Philanthropy Action

Category: Poverty Alleviation

There are 54 entries in this category.

Feb 13, 2008

The Bottom Billion in the News

Recent news events from some of the world’s poorer regions are providing more real-life examples of Paul Collier’s main theories from The Bottom Billion. In his book, and illuminated in our recent interview, Collier argues that there are four under-researched “traps” that lock a handful of the world’s countries, with a total population of close to one billion, in a cycle of despair. 

Feb 01, 2008

A Jump-Start Round-Up

After an extended holiday hiatus we are back with a round up of some worthwhile reads from the past month.

Dec 12, 2007

How Business Can Aid in the Fight Against Global Poverty

There are no easy answers to the eradication of poverty. There is no ‘one size fits all’ or a single solution. Poverty will ultimately be solved when good governments are installed that will create the environment for vibrant economic activity to take place. It will not be solved by grand projects run by governments but which offer poor returns on their investments. An enterprise-based strategy will lay the groundwork for a better educated and resourced next generation, to transform their nations and make poverty history.

Dec 10, 2007

Recent Themes Roundup

There has been a spate of stories recently covering a few recurring themes at Beyond Philanthropy: business development in sub-Saharan Africa, food policy, and effective giving. 

Dec 04, 2007

Cheetahs, Free Trade, Growth and Subsidies: Is this African Boom Different?

There is plenty of good news coming from Africa these days—not least of which is that average economic growth on the continent exceeds the world average growth. Much of the growth in sub-Saharan Africa is being driven by a new generation of African entrepreneurs, powered by business reforms, access to credit and such programs as the U.S.’ African Growth and Opportunity Act (which allows for free trade with U.S. for African manufactured goods). George Ayittey, a Ghanain economist, refers to these entrepreneurial leaders as “cheetahs”—fast, flexible, and aggressive in exploiting newfound opportunities.

Nov 05, 2007

Will more agriculture in Africa help Africans eat?

The importance of a well-fed population to growth and prosperity is obvious. What does not seem clear, however, is the direct link these reports – and the reporting done on them – seem to draw between agriculture as a sector and large-scale decreases in poverty.

Oct 30, 2007

Farm Bills and Food Stamps

Given all the reporting on the many problems with current farm policy that has been done in the past year by publications from across the political spectrum it is baffling how the new farm bill can get passed looking even worse than it did before.

Oct 09, 2007

Commodities and their Discontents

The American farm bill is perpetuating a deeply broken system that hurts everyone. There is some hope that the subsidies system will be curtailed as the Senate modifies the current version but we have a long way to go before the farm bill does what it is meant to: protect both farmers and those who consume their products. 

Jul 18, 2007

Celebrities, Influence, and Listening to Africans

The challenge for anyone looking to make a measurable difference is that the dynamics that help and harm in each country are so diverse. It is legitimately difficult to know who to listen to, because equally informed, stake-holding Africans have conflicting ideas about what will work in their respective countries or communities. 

Jul 16, 2007

Simple Can Be Best

Much good can come from introducing new technologies into developing communities, but often the best of development comes when existing resources are put to mindful use.

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