News Release

Gates Foundation awards $15 million to support science-based effort to end poverty in Africa

Grant helps fund bold strategy developed by the Earth Institute at Columbia University

Grant and Award Announcement

Columbia Climate School

The Earth Institute at Columbia University today announced that it has received $15 million from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to advance scientific research and efforts to slash poverty, disease and hunger in Africa. The grant supports The Earth Institute at Columbia University, which is currently working in 10 African countries to battle the complex challenges of poverty with proven scientific interventions and policy recommendations at the local and national levels.

"Support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will help Columbia's scientists and policy experts pioneer new approaches to solving some of the world's most urgent problems," said Lee C. Bollinger, President of Columbia University. "This gift is an important investment in the work of Columbia's Earth Institute and its dedication to ending global poverty. We are grateful to the Gates Foundation for its leadership and vision for a new generation of philanthropy."

Today more than 300 million people in Africa live on less than $1 a day. Of this number, a large percentage must also endure associated ills such as disease and social inequality that entrap them in a vicious cycle of poverty. Opening access to markets, technological advances, infrastructure, and basic services such as health care and education can make the difference between a future that is full of hope or bleak with despair.

Under the leadership of Jeffrey D. Sachs, director of the Earth Institute, an interdisciplinary team of experts in agriculture, engineering, hydrology, public health, and a host of other disciplines have been implementing a dynamic strategy for achieving sustainable development in some of the world's poorest countries. Due in large part to their efforts, thousands of people across a distinct agriculture zone in Africa now have access to clean water and alternative fuel sources, life-saving medicine, nutritious meals and income-generation opportunities. Funding from the Gates Foundation will substantially support the achievement of the Earth Institute's ultimate goal, which is to roll out a practical, integrated strategy of interventions and policy recommendations country-wide throughout Africa, in both rural and urban centers.

"Alleviating poverty in the developing world is a multifaceted challenge and we're pleased to support the Earth Institute at Columbia University's extraordinary faculty and unique, collaborative approach," said Sylvia Mathews, president of the Global Development Program at the Gates Foundation. "Engaging academic researchers across disciplines in this undertaking holds great promise for expanding the global development field and advancing a range of science-based solutions that will benefit millions of people who live in extreme poverty."

Funding provided through the Gates Foundation's Global Development Program will help ramp up the Earth Institute's efforts and resources dedicated to achieving the Millennium Development Goals -- eight interrelated objectives for halving the number of people living in extreme poverty by 2015 and meeting other related targets. The Institute's work in Africa is aligned with the strategic goal of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to actively contribute to an African "Green Revolution," similar to that which dramatically increased the productivity of small farms in Asia, moving hundreds of millions of people out of extreme poverty and hunger.

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For more information, please contact Clare Oh at coh@ei.columbia.edu or at (212) 854-5479.

About the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works to reduce inequities and improve lives around the world. In developing countries, it focuses on improving health, reducing extreme poverty, and increasing access to technology in public libraries. In the United States, the foundation seeks to ensure that all people have access to a great education and to technology in public libraries. In its local region, it focuses on improving the lives of low-income families. Based in Seattle, the foundation is led by CEO Patty Stonesifer and Co-chairs William H. Gates Sr., Bill Gates, and Melinda French Gates. More information is available at www.gatesfoundation.org.

About The Earth Institute

The Earth Institute at Columbia University is the world's leading academic center for the integrated study of Earth, its environment and society. The Earth Institute builds upon excellence in the core disciplines -- earth sciences, biological sciences, engineering sciences, social sciences and health sciences -- and stresses cross-disciplinary approaches to complex problems. Through research, training and global partnerships, it mobilizes science and technology to advance sustainable development, while placing special emphasis on the needs of the world's poor. For more information, visit www.earth.columbia.edu.


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