What does FEEEDS®or the FEEEDS®Advocacy Initiative mean? FEEEDS is an acronym that encompasses some of the main global issues of today-- Food Security, Education, Environment-Energy, Economics, Democracy-Development and Self-help -- that both the developed and developing countries are grappling with in order to address and resolve the challenges in these areas for the global community. FEEEDS®represents the first letter of each word or word-phrase of the Initiative. Discussion of FEEEDS®on Blogit-rrs: The Africa Post will include blogspots on issues as they relate primarily to discussions about Sub Saharan Africa. Blogit-rrs: The Africa Post will also include blogspot coverage on other issues as well.
Introducing the FEEEDS Initiative & FE3DS:
Food Security = Access, Available and Adequate (nutritional) food sources. World Food Day is October 16; 6 million children die a year of food-related diseases; 3 million people in the developed world are malnourished (http://www.fao.org/; http://www.globaleducation.edna.edu.au/). Challenge: There is enough food in the world, but it is not equitably distributed.
Education = Universal primary education is needed across the African Continent specifically for young girls. International Literacy Day is September 8; 860 million people do not have access to quality education of which 66% are women; access to basic education for children has been dropping since 2000; 103.5 million children world-wide are not in school of which 57% are girls; a teacher deficit exist world-wide; and, reportedly 13-35 million more teachers are needed by 2015 to achieve universal education (http://www.uis.unesco.org/). Donor nations also need to include vocational and entrepreneurial training in their education programs, particularly given the youth bulge in Africa and other developing countries.
Environment-Energy = Linked because climate change and energy sources are connected and renewable and alternative energy sources will help protect our global environment. World Enviroment Day is June 5; global rate of ice melt is increasing; 5,500 children die each day from diseases related to pollution; nearly half the world population depends on solid fuels such as wood, dung, crop residue, cola, fossil fuels, etc. (http://www.worldwatch.org/). Hence, Environment and Energy are linked, and should be discussed together as we examine more options for renewable sources.
Economics = Macroeconomic frameworks must be transparent and credible so that the financial resources of a nation are used to develop the social sectors. In addition, plans for a developing nation's true economic growth needs to include a focus on encouraging job creation, income-generating activities and the entrepreneurial spirit.
Democracy-Development = Credible and Transparent Elections, Democratic Institutions, Freedom of Speech and Association are the hallmarks of progress, growth, and the Development of any nation. Democracy must be the order of the day in order to have Development for the future.
Self-help = Self reliance and mutual responsibility are fundamental to development. Every citizen of a nation has a role to play in the development of their nation. Arise each day to make a contribution to your community or your nation: this in turns “Feeeds” the world and our global society.
Welcome to the FEEEDS Advocacy Initiative & See the FEEEDS Brochures @: bit.ly/FEEEDS & bit.ly/FEEEDSCover
