1Goal - Social Justice

Isn’t the 1Goal campaign just marvelous. Apparently, spawned in the euphoria of South Africa’s successful hosting of the World Cup, the world appears to have woken up to the idea that we need to consider others who are less fortunate. See: - http://www.join1goal.org/.

So we are being asked, cajoled, implored, urged, encouraged … to join hands and commit to ensuring that at least 70 million disadvantaged children are educated by 2015. And, quite rightly, it is receiving massive support with many film stars adding their voice.

IGoal targets our social conscience. It is a noble campaign. Its objective is social justice. 

M (my friend for Mars) agrees that it must be supported. However, he has a query.

“These cars you have …” he muses ….

“Oh” I reply, “great invention …we are so proud of them”.

“But they kill and maim millions of human beings every day” M replies “the second biggest world pandemic after HIV/Aids”.

He goes on to point out that as early as 1994 the whole world committed to a United Nations resolution to address the problem as a matter of urgency. However, apart for a few countries like New Zealand, Namibia, Botswana and South Africa, little or nothing is being done about the pandemic.

“So, you leave hundreds of millions of  mostly poor and innocent road crash victims, being passengers or pedestrians, to fight for compensation from the rich insurers of the guilty drivers?” M says sternly “it is massive social injustice!. And the UN does nothing about its own resolutions?”

I have to agree. It is all set out at: - http://www.roadcrashvictimsmanagement.com/.

“The world is fighting so hard as regards HIV/AIDS and many are acclaimed, lauded and lionized for the work they do in this field. But as regards the second biggest pandemic – the plight of road crash victims – complete paralyses!?” M goes on to lament. “Why … why the paralyses about such obvious human suffering and social injustice … costing some countries more than their total aid budget?”

“Perhaps” he concludes sternly “the reason is that, unlike 1Goal and HIV/AIDS issues, vested interests will be affected if you intervene on behalf of poor victims … so the interests of big business always seem to come first on your planet!”

Hmnnn … another inconvenient truth …????