A ray of hope rises when politicians make decisions that seem sensible and sincere. President Obama is attempting something similar, as reported in the Atlanta Journal Constitution article entitled, “Obama’s unconventional pick to run the World Bank.” The article gives a detailed overview of Jim Yong Kim, nominated by the President himself to run the World Bank. One with a varied background, Kim has spent most of his life fighting disease in poor countries especially in Africa, where he treated millions of Africans for HIV. Economists say that the man’s life mission is to eliminate poverty.

Some key points in the article include:

• Kim made possible the availability of cost-efficient anti-TB drugs in Lima, Peru
• With Kim’s WHO’s HIV program, 7 million African patients have been treated
• World Bank is focusing on making loans for big dams and road projects in poor countries
• If Kim wins, it will be the first time the World Bank is led by a non-American

With development leaders like Kim, there is a possibility that poverty could experience a recession for a change. This is especially peculiar for the U.S. because Obama’s action has attempted to break the on-going tradition of an American-led World Bank. Additionally, the U.S. is one of the highest contributors to help fight poverty, with donating $1.9 billion this year, as reported by ABC news.

To turn this into a story:

• Ask local people about their views of the World Bank and its efforts to reduce poverty
• Stir up discussion among economists to understand political tactics involved in such a step by the President
• A possible story angle would be: Existence of local organizations with a similar goal towards poverty such as the World Bank: compare/contrast how each work
• Research different approaches taken by local organizations and whether they believe in following in the footsteps of the World Bank

Poverty Reporting and Commentary from across the web:

The New York Times: Santorum Unveils ‘Obamaville” Video, Scary Music Included

The New York Times: A Tax Plan That Aims at Loopholes, in Theory

Washington Post: ‘There is no joy in education these days’ – The Answer Sheet

Huffington Post: Low credit, no problem: Americans pile into junk