God, AIDS, Africa & HOPE

Reflections / Gedanken

07/01/2025 • 2:09 pm Comments Off on Drama, trauma and hope …

Drama, trauma and hope …

Much is written in our days about the cut down on foreign aid in the budgets of giver countries. There is a new sensitivity towards these cuts after USAID and PEPFAR were practically shut down in a moment’s time. Millions in developing countries will fall victim to those cuts, with deadly consequences. In a time when trillions of Euros and Dollars are spent on weaponry and tools to kill and destroy, the imbalance is visible and can’t even been covered and made invisible by the hardcore right-wing political tendencies the world experience.

But it would be very shortsighted to see only the drama and call for more aid without seeing the imbalances of money, skills, opportunities on the planet. It would be shortsighted to see all the drama without seeing the shortcomings of many developing countries ruled by single-handed power and greed. And it would be shortsighted without seeing the drama and trauma of social-political developments in the USA, where politics is turned into a cult-like mass phenomenon and similar tendencies rise in Europe and around the world. Real democracy has to pull up its sleeves to show what it is capable of and what values remain important.

But there is more: We have to see the current situation also as a chance to create better conditions for humanity and environment. The current situation is a wake-up call not to be missed in economical, but also political and social terms.

One of the calls is certainly for Europe to stand up and find its rightful place – and it will definitely fall short if it betrays its values or tries to negotiate the unnegotiable connected to it.

The wake-up call clearly also stipulates to have a deep reflection about our neighbours and the possibilities they pose. For Europe, the neighbouring continent of Africa has certainly all the ingredients of becoming in the future one of the most close ally. It holds the future in so many ways – notwithstanding all the problems and challenges it has to overcome. And instead of looking like the rabbit towards the snake in direction USA or China, we should start building up a much more beneficial win-win situation between the two continents. Creating value chains together, investing in the continent, share training and education and abolish the last colonialist tendencies still present in our days.

Looking at the USA, another conundrum is definitely the question of how to limit the influence of money on politics in the real sense of the word. Oligarchs and multi-billionaires should be limited in their ability to overrule democracy and its mechanism or to ignore/rewrite the rule of law due to undue influence. We need to reflect and to come up with rules and values serving more than just those who made it by luck, inheritance or using the system cleverly. The current “big beautiful bill” discussed in the US Senate is a showcase of how things can go wrong.

Once again: taking the current situation as a chance and the wake-up call will not take away the death and destructions we witness in our days. It will remain more than a scar in the skin of humanity and a clear defeat of its values and responsibilities. It is terrible! But in every situation there remains also the hope to learn out of it and to allow for progress and a dignified future. Democracy in different forms and shapes and a basic value system should be the framework for such a joined way

NGOs can be very flexible vehicles to support a way forward which balance the imbalance and to allow also Europe and Africa to grow. They are entrepreneurial in nature, and they have a lot to say and to contribute to politics, social questions and economy. They often consist of a pool of people from different walks of life and traditions – being able to show how a win-win situation is achieved. Alone for that very reason, the proposed cuts of development money in Europe remain short-sighted and plainly wrong!

Filed under: Africa, General, Politics and Society, Reflection, SA-German Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Society and living environment, South Africa, vocational training, , , , , , , , , , ,

02/07/2025 • 9:15 am Comments Off on We can’t deny…

We can’t deny…

We can’t deny that times has changed dramatically, looking at the USA. And those changes are impacting globally not only politics and economy but also the NGO world. The coup from above by wealthy people promoting a clear white fascistoid Christian ideology and voted in by a majority of those who went to cast their vote in the USA is a threat to all, NGOs are standing for in the world.

Ceasing the work of UNAIDS, threatening international courts, leaving what tries to keep countries together in health and human rights, spells also the end of a government by the people for the people. In a world so connected, the “America first” ideology becomes a synonym for a rule determined to ignore all developments in international law, shared values, human rights and human dignity. This is a coup which is not different to those in any African country – only this time not from those suppressed or marginalised. One can only hope that the legal structures of the USA hold tight.

Elon Musk, showing the typical signs of high intelligence and madness at the same time, is more than halfway already in a position through his Starlink to switch on / off the world as he pleases. This creates another danger of note.

Disruptions are good and necessary at times, but when the balance costs lives and threaten entire social contracts without a fair and feasible alternative, it becomes a very dangerous game. The prospect of trade wars, the cutting off of weaker states – with or without the threat of violence – enters then also the realm of NGOs trying often to fill the gaps left by governments. They are part of the social and political fabric of countries. There is a clear line between forging new and enhanced structures serving societies and humanity, or bullying people into submission under political power and wealth without end.

We can’t deny that when times change so dramatically, there are also opportunities. Disruption creates and partly forces new pathways of thinking and action. And this applies in the current situation, specially to Europe and Africa.

The times when we can rely on the USA are gone, and we don’t have to go into detail about China and its politics. The natural partners and neighbours are Europe and Africa. And even if we still have to continue looking into the past, there is the urgent need to look at a joined future. Africa will become a powerhouse of economy and consume in the future, and we have to prepare for it: Europeans have to understand that only importing workers into Europe will not be the solution. Africans have to understand that the role they will have to play means serious soul-searching and the ceasing of asking for hand-outs. The economic sector and NGOs together should drive development on all necessary levels, supported by those in political power.

The current drama holds the opportunity for Europe to revisit with whom it really wants to walk into the future socially and economically on the long term run. It does not mean to abandon relationships with the USA and China, but it means to balance it much more and to realise, that Africa offers 54 countries to partner with. And there are all different in so many ways, as is European countries’ history with them.

Africa has without doubt its own challenges – and there are many. Climate change will add complications to those, and hard and structured work is needed to counter them all. The way forward will not be easy, because it will mean to change the mindset of many on both continents. We have to start working on it now. We owe it to the next generations in Africa and Europe.

Filed under: Africa, Networking, Politics and Society, Reflection, Society and living environment, Uncategorized, , , , , , , , , , , ,

11/13/2024 • 9:10 am Comments Off on Opportunities Amid Global Challenges

Opportunities Amid Global Challenges

The world is changing rapidly; not only in technology, but those who say world developments follow a sinus curve will notice that after years embracing a global world we suddenly are confronted with narrow-minded political leaders, partly drifting into the right-wing fascistic corner. USA, Israel, Hungary are certainly frontrunner in this game. This adds another layer to the anyhow complicated world where more and more people seemingly are marred by anxiety and fear in terms of their future. Fearful people love easy answers where the circle closes and populists win and start doing damage.

This sounds pretty negative but looking at the situation and giving up would defy the purpose of this blog entry. It’s the opposite: Times of transformation and hardship, times of challenges and outright human craziness, are times for opportunities.

The opportunity to see the situation and the world as is in reality – not as I wish for. The opportunity to see where systems are not coping any more and structures crumble under the new challenges. It is also the time when people rise to the occasion one would have never imagined they would do.

And it is the time for NGO’s to close ranks and to create synergies, carrying those who normally are loser in such transitions through those times.
NGO’s can keep humanity and common sense alive while politics spins out of control. They are the pointing finger that at the end, it’s about people and humanity, and not about power for some either connected or rich wannabe leaders.

NGO’s working globally together will keep the vision of human rights and human dignity alive. And those supporting the work done are contributing to this important work – especially in times like ours. And here we are at another important truth: NGO work needs support – needs the support of people but also from the economic sector. Another important synergy between the non-profit world and companies will be essential. It will be their cooperation on many levels which will at the end also shape the world.

So no, there is no time for giving up nor letting some self-absorbed and self-styled populists or the current anxiety of people and societies overcome the efforts of remaining open to life, open to dignity and humanity for all. Including the care for the environment, which can only be done as a global effort.

Filed under: Africa, HOPE Cape Town Association & Trust, HOPE Cape Town Trust, HOPE Cape Town USA, Networking, Politics and Society, Reflection, Society and living environment, South Africa, The Nex - Indawo Yethu, Uncategorized, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

07/12/2024 • 11:14 am Comments Off on NGO’s in the times of madness

NGO’s in the times of madness

Watching news in our days is not for the faint-hearted. Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan are reminding us every day on the brutality of life. The current storms in the Western Cape, the early hurricane season and the heat-waves are making it very clear that nature was not a top priority for human mankind – and that we have to catch up to survive. Politically the drama around the US election, the strengthening of right-wing and fascistoid political forces in Europe, only topped by the semi-religious authoritarian white macho cult around the man, who claims to make America great again questions the well-being of democratic systems. African countries continue to have their very own challenges.

It seems that after the pandemic and all the shutdowns with their often nonsensical rules have created a deep mistrust into politics and triggered the yearning for simple black and white solutions.

But not only that: it becomes more and more difficult to determine what is right and wrong. One could for example that the impression that bombing a school or a hospital has different moral implications depending on who fires them in a war. Looking at the reporting of the wars in Gaza and Ukraine, the ambivalence of reporting and making ethical judgements on the terror, people have to endure becomes visible. It becomes very confusing – even on a sub-conscience level – and this created another grounds for the liking of black/white solutions.

If you look at all the crisis – one of the consistencies you will see is the work of NGO’s. If there are real and legit, they don’t follow politics and public opinion, but they see the person as a human being, they see the victim of unrest, the victim of social disadvantage, the situation of helplessness – and they care, they walk with the people, they change the perception of people being causalities to being again a human being.

How much more suffering would we see if brave doctors and medical staff of non-governmental organisations would not dare to stay in Gaza, knowing that their life is on the line?
How much more suffering would we see if NGO’s in Europe would not organise assistance into Ukraine?

But we don’t have to go to extreme situations.

Looking at the HIV pandemic in South Africa around 2000 – what would it have looked without NGO’s at the forefront of assisting those living with HIV – even going to court to force government to stop the neglect they defended till it was legally not possible any more?

Looking at Covid, but also at the continuous challenge of poverty unemployment, GBV, refugees… You name it. It is the NGO sector and civil society keeping often situations from collapsing into chaos. It is the grounded work of small and big role-players in this sector doing so.

Looking again at the bigger picture, one can observe that especially authoritarian regimes like to prohibit NGOs, especially when they are receiving international funding. Russia and Egypt are two examples, you hear now also such suggestions even from a certain part of USA politics.

Obviously, NGO’s also have black sheep in their midst and not seldom, ideologists and fundamentalists as well as lobbyists create NGO’s to hide their intentions. Those attempts undermine the work of true NGO’s, and it seems to be difficult in our digital age and time to determine on first sight, which organisation is legit with no hidden agenda. Sometimes only time will tell.

But at the end, we all should realise the importance of the small and big, the local, national and international non-governmental organisations keeping the balance and contributing to our society in a way, people often not realise. They also remind us about our own humanity in the times of madness.

Filed under: Networking, Politics and Society, Reflection, Society and living environment, , , , , , , , , ,

12/15/2023 • 9:14 am Comments Off on Struggle of fundraising in our times…

Struggle of fundraising in our times…

Focusing on marketing and fundraising for the organisation HOPE Cape Town in South Africa, I had the pleasure – if it is a pleasure – to travel between three continents this year again, trying to find, reach and convince people in the USA, South Africa and European countries to support our holistic approach.

It is generally not an easy task, but the world is currently so much up-side-down, that the challenges seem to grow every day. It becomes a minefield, not only, because of money being diverted for current affairs but also as ideology, insecurity and anxiety are more than ever factors of life.

Gaza and Israel, it seems that you have to put every word on the golden scale to not offend but toe the line to stand on the right side – whatever that may be. Looking at the human factor without politics, as NGO’s do, is a difficult option as you’re directly under general suspicion of supporting terror.

The war in Ukraine means fundraising for people in a country, in which the leadership without any shame stands with the aggressor and pretends to be neutral.

South Africa’s grey listing and constant corruption on the highest levels are often points of debates with funders. They believe that South Africa has enough resources if and when the elite stops stealing money.

The USA is currently in an epic battle when it comes to democracy and a hotbed for the attempt to mix white superior religion, clearly visible in proclaiming a certain candidate a Godsend. Not to forget, a leader of the House who has direct conversations with God and is not the new Moses. In some states, history is rewritten and books are banned again. Not really an ideal environment to discuss support for people in South Africa.

Generally, Covid and the restrictions seem to have a profound effect on people, who felt that the security and safety their life was build on, was gone in seconds. It shows still today in actions, reactions and behaviour.

Business people in Germany, but generally in Europe, are more than worried about the current economic situation in the country and the direction, they are taken by those politically in charge.

All this impacts the world of fundraising a great deal, it makes it perfectly clear, that depending on donations alone is not sufficient for the long run. NGO’s like companies have to build up and maintain a reserve like any other companies if they want to survive long term and meaningfully.

It also makes it necessary to speak with people face to face – not FaceTime, not zoom or teams. Those can be interim measures to keep contact, but the person encounter is in times like ours the most essential part of fundraising.

The need to navigate between the world of possible funders and the reality of the recipients becomes more tricky as sensitivities and anxieties looking at the future reign high.

All this makes the work of NGOs like HOPE Cape Town even more important, because the victims of all the political, social and economic turbulence are those anyhow at the bottom of society. Those who lost out by birth are loosing again. NGOs are the lifeline to survive and even to grow under these circumstances.

We as NGOs need, besides the normal donation also people who want their support working for years to come. We need people investing in the future of others long-term, and so becoming role models for the next generation they helped to form and sustain.

Not only that, but we need this support to be able to stand firm in our support for human dignity and human rights declared for everybody. There are shifts of proportion happening now when it comes to demography, political influence, economic powers. NGOs are essential in those times, balancing what often is overlooked in daily struggles on the world stage. A reason more to support, sustain and to invest in the non-governmental sphere of society.

www.hopecapetown.org

Filed under: Africa, HOPE Cape Town Trust, HOPE Cape Town USA, HOPE Gala Dresden, Politics and Society, Reflection, Society and living environment, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Blog Categories

Follow God, AIDS, Africa & HOPE on WordPress.com

You can share this blog in many ways..

Bookmark and Share

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 2,711 other subscribers

Translation – Deutsch? Française? Espanol? …

The translation button is located on each single blog page, Copy the text, click the button and paste it for instant translation:
Website Translation Widget

or for the translation of the front page:

* Click for Translation

Copyright

© Rev Fr Stefan Hippler and HIV, AIDS and HOPE.
Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Rev Fr Stefan Hippler and HIV, AIDS and HOPE with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

This not withstanding the following applies:
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.