I've been looking through responses to TEDxChange and want to explain why we tell success stories.
It's easy to think that nothing is changing in the poorest parts of the world, that no progress is being made. But the facts show there has been real and dramatic progress -- whether it's the declining number of child deaths globally, the advances made against AIDS, or the halving of malaria deaths in several countries -- especially over the past decade.
I believe that sharing stories of success is one of the most important things we can do to motivate and inspire governments, partners and individuals to support investing in effective development aid.
When Bill and I travel, we have been deeply touched by personal stories of lives changed for the better. We see great things happening on the ground -- lives being saved, diseases prevented, and people lifting themselves and their communities out of poverty.
That's why I'm sharing stories through events like TEDxChange, and also through the upcoming Living Proof event on October 18th. Together with our partners, we want to get these stories out and inform the conversation around global health and development investments.
Living Proof is about telling the real story of the incredible progress being achieved by people in developing countries, backed by the support of governments like ours.
With Living Proof, we're asking people to celebrate -- and share -- stories of those who are achieving success. Bill and I will be sharing more about Living Proof in the next couple of weeks.
Real lives. Real progress. Living Proof.
More to Explore
The ONE Campaign
TEDxChange
Join ONE and Bill and Melinda Gates for a live webcast of their Living Proof presentation
Originally posted on the Gates Foundation blog.