The rise of 'instant' news, made possible by telecommunications, places people in wealthy and peaceful countries in contact with those less fortunate. The pain and horror of repression, conflict, famine, drought and natural disaster, relayed from the trouble spots of the world, began to stir consciences and fuel demands for governments to 'do something.'
From the 19th century onwards, this awareness has had an increasingly powerful effect on international politics and society.
The ability to know almost instantly what was happening in other parts of the world, gave rise to the idea of a world community - coming to the aid of people in trouble.
Reports of repression, drought, famine, epidemics, pollution, or natural disaster on the radio or TV make a personal impact on the individual.
Multiplied by millions, that reaction led to the formation of organisations like OXFAM, Medecins Sans Frontieres, Greenpeace and Amnesty International - bodies independent of any government, fuelled and financed by subscription and donation.
These Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) play an increasingly influential role in world affairs - enabled by the telecommunications that gives them their global reach, relevance, and support base.
Ms Meg Fox, born in 1937, grew up in Belfast, Northern Ireland, the daughter of a British soldier. There was no phone at home but in case of emergency the local chemist would allow people to use theirs.
After her hopes to go to drama school were dashed as an adolescent, she found her vocation as a nurse.
The work took her out to a mission in Africa and she tells of her only communication with the outside world.
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