In the year 2006, if you recall, there was the Davos Conference in Switzerland whose theme was “ Shifting the power equation “. This was all about coming up with ways of handing the people more power to govern and administrate themselves. At least that was to the best of my understanding of the purpose of convening the conference. So, I thought what would be the best way of actually following up on this commitment. Before that, there had been numerous conferences and workshops that had been convened to deliberate on meeting the global challenges.

Time and again, I have interacted with people, come across people and by the end of my interactions, I have come to understand that people actually have very brilliant ideas on how to deal with the issues affecting them. People actually understand what their problems and challenges are and they are in a position to prioritize and determine the approach on achieving solutions. To be honest, our leaders are getting the whole idea of meeting the challenges of the 21 st century all wrong. Its not that our leaders don’t care, its just that they don’t get it.

I sat back and thought to myself, despite all commitments and follow ups that have been made by the international community towards meeting various challenges, our communities and our people are more than ever wallowing in the valley of despair and hopelessness. Our societies are increasingly become more hostile and in habitable. At this point, I asked myself a difficult question, we have and are following one way, is it possible that we are all wrong ? What if we try another way ? If all possible avenues have been exhausted then is it possible that there is something we have not tried ? Maybe what I want to try has been done before, then can I put my approach in a perspective that has never been put before ?

I looked deep within myself and thought, what challenges do I face that make me not achieve my goals ? Do I actually know what I need to resolve my situation ? Then I looked into my neighborhood, I asked the very same question. You know what, I learned that, our challenges are as diverse as our communities and cultures. Our challenges are as many and as different as we all are. The truth is, we understand ourselves and we know what to do, what we lack are the opportunities and resources to make the difference.

Unless we focus our attention in empowering our people to meet and solve their background challenges then little or no progress will be made at achieving the global challenges. The so called global challenges are a result of background challenges that go un addressed. Problems have a way of adopting many forms just like the virus of HIV. So, we must find a way of going back to the community and understand what exactly we need to do. We must invest and empower people to act on their own behalf and for us not to act on their behalf as is the case currently.

I felt that we got it all wrong somewhere along the way and it is necessary for us to retrace the steps, and find out where exactly we went wrong and take necessary steps in rectifying the situation. This is most crucial if we are to make the most of the next 7 years in the campaign of achieving the Millenium Development Goals. The best way to accomplish anything is to first get united and most importantly find a common ground upon which we can all come together.

Against this backdrop, I structured an initiative that the people would decide the kind of programs, projects and approaches they needed, in order to launch a successive attack on the challenges they face. I am keen on working in partnership with interested persons in order to advance the agenda of the people. The entire concept of the Global Efforts Initiative is to re organize the communities and introduce a new culture of new ideas in a new approach of united efforts and collective responsibility. We are all about setting new goals that will facilitate the achievement of the MDGs and the overall global challenges.

The Global Efforts Initiative is committed to taking the concept of community development to a whole new and exciting level. I am in talks with potential partners that I have identified as crucial in this process and I am optimistic that we will find a way of merging my agenda with that of theirs for the benefit of creating a global partnership with a community based approach. The Global Efforts Initiative will have chapters in all countries around the world hence the need to have partnerships at a global level.

I have chosen to work very closely in partnership with ABC4All in order to ensure the success of humanity in meeting the transcendent challenges. Therefore, I am willing and ready to hold talks with you and others within and out your network on how we could work together in forming a strong alliance. There is much much more about this initiative that I have not expressed, but I will be happy to share more as we continue to work together.

Maybe we could come together and merge our ideas, you know the idea and vision you had and have for ABC4ALL and that I have for the Global Efforts Initiative, and form something new and very progressive for the global community. It's just a thought that has popped up. Think about it.

Currently am working with some journalists across East Africa who are launching a Media Initiative called the African Media Initiative on Development (AMID). The Journalists and Media stakeholders are launching this initiative in view of advancing the agenda of the MDGs all across Africa. They picked me as a key strategist and presumptive nominee for CEO based on my consistent campaign for change in the development arena and the unique structure of the Global Efforts Initiative. The Media Initiative will start in East Africa then spread to other regions within the continent.

I am so excited and ready to work tirelessly to ensure that our people achieve nothing short of the best. We will be working closely and in partnership with the United Nations, NGOs, Private Sector and other interested groups in advancing the agenda. We will be keen on forming alliances and partnerships with other organizations and institutions around the world. I see this as an opportunity that will prepare me fully to deal with and understand the challenges of the global community in a more hands on kind of experience. This idea came up in a past conference hosted by the United Nations for the Millenium Campaign that brought together the journalists within the continent to discuss their role in aiding communities achieve the MDGs.

I am keen to work with you and others in the African Media Initiative on Development (AMID) and the Global Efforts Initiative (GEI).

Thanks and God bless,

ERIC GITONGA MBURUGU.