posted by devonwhittle on May 22, 2008
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Aid agencies are rightly a bit worried about religious groups getting involved in helping people. There has been a history of bad outcomes associated with people not understanding how good development/emergency help works (eg. ‘adopting’ children after the Tsunami). That said, as
this post points out ignoring religion means agencies are missing out on what could be a terrific help. The Church, for example, is virtually everywhere, commands the respect of people and provides a network of relationships that aren’t readily available by other means.
Popularity: 5% [?]
posted by devonwhittle on May 10, 2008
Excellent
post on why Sovereign Wealth Funds shouldn’t be required to invest a certain percentage in Africa. Sure Africa needs increased capital, but SWFs aren’t the best way to make it happen.
Popularity: 4% [?]
posted by devonwhittle on May 8, 2008
Getting
some perspective on international ODA:
The resulting balloons, celebrations, smiley press conferences and declarations of a new start for Africa were about the entire western world donating to an entire impoverished continent less than half of what one country has quietly coughed up in weapons for the Saudis, Egypt and Israel.Popularity: 3% [?]
posted by devonwhittle on Apr 23, 2008
The
Microfinance Gateway posted a review on the two dominant online microlending institutions: Kiva, a not-for-profit online microlender; and MicroPlace, owned by eBay, for profit microlender. Interestingly, at the moment there’s too much money not enough projects - so it definitely has been successful in getting donors. The article also identifies some challenges for these micro-lenders such transparency, sustainability and the distorting effect of the funds can have in developing markets.
Popularity: 3% [?]
posted by devonwhittle on Apr 15, 2008
A new OECD report shows that
foreign aid is down by about 8%, and donors are holding back about $30 billion that was promised following the Make Poverty History campaign. Good news for Australia though, we are bucking the trend. Can’t wait to see what the upcoming budget looks like.
Popularity: 3% [?]
