Flickr: Shoshanah
This holiday season, as we gather with friends and family, let's also come together for a broader goal. We need to come #Together4Zero and make sure that 2015 is the year that sets the world on the path to ending extreme poverty. So read through this piece, and use our wishes as inspiration to start your own conversation.
This Hanukkah, families around the world will come together to celebrate a treasured tradition.
Way back when, Jews living under Greek leader Antiochus were being persecuted because of their religion. Eventually, Antiochus banned Jewish practice entirely, and defiled the Temple of Jerusalem.
A group of Jewish fighters waged a three year campaign that culminated in the restoration of the Temple. Once the Temple was rebuilt, a candle was lit with enough oil to last one day. The story goes, however, that the candle remained lit for 8 days.
Today, the lighting of the Menorah has many religious meanings for Jews, but it also serves as a reminder of what Jews refer to as the “Miracle of Hanukkah.”
Forgive me, I’m about to use this story to make a bit of a stretch, but one I hope you’ll understand. I think the Miracle of Hanukkah can also be interpreted as demonstrating how sometimes our actions can have lasting impacts we might not have anticipated, or even intended.
With that idea in mind, some of us in the office wanted to share the actions we want to see come to fruition in our lifetime. We know that the actions we take in the coming years will change the world as we know it, especially for the world’s poor. And if we do it right, the impacts of these actions will last for generations to come.
Flickr:Umang and Umed / Oxfam International
1. Children who want to grow up to be doctors, lawyers, or whatever their dream is, won’t feel limited by their background or geography.
- Christina Nuñez, Editor
2. Men and women (none of them children) will feel free to marry who they feel is right, when they feel it’s right. Or they can choose not to marry at all!
- Brandon Blackburn Dwyer, Managing Editor
3. People will share and learn from each other's cultures, religions, and backgrounds, rather than being separated by their differences.
- Nina Stein, Intern
Flickr: PWRDF
4. A generation of children will be born in an HIV free world!
- Hilary Gleason, US Campaigns Fellow
5. Every individual on the planet will be in conditions where they are able to live to their potential.
- Ines Dawson, Business Development Officer
Russ and Daughters
6. The whole world will know the goodness that is creamed herring.
- Tom Blake, Lead Editor
7. Families won’t have to choose between healthy food and affordable food.
- Sofia Van Raan, Social and Digital Coordinator
DFATD | MAECD
8. Girls will be encouraged to pursue careers in science, engineering, and mathematics, while receiving equal pay!
- Beckylee Dell, Front End Web Developer
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What actions do you want to see come to fruition? Let us know in the comments. Together we can start the conversation of how to come #Together4Zero and finally bring an end to extreme poverty.
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