MVP: Who Are We?
You’re curious…
I could begin explaining the MVP in this first post by going over the details of the UN Millennium Development Goals, describing the theories behind sustainable poverty relief, or maybe explaining the heroic efforts by Dr. Jeffrey Sachs (and his celebrity posse) in the fight against extreme poverty. All compelling, interesting, revolutionary, practical, and maybe even trendy ideas… at least to me.
That’s exactly why I’m not going to rally behind ideals here, and in doing so summarize the experiences, expertise or familiarity with the Village Project by many others. (you can check out the websites of the three organizations behind the project and find out the structure, mission, and achievements for yourself – The UN MDP, MillenniumPromise and Columbia’s Earth Institute)
The MVP isn’t about me… and it isn’t about you. The MVP is about US for them; for people living in extreme poverty without any way out.
So, don’t ask what YOU can do. Simply understand what WE can do.
Who will WE be? Again, I could muse over a long-winded definition of the current vision for the MVP campaign; a statement several of your peers have been wrestling with this summer. However, words will do no justice to including each and every vestige of the student bodies at three very different institutions: precisely to whom the MVP appeals.
Rather than search for a concrete definition of who we are or how you fit, understand that the MVP is not a group. It is a movement uniting three campuses behind a goal. The MVP represents our pledge to relieving poverty. It gives US a direct hand to help others in grave need, no matter where or whom they are.
Help the MVP become US.
Wonder, question, communicate, and share the movement. Your voice is ours- this opportunity is ours- and soon, others will hear US.
“Ensure ours is the last generation to know poverty: A revolution is possible.” – MillenniumPromise Organization
By Emme Glenn on August 23rd, 2006
As a member of an organization that works to achieve the Millennium Development Goal on halving poverty, I wholeheartedly approve of this campaign. We’ve learned that it only takes a small amount to make a big difference, whether that small amount is money lent or time dedicated or action taken. To paraphrase Bono, we can’t say that we didn’t know how to end poverty or achieve any of the MDGs. It’s up to us.
I encourage readers to find more information about the possibilities of microfinance for achieving the Millennium Development Goal on poverty on our website, http://www.microcreditsummit.org.
Mr. DuVal,
We are excited to have your recognition and approval. How did you hear of our website or organization?
This campaign is the way for universities to take action in the fight to end poverty.
Please keep in touch as our campaign builds momentum in the next few months.
Thank you again for your support!
Hi,
I am a student at the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, India. I am part of our institutes’s outreach program for villages called I-Vill (link below). We are currently developing a community-based outreach program using a village not too far from the campus as our pilot village. Are there any resources MVP has put together that may be of use to us? We would also like to explore the possibility of a collaboration in any way possible.
Keep up the awesome work!
(http://www.ivil.iitm.ac.in/ivl-main-page.html)