BRAC

I have to admit I really like those videos listed on blackboard. I found the achievements showcased in the BRAC video to be very inspiring. It was impressive as not only did BRAC have the insight that to create local level education programs focusing on women and children would alleviate the issue, but they have created a self-sustaining organization that embraces several business ventures. The size and sustainability they have afforded themselves is a testament that organizations can be successful if they make smart decisions, with so many organizations out there plagued by erred beliefs and graft, it almost makes one think it was impossible.

Catching Up...

It was just recently reported the Indonesian government has started to withhold sharing Bird Flu samples with such organizations as WHO in light of a new business deal with US owned pharmaceutical company, Baxter International. Though WHO has expressed they fully support the right of Indonesia and any other country to pursue an agreement with a vaccine company, we as a collective are left to wonder what implications this will have in securing the safety of the global community. Baxter International has gone on the record to state they do not have an exclusive agreement with the Indonesian government, so I wonder what prompted the sudden stinginess? Is it necessary to withhold such pertinent material from the public sector? The Indonesian government states they may make samples available in the future, but what affects will this have on our ability to prepare for pandemics when virus surveillance is so hindered? Such behavior seems a little myopic and selfish...