Oof. We don't have great news for you. It's been approximately two decades since Elie Wiesel delivered "The Perils of Indifference," and we really aren't any closer to a world without indifference.

When Wiesel spoke at the White House in 1999, it was utterly impossible for him to understand how the world had ignored the lessons of the Holocaust and stood by while another million people fell victim to genocides in Rwanda, Bosnia, and Darfur. He said we had to be better—there wasn't any other choice, no other excuse.

But have we really learned anything? The 21st century, at least the first part of it, hasn't exactly been exemplary when it comes to quashing conflict and atrocity.

The Darfur genocide, which started in 2003, is still continuing today. Almost 500,000 people have been murdered. Ethnic cleansing has shaped the first couple of decades of the 21st century—from Kyrgyzstan to India, from Syria to the Central African Republic.

And war continues to devastate. There are too many 21st century conflicts to list here, but check out the Encyclopedia Britannica entry on the "Eight Deadliest Wars of the 21st Century" for more bleak, depressing info.

All of this mayhem and murder and heartbreak? That's all made possible by widespread indifference.

This news might leave you feeling downtrodden. (We certainly have to take a deep, calming breath before we check the news in the morning.)

But remember that Wiesel's speech isn't just about the state of the world; it's also a very personal call to arms. Just as your personal indifference can have a negative effect on the wider world, your effort—giving a hoot about injustice and suffering—can have a positive effect.

So while we can't tell you that the world of the 21st century is a changed and peaceful place, we can tell you that your compassion (and action) means a ton to people in need. Even small donations to organizations like UNICEF, Doctors Without Borders, or Women for Women International can help combat worldwide suffering. (Psst: there are about a zillion other charitable organizations you can pitch in to help—do your research and choose one with a mission that moves you.)

And seriously, there are also a million ways to show your lack of indifference without spending a lot of cash. Volunteer at a soup kitchen and help people get some hot lunch. Buy a homeless person a breakfast sandwich. Volunteer at a hospital and talk to a lonely patient. Donate some cans to a food drive. Even smiling at people who seem down and out can help raise their spirits just a little bit.

The bad news? The world hasn't changed much since 1999. The good news? If enough people are bothered by ongoing war and atrocity, there's still hope that it will change.