Posted on November 24, 2011 by Clarence Ceniza
With all the world’s distractions and never-ending responsibilities, we sometimes get so caught up in our own worries and personal quests for gratification that we forget to reach out to others.
In a society that has its priorities confused, here are five powerful TEDTalks to remind us of what really matters. Each talk highlights the importance of giving and challenges us to rethink the way we give. It is a fact that life is short, so let us make it count by making a difference with others.
1. Katherine Fulton: You are the future of Philanthropy
In this inspirational talk, Katherine Fulton asks us to imagine ourselves in the future of philanthropy not as a passive observer but as an active participant. While it is easy to revert to a traditional assumption that only the wealthy can make a difference, she offers several examples proving otherwise.
The prevalence of online philanthropy marketplaces offering micro-financing, such as Kiva or GiveIndia, challenges the assumption that organized giving can only be initiated by powerful organizations. She argues that there has never been a point in time when an average individual held as much power as he holds now, referring to the “philanthropy of all of us all†or the “democratization of philanthropyâ€Â.
Many of us are guilty of the cynical mentality that, as a mere individual, we cannot possibly make a difference. But in this highly technological and connected world, each of us is more capable than ever to reach out and help. Through mass collaboration, individuals can be mobilized towards a common cause.
Another common excuse that is particularly fitting in a world currently struggling with economic difficulties is that some of us may not be in the privileged position to offer financial help to others. However, as this talk conveys, regardless who we are or what our economic status is, there is always a way to give. She notes that philanthropy is not necessarily about money. The real essence of philanthropy is in sharing our time and talent, a crucial point that the next talk in the list further illustrates.
Fulton describes the future of philanthropy as one that is open, big, fast, connected and long (in reference to sustainability). Ultimately, her talk reminds us that we have the power to shape our future and change it for the better. I cannot think of anything more reassuring than that.
2. Ben Rigby: Micro-Volunteering – Giving Back for Busy People
Second on our list is Ben Rigby’s talk on micro-volunteering. He shares what I consider to be a perfect example of the “future of philanthropy†as described by Katherine Fulton in the previous talk, only this time, it is a future that has been realized and already in action.
Micro has become a utopian buzzword in a world that is constantly busy and on the move. Rigby concedes that we are living increasingly hectic lives, yet, as he points out using some eye-opening statistics, 24 million hours are spent playing online solitaire and a total of 338 million hours are spent on Facebook, every single day. It is indeed a tremendously large amount of time that could be put to good use. While he does not condemn people spending time tending their virtual crops on online games such as FarmVille, this illustrates the possibility of sparing some of these minutes to contribute to something beyond the virtual world.
This is where micro-volunteering comes in. Defined as philanthropy done in small bits of time, this is the very idea that ignited Rigby’s Sparked.com, an online “micro-volunteering network that allows people to volunteer on-demand and on-the-spot using mobile phones and the Internetâ€Â. The whole idea is to transform volunteerism, making it more:
- convenient, by utilizing devices we already have in our own pockets,
- bite-sized, by taking big projects and splitting them up into manageable pieces allowing us to be able to do significant and fulfilling things in our spare time, and lastly,
- network-managed, which signals the move from the hierarchical, management-model of organizations to a more collaborative network-model which distributes the amount of work across the network and enables peer-review.
Technology, which has always been seen as a double-edged sword, now offers us a redeeming chance to make a big difference, with what little time we have left. Being busy is certainly no longer a valid excuse.
While the cynics in us might scoff at the idea of helping out of convenience, it is a reality that we will have to embrace. Micro-volunteerism, along with micro-financing as discussed in Katherine Fulton’s talk, provides a practical, sustainable alternative and perhaps even serve as a complementary activity to bigger philanthropic endeavors.
3. Sasha Dichter: The Generosity Experiment
Can you say yes to every request for help? In this stimulating talk recorded at NextGen:Charity conference, Acumen Fund’s Business Development Director Sasha Dichter shares his 30-day generosity experiment where he said yes to every person who asked for help. His message is simple: be as generous as you can be.
With his background in fundraising, Dichter observed that we have become too comfortable living within the extremes of the spectrum: with philanthropy on one end, where we give our money in exchange for social change, and the market on the other, where we aim our efforts towards maximized financial returns with little or no regard for social impact. He suggests exploring the space in between, and through his experiment, understood the value of saying yes not just in his personal life but also in the organization that he runs, which continues to lend funds to enterprises that support socially beneficial projects.
The experiment began when he encountered a man on the train who asked him for money. He did what most of us would do and responded with a no, thinking that it was the smart move but later felt that he had done the wrong thing. Compelled to change a habit, he embarked on a month-long experiment of saying yes, to alter his perception on giving.
Like him, I also rarely give to people on the streets thinking that it is more rational and safer to say no and help non-profit organizations instead, that can guarantee where my money goes. However, as Dichter appropriately points out, we have a tendency to hide behind what we think is smart and in end up not necessarily doing what is right.
By saying no, we are cultivating a habit of distrust and are allowing ourselves to be critical and judgmental of people we hardly know. As he perfectly sums up, “no becomes who you are and what you doâ€Â. In the end, the experiment became more than just giving a handout to the man on the street, but cultivated an attitude of generosity.
This talk strongly resonated with me as I, too often, also approach giving with a lot of skepticism for fear of being taken advantage of. We are too focused on doing things with guaranteed, quantifiable results that we are forgetting to consider the fact that the man who just asked for help may genuinely be in need of one. There might be no easy way of finding out where the money that we give goes, but philanthropy, Dichter reminds us, is about taking a leap.
While he does not advocate completely saying yes to everything, at the heart of the experiment is allowing your heart to think first, before your head. So the next time someone asks us for help, let us remind ourselves that a yes opens up opportunities whereas a no marks a dead end. We also have to realize that it is often better to be happy, than to be right.
4. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala: Want to help Africa? Do business here
In this eye-opening talk filmed in 2007, Nigeria’s de facto Prime Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala discusses the state of Africa and stresses that the assistance it really needs from the rest of the world is trade and not aid.
Africa remains home to many of the world’s poorest people and thinking about it easily brings to mind negative images of poverty, conflict and corruption. Okonjo-Iweala does not deny the existence of these things but she also contends that “there’s an Africa that you don’t hear about very much,†one with a lot of promise and where people are looking for partnerships to uplift their lives. Backed by data, along with her personal and professional experience, she paints what seems to be an idealistic picture of Africa and its people.
Africa, she explains, is going through extensive reformation, from economics to politics and pointed out that even the fight against corruption and dictatorship is already raging on. In her talk, Okonjo-Iweala focuses on Nigeria due to the fact that one in four sub-Saharan Africans lives in Nigeria. The country is also witnessing unprecedented liberalization of its markets, which has prompted growth in telecommunications, agriculture, construction, real-estate and financial services. It is a crucial moment in Africa’s history and Okonjo-Iweala calls for those outside the continent to partner with their promising people.
While grateful for charity, Okonjo-Iweala explains that what the people need is the ability to be empowered and be put in charge of their own destinies. “The best way to help Africans today is to help them to stand on their own feet, and the best way to do that is by helping create jobs†she says. While handouts are not necessarily bad, helping people to help themselves has a far more long-lasting effect than the mere act of giving aid.
The theme of philanthropy in this talk may appear too specific as it focuses on Africa alone but the lessons we can learn from it is universal. I selected this talk for the simple reason that it encourages the creation of opportunities, rather than propagating pity. As an overused, but nevertheless appropriate Chinese proverb goes, “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.â€Â
I believe that enabling opportunities, such as trade, encourages people to be more self-sufficient and disciplined. Those who work with borrowed funds are motivated to grow their businesses in order to pay back the loans and consequently, benefit themselves and their community. In the end, it is also a matter of giving them a sense of pride and empowerment, which no money will ever be able to quantify.
5. Jean Oelwang – Stop Saving the World, Start Reinventing
The final talk in the list is a little gem from TEDxOxbridge filmed in July this year. With less than a thousand views on YouTube, this is one talk that deserves to be seen and heard by more people due to the powerful message it carries. While it does not talk about generosity in a generic sense, it offers a different perspective on giving by encouraging us to save the world through reinvention.
As the current Occupy movements sweep the globe, Jane Oelwang’s talk becomes even more relevant and timely, as it deals with the existence of fundamental systems that no longer match the world’s current circumstances. Furthermore, her message also encompasses a wide array of issues, ranging from poverty alleviation to the conservation of the environment. She explains that we are going through a perfect storm of three crises: poverty, financial and environmental.
She believes that businesses, governments and even NGOs have created a system that only traps people in a cycle of poverty. Businesses, for example, are too focused on profit while the governments are preoccupied with short-term votes and are limited by their geographical boundaries. Even the NGOs, which I admittedly find to be a surprising inclusion, apparently puts up a heroic front but does not always scale in terms of efforts and reach.
In addition, the recent financial crisis, according to her, demonstrated not only how interconnected human beings were but also highlighted the inequity in the world, with Wall Street bonuses topping 20 billion dollars in 2009, more than the GDP of 64 individual countries.
We also consume natural resources at a rate far too high than the planet could replenish, which exacerbates the environmental crisis. “What we have done is we have created all these artificial systems where we put consumption as king and we certainly have not put Mother Nature as queen†Oelwang states.
Although her persuasive illustration of the perfect storm results in a rather depressing realization, she does offer a message of hope, citing that there could not have been a more exciting time than now to turn the systems upside down with the technology, tools and intelligence we possess.
She suggests taking businesses and turning them into forces of good. Businesses, can employ hybrid models that will still allow them to generate profit while delivering a tool for people to empower themselves. Today’s “age of radical transparency†is a chance for organizations to relook their models and put people and the environment at the center. The revolutions in the Middle East for instance, highlighted the power of social media and are clear indications that power is shifting. She also calls for the need of a new leadership model, requiring world leaders that are not influenced by their constituencies.
Ultimately, these entail the need to reinvent ourselves and consequently reinvent our world. While these might all seem too idealistic, echoing the questions that have been uttered by various political leaders in the midst of implementing changes: “If not us, who? If not now, when?â€Â
Editor’s Comment: I want to thank Clarence for his thoughful and thought provoking write-up of these wonderful TED Talks. If you are ready to take action and contribute to the world in your own unique way, consider talking to one of our many life coaches who can help you create a plan and hold you accountable to being the change you want to see in the world. Start today! The world is waiting.
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Very interesting to see that innovation goes even where unexpected like in the volunteerism field. Indeed, micro-volunteerism and technology are empowering a new way to give but I feel it is also due to a new philosophy. The three crisis described by Jean Oelwang are even more connecting people because they are basically affecting everyone. So it is not about doing things for others anymore, it is also about giving to sustain our world resilience.
A great article that changes the way we just “share” TED talks by inviting readers to just play the videos. A great conversation.
This is eye-opening! Watching the news day after day and thinking “what can I as a no-one do about it?” finally is answered! Some pioneering work, combining networks and social attitude – I love the idea of micro-volunteering!
At the same time you got it to the point considering Africa: trade instead of aid! I also believe that giving people some cash only makes them feel dependent, whereas giving them jobs makes them proud of what they create. We need to trade and give them the chance to help themselves.
We are all privileged. This is also shown in the last article which reminds me of the Easter Island that was overexploited by its inhabitants and in the end eliminated the whole culture. Resources are endless. Thats a fact. But who would like to live without the high living standard we reached? I am curious how persepctives and behaviors will change in the next 10 years…
Congrats, the author gives an in-depth analysis of something that is usually just consumed, appreciated … and forgotten.
He makes a valid point with his summary: “we sometimes get so caught up in our own worries and personal quests for gratification that we forget to reach out to others”!
From personal experience I know that micro-volunteering in fact can make a difference. Weitblick for example builds schools in developing countries. Compared to World-Bank-projects the work is on a much smaller scale. However, their impact is immense as they can directly change the mindset of all involved volunteers. Step-by-step these volunteers can motivate others to start making a difference.
Anyone out there with further experience?
Maxime: Thanks for the thoughtful comment. That is a good point you raised there. I particularly liked Jean’s talk too for the mere fact that it reminds us that helping others is basically helping ourselves.
Anja: Thanks for the comment. I would also be very curious to find out how our behaviors will change in the next 10 years. I just hope that more people will realize the importance to getting involved in their communities.
Floyd: Thanks Floyd!
Floyd: Hi Floyd, sorry I just received the notification for your second comment. Thanks for sharing that example. It is heartwarming to see such grassroots initiatives flourish, and it makes me even prouder to see the young generation take charge. I do have a personal experience with volunteering having served Blessings in a Bag for over 3 years. I did it alongside my studies and work but eventually had to leave when I moved to the Netherlands (though I still keep in touch with the org). My experience with that organization inspired me a lot and I must say that while giving is primarily meant to impact the lives of the receiver, at the end of the day really, it is the giver whose life is changed the most.
This is very enlightening.There are indeed lots of ways on how to give to others and make a difference in this world. There are lots of people who prioritize work now and say that they will start giving after they retire from work- that is when they grow old. Giving knows no age, nationality, amount or style. Everybody can start giving to other less fortunate people in any which way they can- as long as they do it sincerely, wholeheartedly and selflessly.
This is very motivational..especially for young people like me..Now I have some innovative ideas on how I could give to those in need..
In general I’m a fan of Ted talks. This is a nice selection of some really good speeches and some nice to read summaries!
Clarence,
What you did was reminding us, by using these inspirational videos; one of the most neglected principle, ‘helping those in need.’ I’d like to give you a tap on the back for doing an excellent job, you truly are an advocate for things that are good.
Chinese philosophers like Meng Zi (Mencius) preached that humans by nature are good, and part of that nature, is the ability of man to be aware and sensitive of others’ needs.
Even Kong Zi (Confucius) spoke of a two-fold Golden Rule, which states: “Do unto others what you want others to do unto you” and “Do not do unto others what you do not want others to do unto you.” Analyzing the two, they are somewhat a ‘safe path’ towards self preservation and protection, by abiding by the two, for sure, you’ll enjoy the blessings of receiving only the good things and not receiving the bad ones… BUT ONE THING’s for sure, by abiding by the first one, we’ll be able to make other’s life better and even put smiles on their faces, by abiding by the latter one, we don’t make their lives miserable.
If we are to be productive citizens of our countries and of the world, we should abide by that two-fold Golden Rule… And in every issue that beset others those in need, we should always have a stand and a role, that is, extending a helping hand. Not doing anything to make this world a better place by helping, is a form of neutrality and apathy.
We should always keep in mind the words written by Dante Alighieri centuries ago: “The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who remain neutral in times of moral crisis.” (Some translations use “darkest places in hell”) Truly, human suffering is an issue of moral crisis.
The old fathers of the Church taught that ‘not doing anything to cause something good for others, or not doing anything at all to stop a sinful scenario or a state of helplesness’ is SIN OF OMMISSION…..
TRULY, THIS ARTICLE OF YOURS IS AN ADDED STONE TO BUILD A FINE EDIFICE, AN EDIFICE OF EVERYTHING GOOD AND WORTHWHILE.
GOD BLESS! 🙂
Been immersed into TED Talks for a long while now, and it’s nice to see these inspiring bits compiled in one article. Each video has a point to share, but I especially found micro-volunteering a great new idea. And thanks for the insightful views, Clarence. You clearly show that helping out is about changing social attitudes; which a farther goal than just getting the information out. 🙂
Deng: Very well said, thanks for the comment. I think giving allows you to make room (whether physical, emotional or psychological) for things to come.
Isie: I’m glad it inspires you. I do think that the habit of generosity should be cultivated early. In fact, that’s something that most parents teach their kids, to “share”. This reminds me of a little experiment conducted by a Spanish NGO called Action Against Hunger, where they investigated how two kids would react if they are seated at a table with two plates, but only one of the plates have food on it. (You can check out the video here). As kids, we’re normally generous, but growing up we become more cynical and suspicious of other people which often prevents us from giving. (see the third video in my list).
Nick: Hi Nick, I am too (obviously, ;)) and I am glad you like the selection. Thanks for reading!
@Clarence: Interesting observation and nice article about the things we can learn from kids.
And oh, Mommy Deng (who left her comment above) says she agrees with you!
Tyrone: Thanks for the kind words and that well thought out comment. I liked that you highlighted the two-fold golden rule, you are absolutely spot on. Both statements are basically two sides of the same coin.
“If we are to be productive citizens of our countries and of the world, we should abide by that two-fold Golden Rule… And in every issue that beset others those in need, we should always have a stand and a role, that is, extending a helping hand. Not doing anything to make this world a better place by helping, is a form of neutrality and apathy.”
Very well said! Not doing anything to harm others is not enough when you are not doing anything to help them either. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Anna: Thanks Anna. I’m still yet to find anyone who dislikes TEDTalks. TED is such a powerful initiative. 🙂
This is something nice to read, just in time for the Christmas Season.
I believe in what Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said, “The best way to help Africans today is to help them to stand on their own feet, and the best way to do that is by helping create jobsâ€Â. Although it’s centered in Africa, this is something that we can apply here in the PH. When I help others, I make sure that it goes a long way and that it leaves an impact on them by motivating them to do something for themselves.
BTW, micro-volunteering is something new. Thanks for writing about it. 😀
Very nice. I for one am a cynic when it comes to helping others.
This post opened my eyes a teensy bit. Thanks, Clarence.
Thanks KC and Felipe!
I love the “Generosity Experiment” portion of this article. Yes, nowadays its really hard to determine who really needs help because I know there’s a lot of people who uses the money for something else. But the point is, decide wisely. Also, I learned that it is always better to give food AND information about the places people could go to get more help.
Micro-Volunteering~~~ this one rocks! 🙂
“Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.”-Mark Twain
Naomi: Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Interesting suggestions. That’s a very nice Mark Twain quote too. 🙂
Dear Clarence,
I really enjoyed reading your post; it is a very eloquently written article about a very important social issue. An essential point you make is that giving to those in need is not only about giving financial aid–donating time and energy is just as important. Sasha Dichter donated money during his generosity experiment, but a good way to “ease into†being generous would be to offer to carry heavy groceries home for someone elderly. Even something as simple as giving up your seat on the bus to someone who would appreciate it can make a huge impact. Simple kindness to a stranger may inspire them to offer further kindness to others, and if one things leads to another, there is no end to the good that can be done, both at home and worldwide.
In response to Floyd (with Weitblick), I think that is a great initiative to be involved in. Building schools in developing countries has an enormous, long-term impact, which can improve countless lives. When I was in high school, we held fundraisers for the “Send a Cow†organization, to provide livestock and other farming goods to families in need in Africa. As part of our fundraising, we spoke at the elementary and middle schools in the area, and had these students think of their own ways to raise funds. By including these younger students, we were able to significantly increase both the awareness of and the funds raised for the cause. Both Send a Cow and Weitblick offer support to those in need by providing more than just cash–they provide sustainable resources and the opportunity to improve lives through learning and development. This idea was conveyed very well by Prime Minister Okonjo-Iweala in her talk and by you in your article–growth and self-sustainability is more important to long-term survival (and prosperity) than one-time cash handouts could ever be.
Thank you for writing about such a vital issue, and for simply reminding your readers about the importance of reaching out and helping those in need.
This article strengthens my desire to someday build a social enterprise. It also affirms that I made the right choice in deciding to actively seek out, switch to and support products of social enterprises as a way of giving back. Good job in putting these TED talks together, truly inspirational!
Clarence, thank you for sharing this. I used to give my pocket money to the handicapped on the streets or beggars in the metro, but maybe because I was in China, there’re just too many people to help. And after my parents and friends kept telling me it’s stupid to do so because we have heard too many news about how are those people manipulated by some “evil” organizations, i just gave up. But this article actually makes me realized that there are plenty ways to help, as long as I still want to.
Jessie: Hi Jessie, thanks for the kind words and the detailed comment. Credit goes to TED and the speakers in these videos. I was merely inspired by their message. It’s great to hear about your personal experience too with giving/volunteering, “Send a Cow” is a wonderful project. You are absolutely right that the best gifts are those that are sustainable.
Ada: Thank you. I’m very happy to hear that and keep up the great work! Perhaps you should submit a guest post here about your experience with the switch to social enterprise products as a form of giving. 🙂
Dan: Hey Dan, thanks for the comment. Like you, I often feel really sad too thinking about how impossible it is to help everyone, because there are billions of people out there in need… but I guess if we can make a difference in at least one person’s life… and everyone else does the same… then it becomes a collective effort with a bigger impact.
Impressive selection of TED talks to highlight the value of micro-volunteer-ism. An interesting example of network-managed micro-philanthropy that can be seen by cyber-users is the Wikipedia-donation. Despite the end usage of the same being not at the same level of philanthropic help to the needy, it gives us a live example of the working of micro-volunteer-ism.
Very well written Clarence! I’m proud to announce here that we’re friends and that we’ve rubbed elbows once in our lives. Haha.
But seriously, I think beyond the aim of presenting a great selection of TED talks, you’re article exudes empowerment. It urges the readers to be active agents of change, believing and building on the smallest capacities of individuals to not only give but also reach out, share, act, invent something new and sustainable and ultimately help those in need and most vulnerable, especially at this day and age where indifference reign and everyone’s comfortable seated in front of their computers planting trees in their farms (as if that would help solve our environmental problems and climate change). Yes, it cannot be denied that technology has become a part of our lives, but as mentioned, that doesn’t excuse us from taking concrete actions to change and transform the status quo of our actions based on ‘what we have been used to’ or ‘what has been expected of us.’ I for one am guilty of automatically blurting out ‘no’ every time a random person asks for donation or money. My mind would always assess whether s/he is in the right age and/or is physically capable of finding a decent job other than begging. If s/he is, then I say no a bit louder. When s/he is not, I still say no but only by shaking my head to imply a negative response. I say no because as a taxpayer, I expect the government to be working their ass off to provide the needs of its citizens. But that’s behaving based on the status quo. I say no based on what I expect of others’ actions – from the government and from the capacity of the person seeking help. Following Fulton, such response is just a passive way of addressing the issue and passive is synonymous to boring. I wouldn’t consider myself one! Hehe. The active way of dealing with the situation is to move away from external expectations and use whatever it is you have (and believe that you always have), no matter how big or small it is, to start change.
Gopher: Hi Gopher, thanks for sharing your thoughts. You are actually right, Wikipedia is a great example of microvolunteerism/collaboration that Katherine Fulton is referring to. Even though it may not be “philanthropic” per se, I think it fosters the spread of information, which is still giving…not of money, but of education. 🙂
Claire: Dear Claire, thanks for commenting and I appreciate the encouraging words. I think the great thing about these talks is that we can all relate to it one way or another, especially with Dichter's story. We've all been in his shoes, which should give us more reason to understand that we need to be more actively involved. "…use whatever it is you have (and believe that you always have), no matter how big or small it is, to start change." I don't think there's any more I can add, you said it wonderfully.
I love Ted talks, they are so inspiring. This is a nice selection.
TedTalks are a superb medium for exchange information and ideas. I loved your summary of the 5 best ‘giving’ talks, thanks.
I particularly enjoyed the ‘trade’ and not ‘aid’ bit.
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