Comments on: Paul Farmer at NYU http://blog.acumenfund.org/2008/05/06/paul-farmer-at-nyu/ Sat, 20 Mar 2010 08:41:05 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Fran Loosen http://blog.acumenfund.org/2008/05/06/paul-farmer-at-nyu/#comment-139114 Fran Loosen Thu, 15 May 2008 17:31:47 +0000 http://blog.acumenfund.org/2008/05/06/paul-farmer-at-nyu/#comment-139114 I agree with Farmer wholeheartedly. In the US, private philanthropy does much to help solve social issues, but in doing so often lets government "off the hook" for issues that are public responsibilities--children's health, vaccinations, supporting veterans, etc. Yes, there is frustration working across sectors, but it's only through these combined efforts that long-lasting change can happen. I believe that these issues can build coalitions where there was only discord before. I'm thinking back to the WTO protests in Seattle where people with seemingly opposing orientations laid down their shields and linked arms for a common cause. Working shoulder to shoulder and face to face allows us to move past the ideologies and attitudes that hinder us in working for a tangible good. I agree with Farmer wholeheartedly. In the US, private philanthropy does much to help solve social issues, but in doing so often lets government “off the hook” for issues that are public responsibilities–children’s health, vaccinations, supporting veterans, etc.

Yes, there is frustration working across sectors, but it’s only through these combined efforts that long-lasting change can happen. I believe that these issues can build coalitions where there was only discord before. I’m thinking back to the WTO protests in Seattle where people with seemingly opposing orientations laid down their shields and linked arms for a common cause.

Working shoulder to shoulder and face to face allows us to move past the ideologies and attitudes that hinder us in working for a tangible good.

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