What to donate for? SE-Trends fundraising campaign
As in previous years, SE-Trends is donating to a good cause. In recent years, the donation has gone to the Ocean Cleanup project. But this year the money is going to a different project.
Please vote by January 15, 2024!
Donations instead of Christmas cards
Until a few years ago, I, or rather my company, had Formal Mindsent out hundreds of Christmas cards. Some people were certainly pleased to receive them, but many cards probably went straight into the waste paper. That's why we've been making donations instead of buying stamps for several years now.
But what to donate to? This year you voted:
The donation goes to:
Would you donate to a different cause or organization? Then write in the comments which one and why
Environment: Effectiveness by focusing on a clearly defined problem
In the In the past, we had for the Ocean Cleanup project donated. This project is close to my heart for several reasons: firstly, as a systems engineer, I like a technical project that deals with a complex system (the world's oceans). The topic of environmental pollution is an important one in itself. I also want to support the next generation. The project was founded by Boyan Slat, who has already gave a TEDx talk on this topic at the age of 17 held.
The Ocean Cleanup (teamseas)
The Ocean Cleanup aims to collect plastic waste in the oceans. The project was launched in 2013 by the organization founded for this purpose. It involves a collection system that autonomously collects plastic waste in the ocean. Since 2015, the organization has also been working on a cleaning system for rivers. More than 90 employees now work for the organization.
The project is also a possible candidate for donations this year. However, as we have so many other problems in the world at the moment, I would like to offer alternatives:
Peace: finding common ground solves conflicts at the root
The Ukarine and Israeli conflicts are the most visible to us at the moment, but by no means the only ones in the world. Due to a larger world population and the nature of the conflicts, there are also More and more people affected by conflicts.
I am therefore reluctant to donate to a particular conflict. And even if I personally think it is right to give weapons to Ukraine, for example, this is not a long-term solution for peace. We can only achieve peace if we resolve the cause of the conflict. That's why Search for Common Ground is a candidate for donations.
Search for Common Ground
Search for Common Ground is committed to ending violent conflict and building healthy, safe and just societies. It was founded in 1982 and is the largest organization of its kind. Examples of the organization's work include supporting elections after the civil war in Liberia and Sierra Leone, or a television program on gender norms in Nepal that reaches 25 percent of the population. Search was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2018.
Education: A complex world needs properly educated children
I'm a big fan of tackling problems at their root, i.e. tackling the cause, not the symptom. Education is one of those issues that can have a big impact in the long term, both positive and negative. That's why I think a good education, especially for children, is essential.
There are many organizations in this sector. I find Childhood Education International impressive because it has always stood up for its principles.
Childhood Education International
Childhood Education International (formerly ACEI) is a global community of educators and advocates who promote desirable conditions, programs and practices for children from infancy through adulthood. Founded in 1892, the organization provided much support during the Depression and World Wars. As early as 1949, the organization fought back against segregation in the United States. The 2017 created International Principles of Practice for Educators (IPPE) are designed to enable educators to respond to the complexity of raising children in this rapidly changing world.
And what about...?
There are so many issues that we can donate to:
- Health, also in view of the corona pandemic that has just been overcome, is important
- Hungeris an issue that has become increasingly urgent. After many years in which the number of hungry people has fallen, it is now on the rise again.
- Justice is a very difficult topic because the world is extremely unfair and it is not clear what the best starting point is. I think equal opportunities is a better word, which is why I listed education as a topic above.
What would you donate to?
Please vote above and help us decide which cause we should donate to. And if your favorite charity is not included, just write your opinion in the comments.
