Ending poverty and hunger

United Nations - "Ending Poverty and Hunger" is part of a UN short film series "The Story You are Shaping" created by HUMAN, which premiered at the UN Sustainable Development Summit 2015.

Written and Directed by
Jonathan Olinger

Created by

In partnership with
The Office of the Special Adviser on Post-2015 Development Planning
UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs
UN Department of Public Information

Voice by
Phumzille Sitole

“Gravity”
Ben Lukas Boysen

Edited by
Yaara Sumeruk
Ricky Norris

Music Supervision by
Jacob Marshall

Sound Design and Mix by
Ryan Pribyl

Produced by
Yaara Sumeruk
Chelsea Franklin
Juliana Schatz
Hannah Roodman

Special Thanks to
UNICEF
UNDP
The United Nations Foundation

[tamara]

Education as an Antidote for Hunger

Recently, the UN, and several related organizations, marked two significant dates: the World Food Day and the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. International organizations for the poor and hungry have existed at least since the end of World War II, but neither poverty nor hunger have been eradicated. If anything, they have increased. What, then, are we doing wrong, and can we change the dismal reality?

The problem is not lack of food; there is plenty of it. In fact, much of the food that is produced gets thrown away and pollutes the water and the ground rather than feeding hungry mouths. So people are hungry not for lack of food, but because there is no interest in helping people get it.

The prevailing attitude is one of narcissism. We care only for ourselves and suspect everyone else’s intentions toward us. If we have any surplus funds, we use them to build walls and fences, not to help others. This is how we behave around the world as individuals and as nations.

To quiet our conscience, we create organizations to tend to the poor and hungry. We fund them generously and appoint functionaries and bureaucrats to deal with the problem.

But if our hearts were with the poor, we would not leave them in the hands of bureaucrats, just as we would not leave our children in the hands of social workers to see to their upbringing. We would see that the people we care about get what they need.

Because we do not care, we appoint uncaring people who present plans for dealing with the spreading poverty and hunger, and announce special days to bring the problem to public awareness. They do not do a thing about the actual problems, but simply justify their bloated salaries through professionally designed presentations and verbose speeches that glorify their (nonexistent) achievements.

If they truly wanted to solve the problem, which funds their lavish lifestyle, there would be many ways to do so. However, the surest way to lift people from poverty is education.

First, there are technologies that can increase the yield of fields by multiple times through sophisticated irrigation systems, controlled environments, and other means. Farmers need to be taught how to use these technologies, and should be given the means to acquire them. This step alone would lift countless people out of hunger and poverty.

Next, I think that organizations for eradication of poverty and hunger should use their budgets to buy lands where they will both grow crops for food that will be dedicated for the poor, and use some of the land to teach local farmers more efficient agriculture.

Additionally, these centers for agriculture and education should be used in order to provide general education. It is well known that educated people have more opportunities in life, are generally better off, and can provide for themselves and their families better than uneducated people. Therefore, as a means to eradicate poverty and hunger, these centers should also provide general knowledge and education.

Also, education should not be only about avoiding poverty. Poverty is not a personal matter, but a social one. Therefore, people who study at these education centers should also learn about solidarity, mutual responsibility, interdependence in today’s world, and other topics that will help them establish themselves as positive elements in a connected world.

In this way, we can create an agrarian transformation that will become a social and cultural transformation that can free people not only from the grip of poverty and hunger, but integrate them in the global society of the 21st century as confident and positive individuals. In turn, these people will help others rise from poverty, and the process will gain momentum.

[SplendourV]

Ending Poverty and Hunger especially in the rural areas sounds impossible yet attempt-able. Let us attempt with our little efforts/programs/activities and see if miracles do happen because I believe it does.

[lightsbackon]

The video states poverty has many forms, but no borders. However, we can restrict poverty and even alleviate it. Closing wealth gaps, proper employment with reasonable hours, and stable housing are just a few ways to close those borders. We want to make an attempt at helping to end poverty by assisting low-income Georgia residents with their energy bills, bill payment, and short-term housing. It may not seem like much, but when we can all come together and be on one accord, it can make a dramatic difference. In the end, there should be equality across the board and not just for some people. Let's come together and help end poverty now!

[rishitseth]

GREAT Video"the day you stop giving is the day you stop receiving, the day you stop learning is the day you stop growing"

[kissterming]

We see what you do for real & its far from good as one can get.

[nihilismfromnow]

it's a world full of liars... for profit...

[ExceptionalWorld]

I'm going to change my job and career and finally do what I've wanted to do all my life - I'll have to join an organization that advocates for human rights and the general welfare of all people worldwide.

Together with other organizations and the United Nations UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, I would like to create more and better laws, that require the states of all peoples on earth to support and help each other.

We have to learn to exchanged money and also groceries with each other on this planet.
Anyone who has enough, should donate a part of their money and groceries to this people directly or via the big organizations.

This is our plan for the future - Money shouldn't represent the world domination, but the humanity of us.


I have already been able to help more than 25 people privately with my money and my direct time, help and work in the Philippines to ensure that they have a more comfortable and better life.

Anyone who looks away is turning a blind eye to reality and humanity - please, stop it and don't do this anymore, thank you!

[gamisheideg.]

Permission to use this video for school purpose only. THANK YOU.

[margaretteartizo]

Permission to use some parts of the video for my performance task, thank you!

[JennilynA.Macuray]

Hello po may I have a permission to use ur vedio for our school project ❤thank you

[Baby_monster]

Permission to use video for presentation 🙏🏻❤

[richardsmatthew]

fancy letting me promote this to my class lol

[rodentelay]

Not quite sure what to say. these people needs help, and understadnding. If you can help out. Please do it. I am the rabbit, rodent, Hamster, g. pigs rescue. I trying saving lives for about 35 years now. Judy

[dripxiaoping]

This entire comment section feels like it was forged by internet comment ettiquete

[reverieloreto]

Permission to use some slides of this video for my performance task, thankyou!♥️🙏

[sabyasachipal]

Dear, united nation think of curbing population rather than thinking of working on hunger.

[kristineclaireapostol]

Whats the name of the bagkground music

[yakubuaminu]

Good evening I'm want to secure the permission to translate this video in Hausa Language.

[isniharapendatu]

Permission to use some of the clip of this video for school purpose only. THANK YOU.

[maesaldana]

Permission to use some of the clip of this video for school purpose only. Thanks!