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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.
MDG Daniel Printable Version PRINTABLE VERSION
by Madelaine Hamilton, Canada Oct 16, 2006
Culture , Peace & Conflict   Opinions

  

Don’t you know, talking about a revolution
(sounds like a whisper)
Poor people going rise up, and get their share
Poor people going rise up, and take what’s theirs
Don’t you know you better run run run run run run run run
All of a sudden you better run run run run run run run run
‘Cos finally the tables, are starting to turn,
Talking about a revolution
~Tracy Chapman

Do you hear it?
Listen harder.
It may sound like a whisper, but the women of India are making noise. They are organizing, planning, comforting, learning, teaching and creating change in their communities. They are working collectively in sangams and self-help groups to build solidarity which transcends religion, politics, and socio-economic status. They are in the millions and are working to achieve the MDGs. They are creating substantive change.
In August 2005, I returned from India as an intern with Canada Corps, a Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) funded initiative administered through the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC).
For over three months I traveled with governmental and non-governmental agencies working to aid Tsunami victims, examine the impact of international economic policy on rural community groups, and research both gender equity issues and the current HIV/AIDS pandemic.
I have recently completed my undergraduate degree in Social Justice and Peace Studies and will begin my MA in Globalization Studies this fall. While the cognitive stimulus offered within a university context remains invaluable, the experience of working with the women of India and seeing efforts to achieve the MDGs proved to be the most educational and exciting component of my
studies. I have created many opportunities for public engagement based upon my research and have used photographs and excerpts from interviews. I have
conducted related to the MDGs to build both resonance and discourse at the community level.
I draw inspiration from the many women’s community groups I met with, ate with, laughed with, and danced with. My candid conversations with dozens of these groups confirmed what I already knew: to create change in India we must invest in women, and work with the poor. The MDGs will only be achieved if we
continue to evolve from a charity and often paternal model of developmental aid. The only way to create justice-oriented change is found in true partnership.
The rhetoric surrounding the MDGs sounds easy: “partnership, equity, solidarity, facilitating growth etc.” However, creating substantive change in a
justice-oriented way is not. Sitting with these women, in their homes or under trees, I received the education of my life; a lesson in what grassroots organizing
really looks like. I believe using women’s groups as a tool for decision-making and community organizing is inspiring and profoundly important. In fact, only in working with the women of the world do we have a chance in achieving any of the MDGs. As Tracy
Chapman and I both would hope, this sounds like the beginnings of a revolution.





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