Unite for Sight

Last weekend I trekked up to northern california for this international health conference (http://uniteforsight.org/) that focused on eye diseases, but really covered a whole range of pertinent issues.  I was reminded of why I studied biology, and why I'm now studying international development, and that I love the intersect of the two.

Among the things I learned:

Americans consume 800 kg of grain each year, while Europeans consume 400kg, and Indians only 200kg.  Why?  Yeah, we eat a lot in general, but mostly it's because of MEAT.  It takes a lot of grain to feed a cow.  This is not to suggest we all immediately turn to vegetarianism; rather, Dr. Robert Lawrence suggested we become more aware of how what we're eating really does effect global food supply.   

  On to composting toilets.  Dr. Kramer did her research on ecological sanitation in Haiti, where only 16% of the population has access to toilets, and human waste runs off into water sournces (along with the topsoil of its deforested landscape).  Here is one model she suggested.  Basically, we provide the fertilizer for a tree that can then be planted once the hole fills up.  Yes!

Even Solar Cookers presented us with a workshop on water pasteurization.  So much money and time is spent every day collecting firewood.  I saw this in Burkina all the time.  Women going further into the depths of the bush as the year went on, chopping branches with their machetes.  While they enjoy these social outings, it is also very tiring.  So, deforestation...or the sun?  It's something I'd like to experiment more with.

What I was most impressed with was the intelligence and compassion with which all these professors and researchers presented.  I'm not surprised that at Fuller we are taught a people-centered approach to development that goes against much of mainstream economic development.  But I was surprised that a conference at Stanford would promote similar views.  Very pleasently surprised : )    

Comments

[Frank Devlyn]

Dear Daph

Looked at your blog to see comments about Blindness Prevention since I am going to Unite for Sight to be a speaker at Yale in three weeks in New Haven for their annual event.
Seeing you are interested in International Development let me suggest you look into joining a Rotaract Club for persons from 18 to 30 as I believe you are in that group. Young adults also can belong to a Rotary Club. Info at www.Rotary.org and www.FrankTalkBooks.com

All the best,

Frank Devlyn
Past President of Rotary International

[katrina]

Hi,

I was just browsing through your pictures, and they are absolutely gorgeous. Just wondering, what type of camera do you use? I'm studying abroad next semester and would love to get a really great camera.

Thanks,
Katrina

[Alex]

hey dalph,

Wonder how the world seem to be perveted with deadly diseases all over coupled with abject poverty and little is being done by the government to totally eradicate or at least bring succour to the afflicted......

[a-dog]

Very, very interesting. I'm constantly reminded of the importance of awareness - I wanna help! : ) Of course, we gots to figure out how to apply it, too. Hmmm...

[jlo]

hey daph-
looks like it was interesting. i think a few people from downstate (my school in ny) went to this conference. rock on