Bill Gates on the Developing World and Small-scale Philanthropy

Having read this weekend about 130 of my students' essays on the rationale for getting more involved with those suffering in the developing world, I was somewhat, but not entirely surprised by the numbers who feel that the economic and social problems of the United States are dire enough that US citizens should not be thinking about increasing aid to or investment in those "beyond her borders." There was even one essay that argued, somewhat compellingly, if not a bit naively, that those in the US are already doing more than their share in reaching out to the developing world.

If ever there was a paradigmatic successful global capitalist, it would have to be Bill Gates. As you know, Gates left full-time responsibilities at Microsoft last summer and now devotes all his time running his charitable foundation. Tomorrow his new annual letter will be available, but Nick Kristof of the NY Times met with him in Seattle last week for a sneak peek at the letter. Mr. Gates makes compelling and compassionate arguments about why it is more important now than ever, even in the face of US economic downturn, to turn some of our energy and focus to the developing world. Please take five minutes to watch it here.