Last week, I heard one of Time's 100 most influential people, speak on "Why Aid is Not Working and How There is a Better Way for Africa." Dambisa Moyo really hammered home not only why we need to focus on economic infrastructures, but why aid is actually harming efforts to eliminate poverty.
In a pre-event discussion hosted by The Eleos Foundation, Moyo stated that African governments treat aid like an open ended entitlement and the developed world continues to feed into this expectation. There is no incentive for African governments to build economic infrastructure in their country because they know that aid will come anyway.
The one thing the World Bank can focus on this year, is to make all African countries get a credit rating. Right now, only 15 of the 50 countries have one. This credit rating is a signal to the international business community to have confidence in doing business there. Instead, African countries are showing images of impoverished children to increase aid. No investor wants to do business with that image.
In Africa, people who have access to education frequently do not take advantage of it because they know there won't be any jobs so why bother with the effort. Africa needs to create a place where industry exists and jobs are created other than the industry of aid.
Moyo's criticisms are mostly focused on government aid and less on charity from nonprofits or on emergency aid. However, she does point out the example of the African mosquito net manufacturer, employing local villagers, who is put out of business by well-intentioned aid agencies doling out free nets.
While the above represents what Moyo discussed, I have to agree that it makes sense. Here our my take aways:
TAKE AWAY #1:
Consistent with the issue of international aid vs. global development, I also recently read about social aid vs. social change. In your own giving, whether it's local, national, or international, think about if where you are donating your money is providing aid or the opportunity for change. It's up to you where you give, but it's good to understand what you are giving to.
TAKE AWAY #2:
Moyo did show her support for programs like KIVA, which provide micro financing and is pretty well known in the U.S. This is such an easy way for people like you and me to help support global change. I am about to give my second girlfriend a birthday gift of a KIVA gift card. No more candles, note cards, or books from me.
Click HERE for an article by my man Kristof addressing and supporting Moyo's views and a discussion on what type of aid is working the best.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Why the U.S. Education Issue Relates to Global Development
As mentioned above, I heard Dambisa Moyo speak this week. I wanted to hear her speak on international aid which she covered beautifully in the pre-event discussion hosted by The Eleos Foundation. Her main talk, in Campbell Hall, was on her new book which focuses on U.S. economics. I was wondering why I was spending a sunny Sunday afternoon away from my family to listen to her when she managed to take my two favorite causes, education reform and global development, and marry the two.
Moyo stated that the single most important issue to U.S. economics is our slipping performance in math and science. In one generation, we have gone from the #1 country with the most college graduates to #12. Not only do we need to maintain our position as the most innovative country in the world for our own economy's benefit, but innovation is what is needed to solve problems like poverty and energy efficiency.
By 2042, U.S. minorities will be the majority. However, we are failing to educate our minorities, especially in math and science. "We are ceading our power due to lack of innovation, due to lack of education." The world needs the U.S. to maintain it's position as the lead innovator to help our global community.
So my African born global development speaker, who was really an economist, ended up speaking about U.S. Education Reform.
Moyo stated that the single most important issue to U.S. economics is our slipping performance in math and science. In one generation, we have gone from the #1 country with the most college graduates to #12. Not only do we need to maintain our position as the most innovative country in the world for our own economy's benefit, but innovation is what is needed to solve problems like poverty and energy efficiency.
By 2042, U.S. minorities will be the majority. However, we are failing to educate our minorities, especially in math and science. "We are ceading our power due to lack of innovation, due to lack of education." The world needs the U.S. to maintain it's position as the lead innovator to help our global community.
So my African born global development speaker, who was really an economist, ended up speaking about U.S. Education Reform.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Giving in a Way I Never Thought Of
Sometimes you just need a break from saving the world. Courage to Lead provides this break and more. Last week, I had the good fortune to talk with Ken Saxon about the organization he founded. I left with a completely new thought on a simple, yet impactful, way I could help give back.
Non-profit executive directors consistently manage where there is unlimited need and demand for their services. They have limited supply so this need will never be met. This leads to feelings of constantly letting people down and always having a sense of not doing enough. This is not a sustainable model in which someone can maintain their passion. The Courage to Lead program allows non-profit directors to invest in themselves so they are more capable of putting their mission out in the world and so they stay passionate about driving their organization to better success without getting burnt out.
TAKE AWAY #1
There is so much negative press about non-profits and overhead. We can't continue to invest in program after program without an investment in the sustainability of the people and organization administrating these programs. Any successful businessman knows this is vital need in a traditional business. Non-profits aren't any different so we shouldn't be so quick to judge a non-profit for it's overhead, we shouldn't be afraid to invest in overhead, and we shouldn't be afraid to ask for more information from the organization about their overhead.
TAKE AWAY #2
This is an idea that is so simple, but yet so powerful. Take time to acknowledge the people who day in and day out are dedicating themselves to your favorite cause. Some very simple ways to do this are:
MY GOAL:
DRI youth is currently doing an Flower Power Fundraiser where you can pay to have a series of four bouquets sent to the people of your choice. I participated in this fundraiser and plan to send the flowers to the executive directors of my favorite non-profits.
Non-profit executive directors consistently manage where there is unlimited need and demand for their services. They have limited supply so this need will never be met. This leads to feelings of constantly letting people down and always having a sense of not doing enough. This is not a sustainable model in which someone can maintain their passion. The Courage to Lead program allows non-profit directors to invest in themselves so they are more capable of putting their mission out in the world and so they stay passionate about driving their organization to better success without getting burnt out.
TAKE AWAY #1
There is so much negative press about non-profits and overhead. We can't continue to invest in program after program without an investment in the sustainability of the people and organization administrating these programs. Any successful businessman knows this is vital need in a traditional business. Non-profits aren't any different so we shouldn't be so quick to judge a non-profit for it's overhead, we shouldn't be afraid to invest in overhead, and we shouldn't be afraid to ask for more information from the organization about their overhead.
TAKE AWAY #2
This is an idea that is so simple, but yet so powerful. Take time to acknowledge the people who day in and day out are dedicating themselves to your favorite cause. Some very simple ways to do this are:
- simply write them a note of appreciation
- bake them cookies
- pick flowers from your garden
- get them a gift certificate for something that will make them feel nurtured like a manicure, massage, facial etc.
MY GOAL:
DRI youth is currently doing an Flower Power Fundraiser where you can pay to have a series of four bouquets sent to the people of your choice. I participated in this fundraiser and plan to send the flowers to the executive directors of my favorite non-profits.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Why Facebook Isn't Just Noise
I recently discovered an easy way Facebook helps me stay in touch with non-profits I care about. I think most of us agree that reading, "Going to Costco and the dump," an actual status update I got, is just noise that we don't have time for. If there is a post from someone or about something I care about, I usually don't see it among the status updates like the one just mentioned.
You probably already know that many non-profits have Facebook pages that you can "Like" and any updates they provide show up on your newsfeed. These updates probably get lost among the, "driving kids to soccer" status updates. However, you can create a "Friend List" where you see updates only from the friends selected for that list.
This gives you the ability to put all of the updates from non-profits you like in one place, filtered out from the updates from your other 300 plus friends. Here's how you do this:
1. Click the Account drop-down at the top of any page, and select "Edit Friends."
3. Click the Create New List button at the top of the page.
4. Select the friends you want to add to this new list including Pages you Like.
To view updates only from these Friends/Pages:
1. On your Home, to the right of Newsfeed it says Most Recent, click on Most Recent.
2. You will now see your newly created list as an option. Select it, and bingo, you only see updates from this list.
Once you get this going you will find more and more Pages you want to follow. So:
How do you add new Friends/Pages to list after it is created:
1. Click the Account drop-down at the top of any page, and select "Edit Friends."
2. Click on your list name which should now appear in the lefthand column.
3. Enter the name of the Friend/Page you want to add.
- Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
- Causecase
- Community Environmental Council
- Direct Relief International
- Education Nation
- Environmental Defense Center
- Nicholas Kristof*
- Non-Profits on Facebook
- Philanthroper
- Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara
- Social Change - New York Times
- Storyteller
- United Nations Millennium Change
I'd love to hear which cause related organizations you are following on Facebook.
*I know this is unusual circumstances for making a case why staying up to date via facebook on your favorite cause is helpful, but Kristof was updating Facebook multiple times a day while in Cario reporting on the riots. He's one of the main reasons I check Facebook and I am always missing his posts because of all the other meaningless posts on my newsfeed. With my new list, I won't miss his posts again. I have over 350 friends and only three of you are friends with Kristof. You are really missing out!
*I know this is unusual circumstances for making a case why staying up to date via facebook on your favorite cause is helpful, but Kristof was updating Facebook multiple times a day while in Cario reporting on the riots. He's one of the main reasons I check Facebook and I am always missing his posts because of all the other meaningless posts on my newsfeed. With my new list, I won't miss his posts again. I have over 350 friends and only three of you are friends with Kristof. You are really missing out!
Education Reform 101 and What You Can Do
I've been struggling to write a concise recap on Education Reform. The issues and solutions are complicated. So, I am starting with the basics and building the conversation from there.
Providing quality education to poverty level and below children is my main concern when I think about Education Reform. Is this a political issue or a philanthropic issue? I think both.
THE FACTS
Luckily there is wide-spread bipartisan agreement that reform is needed (Associated Press). Here's why:
THE PLAN
According to the White House Education Website Obama has outlined a detailed plan for K-12 that focuses on three areas:
#1- Modify unwieldy testing requirements, like No Child Left Behind requires, with goals that would foster critical thinking and innovative use of knowledge to prepare students for college and careers.
#2 - Put a new focus on teacher performance and the lowest performing schools. This includes better support and incentives for teachers as well as removing ineffective teachers
#3 - Support high-quality charter schools that offer reform, innovation, and choices for parents.
THE DEBATE
It goes as no surprise that these three focus areas aren't without their challenges. These include:
#1 Modify unwieldy testing requirements:
#2 - Put a new focus on teacher performance
#3 - Support high-quality charter schools
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Stay informed: Articles on Education Reform are published about as frequently as kids are dropping out of high school. I hope this post encourages you to read these articles and provides you a framework for understanding the issues. You can also click here to see my prior postings on Education Reform and here for websites I like.
Contact your politicians: Regardless of your party, there is a concern that Republicans will not make this a top priority. It is important that you contact your political leaders and let them know you consider this an issue needing immediate action. This can easily be done via the House of Representatives and U.S. Senate websites. This is my goal for the week.
Help your local school: Check with your local schools to see how you can help. Can you help gather needed supplies, assist in a classroom, or provide tutoring?
For more ideas check out these two websites:
Takepart.com
Waiting for Superman -Take Action
Providing quality education to poverty level and below children is my main concern when I think about Education Reform. Is this a political issue or a philanthropic issue? I think both.
THE FACTS
Luckily there is wide-spread bipartisan agreement that reform is needed (Associated Press). Here's why:
- In the highly publicized international PISA tests, USA 15 year-olds, out of 65 counties ranked 29th in math, 16th in Reading, and 21st in Science (source)
- For every 50 kindergarten children who have difficulty learning to read, 44 of them will still have difficulty in third grade. (source)
- 4 out of 10 4th- and 8th-graders are proficient in math (source)
- On average, only 58 percent of students in America’s 50 largest cities make it to commencement (source)
THE PLAN
According to the White House Education Website Obama has outlined a detailed plan for K-12 that focuses on three areas:
#1- Modify unwieldy testing requirements, like No Child Left Behind requires, with goals that would foster critical thinking and innovative use of knowledge to prepare students for college and careers.
#2 - Put a new focus on teacher performance and the lowest performing schools. This includes better support and incentives for teachers as well as removing ineffective teachers
#3 - Support high-quality charter schools that offer reform, innovation, and choices for parents.
THE DEBATE
It goes as no surprise that these three focus areas aren't without their challenges. These include:
#1 Modify unwieldy testing requirements:
- Democrats want a full overhaul of No Child Left Behind and insist it has to be done this year, before the 2012 campaign takes over the political agenda. Republicans, on the other hand, favor an incremental approach and insist they will not approve any new spending (Slate).
- There is lack of agreement on how big of role federal government should play in day to day education (Washington Post and Bloomberg).
#2 - Put a new focus on teacher performance
- I think we are all aware of the hot topic of teacher tenure. "There is a consensus among education reformers and some teachers'-union leaders that the rules need to be changed and the process streamlined. The contentious debate tends to be about how to modify what constitutes due process." I highly recommend this article, from Time, for a fuller discussion. Of course there are several articles a day published on this one topic alone.
#3 - Support high-quality charter schools
- Are charter schools as effective as they are being hailed? Read this article from the Washington Post for a fuller discussion on this topic.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Stay informed: Articles on Education Reform are published about as frequently as kids are dropping out of high school. I hope this post encourages you to read these articles and provides you a framework for understanding the issues. You can also click here to see my prior postings on Education Reform and here for websites I like.
Contact your politicians: Regardless of your party, there is a concern that Republicans will not make this a top priority. It is important that you contact your political leaders and let them know you consider this an issue needing immediate action. This can easily be done via the House of Representatives and U.S. Senate websites. This is my goal for the week.
Help your local school: Check with your local schools to see how you can help. Can you help gather needed supplies, assist in a classroom, or provide tutoring?
For more ideas check out these two websites:
Takepart.com
Waiting for Superman -Take Action
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Tidbits
SPORTS DRIVE:
I like anything where I can help by getting rid of something I already have and support children helping children. Here is an easy one to do:
Students from Laguna Blanca, Montecito Union, Cold Spring, Marymount, Crane, Bishop, El Montecito, and Santa Barbara Middle School are gathering new and gently used sports equipment and clothing for the Second Annual Sports Drive. For more information about Sports Drive, visit http://sbsportsdrive.com/
GREEN CARE IN PRE_SCHOOLS
Do you have a child in pre-school? Check here to see if your child's school is a Green Care Provider.
CELL PHONE COLLECTION FOR HAITI
In a recent post I discussed What is Working in Haiti and the importance of cell phones. I posted my goal of doing a cell phone collection with my book club. Last week, we collected 12 cells phones that I will send to the Red Cross for Haiti.
NEW LINKS:
I added the following links to the "Helpful Links" page:
United States Senate
House of Representatives
The White House
I like anything where I can help by getting rid of something I already have and support children helping children. Here is an easy one to do:
Students from Laguna Blanca, Montecito Union, Cold Spring, Marymount, Crane, Bishop, El Montecito, and Santa Barbara Middle School are gathering new and gently used sports equipment and clothing for the Second Annual Sports Drive. For more information about Sports Drive, visit http://sbsportsdrive.com/
GREEN CARE IN PRE_SCHOOLS
Do you have a child in pre-school? Check here to see if your child's school is a Green Care Provider.
CELL PHONE COLLECTION FOR HAITI
In a recent post I discussed What is Working in Haiti and the importance of cell phones. I posted my goal of doing a cell phone collection with my book club. Last week, we collected 12 cells phones that I will send to the Red Cross for Haiti.
NEW LINKS:
I added the following links to the "Helpful Links" page:
United States Senate
House of Representatives
The White House
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