The Big Boys tackle world problems

On June 16, 2006 Bill Gates announced that he would continue in a part-time role within Microsoft to start focusing on a full-time career in philanthropy by July 2008. A few days later, Buffett one of the wealthiest people in the world, announced that he would begin matching the Gates' contribution to the Gates Foundation. It's an astonishing amount of up to $1.5 billion per year in stock.

Bill Clinton, previous President of the US, although not wealthy in the sense of Gates and Buffett, has started the Clinton Foundation. What Clinton can bring to the Big Boys' Club are his connections. Watch Bill Clinton speak at TED on his vision for world change. His Foundation has a special focus on health, leadership development, economic empowerment and reconciliation across racial, ethnic and religious borders.

Richard Branson, founder and big chief at Virgin, has been involved in humanitarian initiatives since the late 1990s. With activist Peter Gabriel he discussed with South Africa's Nelson Mandela the concept of a group of dedicated leaders working towards solving difficult global conflicts. Mandela announced the formation of this group, The Elders, during his recent 89th birthday celebration. Desmond Tutu will serve as the chair.

There are many more. Al Gore has created a huge awareness of environmental issues. George Soros, another super wealthy individual, has decided to attach himself to this campaign. He is of the opinion that the US, Europe, India and China must be the quartet that handles climate change. The UN moves too slowly.

Companies are now jumping on board the movement to change the world. It is becoming the business of world improvement. Amongst the big boys are Siemens, BP, Ikea, Walt Disney, Wal-Mart and many more. The cynic might say that shareholders demand social investment now. Let's not knock it. whatever the reason, all efforts at promoting social responsibility must be encouraged.

What will these individuals and organisations achieve that the world has failed at so far? The billions of Pounds, Dollars or Euros in aid that have been pumped into areas such as Africa, parts of South America, Asian countries such as Bangladesh, have not brought the relief that was aimed at. Child mortality through disease and hunger is higher than before. Clean water to every person is still a pipe dream. The end of abject world poverty as was determined to happen by 2015 is nowhere in sight.

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