Jul 16, 2009

Debating the Value of RCTs

May 04, 2009

2009 Index of Global Philanthropy and Remittances Published Amid Steep Drops in Remittance Flows

How can policy and development encourage the use of remittance funds for positive development ends? Tim Ogden and Laura Starita, the editors of Philanthropy Action, together with Heidi Metcalf, the deputy director of the Hudson Institute, tackled that question in Hudson’s 2009 Index of Global Philanthropy and Remittances.

Apr 06, 2009

Moratorium on Moyo Mumbling

Both those who have praised or condemned Dambisa Moyo’s new book seem to have lost touch—as they fine-tune the language of their point-counterpoint—with an inexorable reality: there is zero chance that Western governments will cut off aid flows to Africa within five years. Is there any practical advice on offer anywhere?

Mar 18, 2009

Should donations to foreign charities be tax deductible?

Gary Becker and Richard Posner extend the debate about tax deductions enjoyed by donors to the funds given to international charities.

Feb 18, 2009

Follow Up: Investing in the Future of Rwanda and Congo

The Rwandan government’s current joint military operations with the Congolese army to finally dismantle the remains of militia groups that participated in the 1994 genocide creates an unequivocal opportunity for philanthropic investment no matter how one feels about the politics of the Rwandan government. For those concerned about the future of East and Central Africa and finally ending the various conflicts that have claimed more than 5 million lives, ensuring that remnants of Hutu militias can create peaceful livelihoods should be a top priority.

Feb 10, 2009

When It Pays to Pay

In contrast to studies that have shown a benefit to asking aid recipients to pay a nominal cost for items they receive, an RCT in Western Kenya found that cost-sharing could reduce use of malaria bed nets by 75 percent versus a free-distribution effort. These results provide a lesson to those of us (myself included) who are often tempted to extrapolate. Context is everything in poverty interventions, and this study provides not only insight into what could work to stem malaria infection in Western Kenya, but a reminder that we have to test and re-test our assumptions in the real world. 

Sep 05, 2008

The Road to Carbon Neutrality

The story of how a small agricultural Danish island became a net exporter of wind energy is compelling. And it may serve as a model which others can follow.

Aug 05, 2008

New AIDS Numbers Reveal Past Inaccuracies, and Conflict Over Best Approaches

The newest CDC data on HIV/AIDS infections in the United States suggest that the agency has underestimated new US infections by 40 percent since the late 1990s. The agency nonetheless asserts that the number of annual new has remained stable since the late nineties. The UN likewise says that new infection rates worldwide remained stable this year overall, with decreases in some countries (such as Uganda and Ethiopia) offset by increases in others (such as China, Russia and Vietnam). The conclusion being drawn from the evidence is that prevention efforts are failing the vulnerable.

Jul 07, 2008

Bush Proposes Tracking Mechanism for Aid Pledges

A mechanism for tracking whether members of the G8 are keeping up with their pledged contributions toward development in impoverished countries would be a step in the right direction for injecting more accountability into foreign aid.

Jul 03, 2008

More Young People Looking for Post-College Stints in the Volunteer Corps

More recent college graduates are applying to join volunteer organizations such as Teach for America or the Peace Corps. Yet in the last few months two relevant stories have come out about the Peace Corps specifically, both of which suggest that its historical reliance on young volunteers has played a role in the organizations’ reputation as a particularly ineffective conduit for humanitarian relief.