Dec 21, 2009

The Neocolonialists?

Recently I was listening to Rory Stewart’s The Places In Between, the story of his walk across Afghanistan. Near the end of the book Stewart turns his attention to the aid agencies, public and private, that had come rushing into Afghanistan. His observations are worthwhile reading for anyone interested in making international aid more effective, so I’m excerpting them here.

Nov 16, 2009

Saving the World By Lowering Your Expectations

Impatient optimists are like investors in subprime mortgages in 2007. They can be so blinded by the upside that they fail to do their due diligence. In the end, their impatience and pursuit of outsize returns fuels waste and disappointment. Patient optimists, by contrast, have lowered their expectations of any particular program or intervention, but not their belief in a better world over the long term. If we’re going to succeed in making the world a better place, we need to convince more people to lower their expectations, too.

Oct 07, 2009

Rwanda: Now the Tragedy has Irony

Rwanda is a place where the generally accepted and reported narrative is increasingly diverging from the facts on the ground. The narrative is well-known: Since the genocide, Rwanda has made steady progress in economic growth, stability and reconciliation under the benevolent and enlightened leadership of President Paul Kagame who is attracting economic investment from the business community rather than by soliciting aid.

But the narrative is breaking down at all levels. Rwanda is starting to look much more like a bitter tragedy than an inspirational new model.

May 06, 2009

Thoughts from Day Two of Council on Foundations

Day Two of the Council on Foundations annual conference featured two great sessions that we’ll turn into articles soon. In each case, the presenters had useful, substantive and thought-provoking things to say. Of course, there were a couple of not-so-great sessions as well.

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?

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.

Dec 11, 2008

When Is A Cow Not A Cow?

Jul 24, 2008

Fertilizer No Substitute for Good Management

Providing fertilizers in parts of the world with poor soil quality will not only do little to improve agricultural productivity, and may do harm. A strategy more likely to be successful is to lay the groundwork for farmers to gain secure land rights.

Jun 27, 2008

Use of Child Soldiers Still Common Despite Decrease in Conflicts

A recent report released by the Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers quantified a significant decrease between 2004 and 2007 in the number of conflicts worldwide involving child soldiers. But where conflict remains the practice continues unabated.

Jun 23, 2008

Putting a Price on Water

The huge underwater aquifiers that have sustained agriculture in water scare regions in India and the Southwest United States have run dangerously low due to decades of uncontrolled pumping and wasteful irrigation. Without intervention, this scarcity will become only more acute, as farmers and other landowners preemptively pump even more in an effort to get as much as they can for themselves before it is gone. Making water a trade-able commodity that costs something based on availability and price is one solution to the problem.