Philanthrocapitalism_ How Giving Can Save the World - Matthew Bishop [88]
The Darfur tragedy has prompted an outpouring of support for the refugees all across America, especially among college students, schoolchildren, African-American church congregations, and much of the entertainment community. Actors Don Cheadle and George Clooney have been especially active, traveling not only to Darfur but also to Egypt and China to try to persuade the governments there to support a stronger U.N. mission.
In early 2007, Mia Farrow, in her role as U.N. Children’s Fund Goodwill Ambassador, tried a different tack to persuade the Chinese to change their position. She began referring to the 2008 Olympics to be hosted by China in Beijing as the “Genocide Olympics.” She also asked Steven Spielberg, who is helping to plan the opening ceremonies, to weigh in with the Chinese, which he did. Hosting the Olympics is very important to the Chinese, who see it as an irreplaceable opportunity to showcase their history, culture, and progress to the world. Tying China’s defense of Sudan’s indefensible position to its hosting of the Olympics could seriously undermine what China hopes to gain from the games. Shortly after Farrow launched her barbs, the Chinese urged Sudan to work with U.N. secretary general Ban Ki-moon and the Arab League, led by Saudi Arabia, who want Sudan to accept a joint African Union–U.N. force of police, peacekeepers, and attack helicopters. In April 2007, the Sudanese finally agreed to accept a few thousand U.N. troops but not the full force of seventeen thousand or the attack helicopters. It’s not enough and the forces aren’t on the ground yet. But it’s a start, thanks in part to the efforts of citizen activists as well as those of concerned governments. I think we’ll see more of this kind of advocacy in the years ahead, and given our global media culture in which abuses of human rights can’t be hidden, I believe the advocates—if they’re persistent, practical, and creative—will often prevail. Most of us aren’t public figures like Mia Farrow, Don Cheadle, or George Clooney who can use their fame to do good, but each of us has the ability to do something.
One final note on governance. Citizen support is becoming increasingly important to the United Nations and its affiliated agencies. While contributions from member governments fund the basic operations of the United Nations; the World Bank; the International Monetary Fund; the World Health Organization; the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria; and others, the United Nations has taken on so many humanitarian operations that it also needs private support to be truly effective. For example, fees on airline tickets in France and several other countries fund UNITAID’s campaign against AIDS, TB, and malaria; the Gates Foundation’s support of the GAVI Alliance helps to provide more vaccines and immunizations to poor children; private donations increased UNICEF’s ability to provide schooling, clean water, and nutrition to kids after the tsunami; and Nike and Microsoft helped design ninemillion.org for the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, to give average citizens the chance to help fund the education of 9 million children in refugee camps.
In 1998, the United Nations set up its own foundation to accept private contributions in support of its various causes. Though the U.N. Foundation’s first gift was Ted Turner’s historic $1 billion contribution, it solicits contributions at all levels, and thousands of people have responded, knowing that the money will be invested well, much of it in partnerships with NGOs.
THIRTEEN
How Much Should You Give and Why?
THE DECEMBER 17, 2006, New York Times Magazine featured a fascinating