WELCOME
Welcome to the third issue of the Millennium Development Goals Awareness Project (MDGAP) e-newsletter! We’re excited about the possibility of bringing you information once a month about progress that is being made on the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) around the globe, relevant volunteer and other opportunities, and upcoming MDGAP events.

FEATURED ARTICLE
by Jin Hoe NG, Senior, Finance, Investment and Banking

SUSTAINABLE FARMING IN THE CITY
Many of us have heard of the phrase “Sustainable Agriculture” before, but how many of us have really understood it? More importantly, do you know how to build a sustainable farm? Seeing the importance of this form of farming, Growing Power, a national non-profit organization, has taken the responsibility of providing hands-on training, on-the-ground demonstration, and technical assistance to society, all in the name of helping people grow, process, market and distribute food in a sustainable manner.

In line with sustainable agriculture, Growing Power, headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is currently pursuing an aquaponics farm project and vermicompost project. In their aquaponics project, crops and fish (tilapia or Yellow Perch, for their easy marketability) are grown together in a two-level recirculating system. At the bottom level, the fish are raised and, after using bacteria to break down the toxic ammonia in fish waste to nitrate, the water is pumped up to the next level to provide the crops with a natural source of nutrients. The cycle repeats itself, and costs almost nothing to run.

In another project, Growing Power uses vermicompost, or worm compost, to create nutrient rich, organic fertilizer and soil. In a bin, red worms are allowed to process partially decomposed compost and turn it into nutrient rich soil within 12 week. The soil is later used in growing bins or fed to the fish, for a truly sustainable system.

For more information on Growing Power or to set up a tour visit: http://www.growingpower.org/Index.htm.

CONGRATULATIONS EWB!
The UW-Madison Engineers Without Borders (EWB), a MDGAP partner, recently received a prestigious UN Award for $22,400 for their work on a hydroelectric power generator in Haiti. “The award is a UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) and Daimler initiative to recognize engineering achievements aimed at meeting United Nations millennium development goals and fostering intercultural dialogue…” To read the entire article, please visit here.

WORLD AIDS DAY DEC 1 2009
World AIDS Day, which aims to raise money awareness about HIV and AIDS, was held on December 1 of this year. The theme for 2009 was Universal Access and Human Rights, keys to ending this global epidemic. See related articles:

UW researchers work on AIDS vaccine
http://www.wkowtv.com/Global/story.asp?s=11599284&clienttype=printable

South Africa to treat all HIV-positive babies
http://host.madison.com/news/world/article_04ffbcaf-8bcd-57cc-88d1-362a797b6ebf.html

GOALS 7 AND 8 IN THE NEWS
During recent talks, “EU leaders have agreed to pay 7.2 billion euros [$10.6 billion)] over the next three years to help developing nations adapt to climate change.” Read full article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8407112.stm

Several patent-owning US universities and institutions pledged “to lean on biotech companies when licensing intellectual property to secure more favorable terms for countries in the developing world,” most notably for specific AIDS drug called Zerit.

CULTURAL DIPLOMACY IN AFRICA: A FORUM FOR YOUNG LEADERS
The Institute for Cultural Diplomacy’s program’s Weeklong Seminar, called “Cultural Diplomacy in Africa: A Forum for Young Leaders” (CDA), will take place in Berlin from 17th – 23rd January 2010. The program for the Seminar is split into two parts, beginning with group workshops, seminars, and lectures that will be followed by an international conference on development in Africa. The seminar will explore many development themes, including Africa’s progress towards the Millennium Development Goals. Interested students should call Katharina Müller, Managing Director of the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy for applications. Phone: 00.49.(0)30.2360-7680.

WANT TO LEARN MORE?
Å To learn more about the UW Millennium Development Goals Awareness Project, visit our website at http://www.iss.wisc.edu/mdgap/
ÅTo track the progress of the MDG’s online visit http://www.mdgmonitor.org/ or http://mdgs.un.org/unsd/mdg/Default.aspx
Å Contact MDGAP at mdgap@studentlife.wisc.edu to learn how you can have MDGAP at your next event!