SUDAN - over the years, much has been in the news about the human genocide happening in Darfur. This election could possibly split the country into two with unknown positive or negative results for its people's welfare.
Jimmy Carter and Nicholas Kristof Answer Readers' Questions About Sudan, Take 1 - NYTimes.com
This is a great link to hearing from Kristoff and former President Carter about the current election situation in Sudan and its impact.
Good comments about what Sudan will need if the country splits. Points out the role of aid and possible negative impact, "where aid funding undermines economic incentive or a government's ability to develop local systems is dangerous and can lead to further destabilization."
MICROFINANCE UNDER QUESTION - Just like it is hard to see well meaning foreign aid groups under attack, it's frustrating to see microfinance now being questioned. After reading these articles I am taking the stance that done ethically it is a good program.
Article talking about hostility toward micro lenders and the attempt to blame the Nobel prize winner who mainstreamed it in India, Muhammad Yunus.
Important point that many knock off lenders are in it for the profit and to take advantage. Muhammad Yunus addresses difference between Grammens Bank and the others.
And from Kristof, "Bangladesh has thrived in recent decades because of the strength of its civil society — especially Grameen and the equally amazing organization BRAC. Government governance has frankly been disappointing, but civil society has helped account for Bangladesh’s enormous gains. If the government is now going to crush the country’s strongest sector, heaven help it."
HAITI - On the one year mark of the earthquake, I have to include something.
This is a great resource for getting more on the impact NGO's have had in Haiti especially with all of the bad press they have been getting.
Great story behind how the NYT Haiti cover shot was captured.
This is a four part series. I don't agree with all of it, but I found this second article the most interesting.
Direct Relief International: Emergency Response - Haiti Earthquake
DRI's recap of the impact they have had this last year in Haiti. Despite all of the negative press NGO's have been getting, let's not forget the good work that is still done. You can also see CEO Thomas Tighe interviewed at msnbc.com Video Player. I like his quote, "There is no option to quit."
SOLUTIONS: "Fixes" is online only at the New York Times. It focuses on currently implemented solutions to social problems and why they work. Always interesting to read.
Direct Relief International: Emergency Response - Haiti Earthquake
DRI's recap of the impact they have had this last year in Haiti. Despite all of the negative press NGO's have been getting, let's not forget the good work that is still done. You can also see CEO Thomas Tighe interviewed at msnbc.com Video Player. I like his quote, "There is no option to quit."
SOLUTIONS: "Fixes" is online only at the New York Times. It focuses on currently implemented solutions to social problems and why they work. Always interesting to read.
This article discusses what it refers to as a more successful solution that can be implemented on a larger scale and that is paying the poor. Current successful examples are included.
This article addresses how some of the greatest advances come from taking old ideas or technologies and making them accessible to millions of people who are underserved. In this case, electricity from corn husks.
And to finish some things up:
Good article on the the US government aid agency's future. It's direction and what it needs. Emphasis is on aid that fosters economic development as a solution to poverty which is what I am reading more and more about as the best direction from people like Kristof.
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