanks Paul that you want to read this response.
I have no doctorate but a great human heart with an "old soul".
Dear Paul,
as I see the problem here, like so many other things in modern society, that the 'give to other people "quantified and qualified instead of felt with the heart. Such things as purely rational in the NRC piece called, can only exist when the heart is turned off. Where you in all your columns on spirituality in my business is pointing to, is to enable the heart in your life, even when talking about business things going. So I see a lot happening that people donate money for charities, because they feel they have something to contribute and that something should happen, while to feel torn because she also their lives to keep up and running. Also I knew that feeling, but now do whatever is possible to the spot also real help.
It is therefore encouraging to see that now (small) foundations and initiatives, which in those places in the world where it is sorely needed, there are selfless people. And it is not only material help, but with a heart connection so - as you also wrote - just the feeling that they are not alone. So I myself am a foundation member, whereby the world's people there at his own expense to help provide the aforementioned ways. So we are trying to get finances together for 8 wells to store for people who have no drinking water. Something for us the most natural thing in the world.
Donations are therefore indeed very important, because economic thought would otherwise never a penny would go to such regions. Why I see so an increasing role for companies to global social responsibility - and not just as window dressing, but from a realization that the grabbing of the previous 30 years when I could, now followed should be returned to society and the planet.
Everyone who reads this and within a company operates, I would like to help encourage social responsibility in this framework, and sense of humanity to bear.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Dear Mr. De Blot,
Your column touches my heart! Already several times in interviews this column above. Observers and calculators among them silenced and could not continue with their argument. After all, when the true humanity (ie love) is the heart speaks and not the head. Thank you for your words and deeds.
Thank you Paul.
Your thoughts always touch my heart.
Time is money is a persistent belief in our world.
If TIME and MONEY MONEY is NOT for EVERYBODY creates the belief that not everybody gets TIME. And so people die with no time of life.
The world is a reflection of our
Consciously or unconsciously we all work with a system in which the I is more important than the U.S. interest. Do we want change? Difficult is not it - just start with yourself. When to change? NOW or ....
The world is beautiful and we can cooperate.
Your column is a beautiful and inspiring example to our awareness what we stand for and want to go.
Thank you for that.
Dear Paul,
Straight from the heart. Clearly inspired.
"I was naked and you clothed me. I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you visited me. "
Then the righteous will answer him: "Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give thee drink?
When saw we thee a stranger and recorded, you naked and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and we come to you? "And the King will reply," I tell you everything you did for one of the least of my brothers or sisters, that you have done for me. "
Jesus
Thanks Paul, for your nuanced look at this discussion. Compassion and acting from the principle of unity is a spiritual awareness that goes beyond short-term solutions.
Dear Mr. de Blot
Well the reaction of Mr Arnold Gnocchi touches me, that one fish makes the difference. I'm from the generation of the silver milk caps save for the "poor kids in Africa" What I find difficult to understand is that there is in all those years is still not something concrete has changed in this world. What is needed to really find solutions for every time the recurring famine? It is certainly needed now to alleviate the worst poverty and it is even more important to ensure that this does not happen. Unfortunately I have not only ready answer but it is highest priority that we as rich countries consider a permanent solution to prevent this.
Thank you Paul de Blot for touching our humanity
Sincerely
Dear Paul,
Thanks for your wise words.
On a soul level we are connected to everyone here on earth. Choosing not to give feel like ignoring the hunger of your own children. I hope the hype surrounding the hunger deaths in the Horn of Africa continues until all the headlines from the world's hunger deaths. We have the knowledge and helping hands to anywhere in the world to make a difference. Let the armies stop war and we all use defense industry fair, sustainable food production.
Paz, Amor, Allegria
Rik
Dear Mr. de Blot,
Oops, in my contribution here just before I have to fast on the send button is pressed. Please download the latest subparagraphs starting with the stripes to ignore. It was like it was long enough!
Dear Mr. de Blot,
Thanks for your column. It confirms to me again why spiritual leadership as needed. If the base under both ratios as a feeling.
I believe in the sincerity of the NRC editors wake up so we do because of paragraph 15 will indicate the Horn.
But because the 14 arguments against giving money to the Horn as absolute facts presented, it seems the sensible conclusion that you were thinking to come to the conclusion: "do not".
For those susceptible to such an argument: once do some homework on these 14 so-called arguments and conclude for yourself that there are many things on these generalizations to fall into the specific situation of the Horn.
The 15th point is the only item to be offered. It is deliberately not developed as an argument (the spiritual poverty of the NRC?) And generates therefore suggests that those who then gives it but just need to disable ratio in favor of a sense of humanity. But if every man in this world has an equal right to a plate of food then it should not become dependent on our feelings for something to give a feeling whimsical, that you're once or not have (because of feelings you nothing do?) that just flares up and then leave, depending on the coverage by the media.
Caring for others you do not have to do based on your head or your heart. Someone once advised to keep each other with all your soul, your heart, all your mind and all your influence. That sets the bar high again!
That's money for relief with the inevitable risk that not all arrive.
But arms sales to dictators and militias there to denounce yes even if no oil is and if the economy affects our own sacred
Establish and maintain connections between us and the people there: even if no media attention.
Companies on the neck that are being established with the question: And whose side are you really there?
Spiritual leadership sought political and business with a spiritual basis in reason and feeling. And people like us who go there to ask.
- By only points against giving to the Horn as arguments to write will give the impression that absolute truths while content of everything on such simplifications is to haggle.
- Like to give to our fellow man and should only feel, against my better judgment, we become totally dependent on how we feel and how media attention that can feed (or not). Spiritual leadership asked us to make people aware that every man an equal right (not favor) on a plate of food.
The intent of Mr. Wittenberg seems successful. People waking up and start thinking. And I believe in his sincerity and that of the NRC editorial that one point he mentions that after the 14 reasons not to give eventually should lead to give.
Yet there is life-sized snakes in the grass. Wittenberg plays rationally argue against it give out humanity. It is significant that his one point for giving very evident but (deliberately?) Not as an argument developed.
Only "a feeling of humanity does not entitle our fellow men. That feeling is erratic and subject to media attention.
also at least 26 reasons not to bank with ING
Dear Paul,
Thank you for your inspiring and wise words. I can find it and find it important to contribute.
Yes give is about compassion. Compassion, empathy and compassion. That happened from the heart, from the depths of our soul. Where we do our empathy and a situation and in case of hunger arises from the image myself what it would be like me this would happen to them! How happy am I that there are others around the world who support me with money, goods, leifde and attention. It's not easy feeling this really deep to admit, because it can cause a feeling of guilt and shame give. But that's not the point. How to support myself that others persons, wherever in the world. that is important, even if everything is not optimal and efficient operations .... If when it comes to the basics of daily life, eating and drinking goes, only the heart can speak convincingly and a good feeling to action brengen.Met something for our fellow man (we are all connected) even when done by money-hungry Africa to give and be with them in mind ..... Yours.
Every day I realize how much luck I am come into this world. I am 1. healthy, 2. Caucasian, 3. raised by wonderful parents, 4. always enough to eat (had), 5. every educated that I would have wanted to do and 6.kan continue to do so, 7.ben in the safest place in the world born 8.ben a woman 9.mag and can work a lot and that is always fun, 10. am able to be financially independent, 11.woon with my great love, 12. have nice friends, 13. live in a lovely house, 14. in beautiful surroundings 15. happy and have learned to SHARE!
13 I do not need a reason not to give - I have every reason to give OR - in fact, creating a structural contribution to make to other people who may be less lucky than me! They have chosen not to! Since 6 years, I support - along with several other people from my neighborhood a family in Arusha (Tanzania) - in addition to their own children, they have 22 orphans caught in their own family!
Together we give our life and well-being to the next generation of Africans - with the confidence that they will make the difference.
What a luck that I can contribute to this.
Dear Mr. De Blot / best Paul
Your column reinforced my thought of relief. It was also good that you shared personal experience in your column. That stimulated us, which our thanks.
Thank you.
I'll send your message to my network.
Sincerely,
Jeanette by Stijn
Dear Mr. de Blot,
Thank you for the valuable column about this in several respects-sensitive subject. I am still of the generation of 'collection for the mission, milk caps, tinfoil, etc. The fair to say that I am very confused in my attitude towards the umpteenth 555 action. By submitting your contribution, however, I must think of a good story / example of 'compassion against their better judgment. " An old gray (how?) Man walks on a deserted beach, which really is littered with stranded wriggling silver fish that gasp for air. In the distance he sees a young man who walks along the shoreline and at each step carefully and gingerly picks up a fish back into the sea. The old man walks up to the youth and said in soothing tones: "Dear boy, here are thousands of fish struggling for their lives. What you are doing now is certainly well intentioned, but does nothing and has no sense. " Whereupon the boy just looks up and answer with a fish in his hand, "or this fish ...." If a man saves, saves humanity ... 555? Thinking with the heart, give to the soul?
Dear Sir The Blot
Thank you very much for your wise words this morning through the mail to me rolled into. They help me.
A warm
Guy Renwart
Yes, do you give with your heart. Alleviate distress and preferably even from your instinct. A kind alitruïsme which grows from our solidarity instinct, a deep awareness that we all belong to the human species and to survive. And solidarity can not really not translate into numbers, but in action by deeply touched by you can identify that person who is like you, like me. In short, thank you, Paul, for your wisdom, your emotional intelligence.