HourChallenge

This fascinating lecture by Hans Rosling, a Global health expert and data visionary, dispels some of the current myths about the “so-called” developing world.  He argues quite effectively that all nations are moving toward better health, lower mortality rates and increased living standards.  He argues that sub-Saharan Africa has possibly made the best progress toward health and better living standards.

Now, I think we need to be careful with this kind of data.  Being on the right track does not mean we sit back and allow millions of Africans die needlessly while we wait for the inevitable.  What Rosling’s data doesn’t show (in my opinion) is that we now have the opportunity to eliminate poverty that kills due to better technology, information and resources.

This data is encouraging, but does not compel me to sit back and wait for better times in Africa.  Rather, it encourages me that “the seemingly impossible is possible”.