On the Origins of ECOWAS

It’s hard to pin one country in particular that “pioneered” ECOWAS.

The Short Answer is that leaders from Nigeria and Togo (General Yakubu Gowon and Gnassingbe Eyadema, respectively) started pushing for the idea in the early 1970s. Subsequently, ECOWAS was born out of the 1975 Treaty of Lagos

General Yakubu Gowon

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Africa, religion and women (Full Documentary)

YouTube Video Link :
http://youtu.be/QyUMSJXpEwg
Ethiopia is a Christian island surrounded by Muslim countries and Harar is other island within that island: a difficult city for sorting, the fourth holiest city of Islam with almost a hundred mosques within its walls, and the place where the poet Arthur Rimbaud chose to refuge in his flight from Europe. Here women control on the street the sale of khat, a plant with stimulant powers that sets the pace of Harar. Consumption, ritualized in everyday life of the city, provides its inhabitants a unique identity. Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE here for more amazing docs!: http://goo.gl/vNINO4 Follow us on: Facebook: http://ift.tt/1eBzX7i Twitter: https://twitter.com/NewAtlantisDocu
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Things They Never Tell You Or Show You About Ethiopia

YouTube Video Link :
http://youtu.be/ROEbOikWhkM
A Magnificent And Captivating Documentary By Joanna Lumley Presenting The Unfolding & Pure History Of The Beautiful Land And Its People. It Worth Watching & Sharing!
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Growing Up in Africa (full documentary)

YouTube Video Link :
http://youtu.be/TltNEG1SjoM
Africa is the continent with the highest percentage of children with AIDS, orphans, forced to work nine hours a day for seven days a week in prostitution or suffering from various types of slavery. Various NGOs and private institutions make everything they can to help these children. We will approach them to see some of their efforts they use to help them. Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE here for more amazing docs!: http://goo.gl/vNINO4 Follow us on: Facebook: http://ift.tt/1eBzX7i Twitter: https://twitter.com/NewAtlantisDocu
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The world is one large community, and we are all its citizens. If you wanted to help your neighbor, you could easily just go next door. But how exactly can you help someone who’s half-way across the world? Proximity is one obstacle. But then there’s also the question of gathering enough funds to make a difference, figuring out what to do with those funds, and determining who to give those funds to. Fortunately, there are a number of foreign aid charities that do all of the work for you.

Here’s a look at some of the top-rated charities in International Relief and Development according to Charity Watch. All of these organizations have received an A+ Grade, the highest grade that an organization can receive.

International Rescue Committee (IRC)

Website: www.rescue.org

Stated Mission: Serves refugees and communities victimized by oppression and violent conflict worldwide. Provides emergency relief, protection of human rights, post-conflict development, resettlement assistance, and advocacy...

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Before Cowboys and Pioneers, These People Lived in Colorado (and still do)

In the minds of many, Denver is a new city. While the likes of New York, Boston, Charleston, and Chicago seem old in comparison, Denver is the equivalent of an adolescent. Many people think of cowboys and pioneers when they think of the first inhabitants of Colorado. But long before American settlers arrived, Colorado and its environs were settled by another people, the Utes...

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Africa: Miracle Water (full documentary)

YouTube Video Link :
http://youtu.be/q_W-SZtjnKE
Out of the four classical elements: earth, water, air, fire; water is acting more decisively in the daily lives of Africans. Their absence or excess, its necessity as ancestral bearer of life and death, are at the origin of almost all conflicts and at the center of everyday life. Water in Africa, as in any other continent, is an object of veneration, hunting and survival. Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE here for more amazing docs!: http://goo.gl/vNINO4 Follow us on: Facebook: http://ift.tt/1eBzX7i Twitter: https://twitter.com/NewAtlantisDocu
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Ute Proud

YouTube Video Link :
http://youtu.be/naY0d5eINwg
The University of Utah uses the name “Utes” for its sports teams, as it has done with full support of the Ute Indian Tribe since 1972. The University, as the flagship of higher education in Utah, takes pride in carrying the name with understanding and respect toward our state’s namesake people. Learn more about the Ute culture, heritage and the history of our region at http://ift.tt/2aAsZVm.
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Ute Assimilation

YouTube Video Link :
http://youtu.be/ocVugNZfF5U
The Assimilation of the Ute People. This video was created for the ANTH 317 North American Indian Cultures class during the Fall 2010 semester at the University of South Carolina.
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Colorado Experience: The Original Coloradans

YouTube Video Link :
http://youtu.be/lWLdijamdcQ
Colorado Experience takes you through the history of the state's original inhabitants: the Utes. Historians trace their origins from pre-colonial days and early interactions with American trappers and explorers through the escalating friction with new settlers and gold seekers, to their ultimate expulsion to reservations. The first Ute reservations were established in the 1860's, and today the question of land rights remains a topic of dispute for the Ute nation. Discover how the Utes' legacy continues to impact Colorado today.
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Nelson Mandela Speech, Harvard 1998

YouTube Video Link :
http://youtu.be/5Zh8otC-c3s
Nelson Mandela Speech, Harvard 1998. Historic. A Must SEE! Support this channel buying in Amazon: http://ift.tt/2auEMDI
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Liquid Nitrogen Freeze-Ray Vs. Flamethrower

YouTube Video Link :
http://youtu.be/P01zSWCniH8
I made a freeze ray! Im basically a bonafide evil genius now. Freeze your cat, girlfriend, or flowers, the possibilities are endless..! wait no, thats about it. PS before Jeopardy thinks about suing me for using their music, remember who has the freeze ray now! Kevin: 1 - Alex: 0 Some notes about the gun: There are commercial liquid nitrogen guns used by dermatologists to freeze warts and skin cancer off. The guy that sells me liquid nitrogen was telling me about them. he says they have a pressure release valve that keeps the pressure at around 70psi. The problem is its hard to make a thermos thats also pressure rated because you have a pressure on the inside of the flask, then a vacuum directly on the other side. They are fragile and expensive. I tried to put a nichrome heating element inside the thermos to increase pressure, but it ended up not working that great. shaking the thermos made way more pressure!
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Corey Engelen’s Favorite Hikes Near Denver: Part III

There are tons of places to hike throughout Colorado as a whole, but there are a number of beautiful spots that are just a stone’s throw away from Denver. I have compiled a list of some of my favorite places to go hiking in the area. This is part three of that list. In no particular order here are 2 more places to hike.

Note: The hikes in this list are only a stone’s throw away from Denver. Driving time will vary of course, but I bet you can get to each one of these in 30-45 minutes.

Bear Creek Trail – Lair O’ Bear

By far the easiest of the hikes on this list, Bear Creek Trail is a perfect place to take the kids and the family dog (with a leash). No withering peaks or valleys hear...

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How Honoring Nelson Mandela’s Legacy Goes Beyond #MandelaDay

Over the course of history, human rights movement has seen the leadership of several extraordinary figures. On July 18, the world celebrates the achievement of the extraordinary Nelson Mandela. But the aims of the holiday reach further than just the actions of one man.

As the official Mandela Day website proclaims:

“It’s more than a celebration of Madiba’s life and legacy. It is a global movement to honour his life’s work and act to change the world for the better”

There’s no one way to celebrate the day, as long as one thinks about helping others...

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Corey Engelen Presents: Honoring Nelson Mandela's Legacy Beyond Mandela Day

My most recent video regarding Mandela Day.

Nelson Mandela destroys Ted Koppel Part 1

YouTube Video Link :
http://youtu.be/ryO3En-zG68
In 1990, Nelson Mandela visited the U.S. for the first time after being freed from 27 years of imprisonment in South Africa. During Mandela's visit he also conducted his first interview with Ted Koppel of ABC News. Koppel was then known as one of the toughest and most feared TV reporters and interviewers in America. His ABC news show, "Nightline", was one of the top rated late night programs on television. The interview turned out to be an openly biased attempt to assassinate Nelson Mandela's character, credibility, and cause. With the bulk of Koppel's preselected questioners being either conservative Republican plants, apartheid sympathizers, opponents of Mandela's African National Congress party (ANC), and/or known members of the white supremacists Apartheid regime. Due to the wisdom and strength of Nelson Mandela, the assassination attempt failed miserable. Ted Koppel was never the same man again and eventually slipped into oblivion. Here's a little background on some of the questioners that Ted Koppel preselected: Rev. Calvin Butts - Political crony of former Republican governor of New York George Pataki and major critic of Hip Hop music and culture. Gloria Toote - Conservative Republican who held positions in the Nixon, Ford and Reagan presidential administrations. Koos Van Der Merwe - South African Conservative Party leader and white supremacist. Ken Adelman - Conservative Republican political analyst and diplomat who served under Republican presidents Nixon and Ford. He was later a major proponent of the second Iraq War. Gatsha Buthelezi - Chief Minister Kwazulu and founder of the Inkatha Freedom Party; a political rival of the ANC and Nelson Mandela. Abe Hoppenstein - South Africa's New York City Consul General under the apartheid government, ANC opponent, and white supremacist.
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Locally-led humanitarian aid: Peter Walker at TEDxLakeGeneva

YouTube Video Link :
http://youtu.be/vCGjRIVdOpc
Humanitarian Strategist Peter Walker With over 25 years of field experience in international humanitarian relief, Peter Walker now leads a team of 30 academics and practitioners at the Feinstein International Center at Tufts University. His group conducts research to better understand the factors that lead to, or exacerbate humanitarian crises, and how to effectively respond to them. Walker is actively involved at all levels: driving policy and international standards whilst also training aid workers for crisis response during his annual disaster simulation workshop at Tufts. In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)
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Humanitarian work: The untold story | Gísli Ólafsson | TEDxReykjavik

YouTube Video Link :
http://youtu.be/ittc7_OoaYc
Gísli gives us insight into the reality of the humanitarian aid worker, which is often enveloped in an aura of nobility. Gísli Rafn Ólafsson officially became a disaster geek over a decade ago, when he joined his two passions in life, information technology and disaster response. Today he helps responders get access to the internet in the most challenging locations of all, disaster zones. When not traveling the world responding to disasters, he enjoys spending time with his wife, five kids, and grandson. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx
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Boosting resilience of local communities to natural disasters in Papua New Guinea

YouTube Video Link :
http://youtu.be/OAKuOqTl0O4
EU humanitarian aid not only addresses immediate needs in case of natural disasters, it also helps local communities better prepare for future crises. Pierre Prakash, Regional Information Officer at the European Commission's humanitarian department reports from Papua New Guinea on how better know-how and response mechanisms can save lives and speed up the recovery of communities. Since 2015, food security in Papua New Guinea has been jeopardised by frost and severe drought caused by the climatic phenomenon "El Niño". In 2015, the European Commission provided close to €1.3 million for health and nutrition support, hygiene kits as well as access to clean water to the impacted families. In addition, farmers receive trainings on drought-resilient agricultural methods. EU assistance to Papua New Guinea also aims to better prepare local communities for natural disasters by building up their resilience. Read more about the EU's work on resilience http://bit.ly/1IkGFC3. Video by the European Union/ECHO
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A Father’s Final Wish to See His Children After a Decade Apart

YouTube Video Link :
http://youtu.be/A3ClMNNPOP0
Mawa was torn away from his family by Sudan’s civil war. After a decade apart, and with the help of the IRC in Baltimore, he was finally able reunite with his children. Watch their tearful reunion and help the IRC reunite more families this Father’s Day. Donate Now: http://bit.ly/1Yx0BrI
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I Heart Denver

I’m originally from the Midwest. I travel around the world for work. But nonetheless, I couldn’t think of living anywhere else in the world. Denver to me is the perfect mix of nature and city. It has sports, it has culture, it has food, it has nature…did I already say that? Below is a more in depth list of things that I love about Denver...

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The Floating School of Makoko

I recently came across the inspiring story of the floating school of Makoko in Lagos. Architect Kunlé Adeyemi found himself drawn to Makoko, a slum located in the coastal African city of Lagos where many of the buildings are erected on piers that reach to the bottom of the shallow littoral waters.  But unlike many of the other structures in Makoko, the school does not rest on the ocean floor. It rests on water...



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Corey Engelen and Bringing Aid to the Horn of Africa

Millions are going without basic necessities in the Horn of Africa. Corey Engelen is working to change this with Help Horn of Africa and Help Somalia.

United Nations - Year in Review 2015

A great overview of some of the triumphs and tragedies of this past year. Our global community has definitely shared more than its share in sorrow--from the attacks in Paris to attacks throughout Nairobi and the daily struggles of over 60 million refugees--but there has been much beauty as well. If we pull together, we can make this world a safer, kinder one.

Human Rights Day 2015

Dec. 10 marked the 65th anniversary of Human Rights Day. In 1948 the United Nations General Assembly adopted a the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, a declaration that enumerated a universal standard for the way that human beings should be treated. The declaration consists of a preamble and 30 articles. Additional Human Rights Covenants have been adopted in subsequent years. Although the Declaration itself is not a binding document, it has inspired more than 60 human rights instruments, which in sum have been a major part of forming an international standard on human rights

Franklin Delano Roosevelt (Courtesy of History.com)

Human Rights Day was first established by the UN General Assembly in 1950. Each year, Human Rights day takes on a new focus. Focus in the past has been Human Rights 365 (the idea that Human Rights day should be every day) and My Voice Counts (which encouraged individuals to value and express their opinions) This years focus were the two Human Rights Covenants and Franklin Delano Roosevelt's Four Freedoms. The two covenants honored are the “International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights” and the “International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,” both of which were adopted in 1966. Both of these covenants, in addition to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, comprise the International Bill of Human Rights

Originally stated in Roosevelt’s 1941 Four Freedoms speech to US Congress, these freedoms helped guide the nation through the darkness of World War Two by envisioning a better future where every human being had access to the freedom of speech, the freedom of religion, the freedom from want and the freedom from fear. Eleanor Roosevelt, his wife, was a major player in helping FDR include his vision into the UN human rights documents.

Eleanor Roosevelt and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Courtesy of Huffington Post)

FDR’s four freedoms were later expanded upon by the U.N. Division on Human Rights around 1946. Canadian John Peters Humphrey was appointed as the first director of this division, which in turn formed a Commission on Human Rights. Designed to be representative of the international community, the Commission consisted of representatives from 18 countries from all continents (minus Antarctica). Eleanor Roosevelt chaired this organization, who at this time had outlived her husband.

U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon himself has stated that “today’s extraordinary challenges can be seen - and addressed - through the lens of the four freedoms.“

Secretary of State John Kerry has said that these freedoms, “are as relevant and compellilng today as they were when Roosevelt spoke almost three quarters of a century ago.”

In honor of Human Rights Day, the U.N. held a flower laying ceremony at Four Freedoms Park in Roosevelt Island New York.

Originally publish on CoreyEngelen.org

Students of Iowa State Bring Relief to Uganda Year After Year

Students of Iowa State have found ways to help those in need outside of the United States, specifically in Uganda. Elly Sukup, a junior at the University back in 2006 when the school made its first trip to Uganda. It was at this moment that for the first time she saw people truly hungry. The school since then has made it a point to go back every year to help those who need it most. Now in the programs 10th year, it looks as though the students of Iowa State University are making a difference. The program launched in 2004 thanks to the help of a $10 million endowment from alumni Gerald and Karen Kolschowsky.

The goal of each trip is simple: Create an alternative to drop-and-ditch philanthropy by forging sustainable programs with local residents. The program to date has helped over 10,000 citizens of Uganda. The program has helped build businesses, food security, keep kids in school and improve farming.

Some aid by the numbers thanks to the students of Iowa State include the following:

There are 5,200 school lunches served per week.

The calories provided in each lunch is now 850 after previously being 50.

There are 18 new well-watered systems now.

149 Ugandans are now enrolled in a youth entrepreneurship program.

For more on the progress of the Iowa State students, check out this article here.

Originally published on CoreyEngelen.org

Changing the World, One Charity at a Time

There are thousands of fantastic charities that successfully make an impact everyday. Here are a few impressive organizations that effectively address local and global issues. Getting involved on a local scale creates a ripple effect of change. As a global diplomat, I have seen the influence of many of the these non-profits, and I encourage you to get involved in any way you can.

1. Doctors Without Borders
This world-renowned organization began in France in the 1970s and is often abbreviated as MSF for the French, Médecins Sans Frontières. In 2015 over 30,000, mostly local, doctors, nurses and other medical professionals, logistical experts, water and sanitation engineers and administrators provided medical aid in over 70 countries. Doctors Without Borders acts as a global institute independent from the countries its doctors work in, while managing an impressive track record of political responsibility. A team surveys the field in each country, with medical aid and urgent care as the main objective of most missions, sometimes assisting in water purification and nutrition.

2. World Vision
World Vision is dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. Originally founded in 1950 as a Evangelical organization to relieve missionaries in emergency situations, the mission maintains a religious doctrine (it does, however, have a policy against proselytizing). World Vision hosts events such as a “Girls Night Out” marathon, nights dedicated to women in conflict or desperate situations and provide keynote speakers, light entertainment and of course, girl talk. There are also opportunities to fundraise in homage to World Vision.

3. International Women’s Development Agency
This organization represents women and girls by tackling issues of power, money and security. IWDA is committed to advocating for women the by working work towards ensuring their safety and sustainable solutions for their rights and well-being. IWDA works with partners in the Asia Pacific region but it encourages a global effort, especially through sponsorship of annual large events such as International Women’s Day and Half the Sky. These events impact women of communities everywhere and thus influence change on a global scale.

Originally published on CoreyEngelen.org