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Beyond aid
Tom Paulson over at Humanosphere makes an interesting argument that philanthropy-charity-aid-humanity is on the threshold of something… new, something different. Read the article. It’s compelling, but...
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Eight people
Most well-known North American newscasts and news magazine shows took a short break earlier today (Sunday, 7 April) to discuss the breaking news that famous interview journalist and 60 Minutes...
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Under Oath
I applaud the work of organizations like ELHRA, ALNAP, HAP, projects like Sphere. They raise the bar. They guide and sometimes push the Aid Industry and engaged individuals inside it towards greater...
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Missionary, Mercenary, Mystic, Misfit
It was only a matter of time before I got around to publishing a second work of humanitarian fiction (#humfiction). Disastrous Passion was the first. I never before thought I’d write a romance novel,...
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Bother
It recently occurred to me that: - Soldiers and police officers get medals for valor and heroism. – Athletes get medals for winning competitions. – Writers and journalists get Pulitzers. – Academics,...
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Is any harm being done?
I’ve learned the hard way over the years that anyone who dares to speak up against amateur do-gooder, voluntourism in any significant way can expect a flood of response, usually emotional, often angry,...
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We Don’t Need Another Hero
Happy World Humanitarian Day. * Several weeks ago I set out to write a rant post about some uninformed person who collects “pre-loved” bras, sends them to other countries, and then tries to link it all...
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Weekend Update!
Weekend Update: For those who may have missed it, I was featured over at WhyDev.org this past week in a series of posts in which I answered reader questions. WhyDev is one of the best resources out...
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Honor Among Thieves: Launch!
After months of angst-ridden tension, it’s finally here: The launch of my fourth book, third humanitarian aid novel, and part two of what I’m calling “The Humanitarian Fiction Trilogy” (Missionary,...
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Take Care
It’s interesting to note the emergence of two strands of discussion in the public space around humanitarian aid and development. One is the issue of chronic and/or traumatic stress and accompanying...
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Weekend Whinge
Well, what the heck. Here are some of the things that made me roll my eyes this weekend: Give a Goat, Save a Girl. This one pushes all of my buttons, but I’ll just mention two: Dollar handles: For only...
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The Good Ones
The most crucial issue facing the aid world right now is essentially, “what does excellence look like?” Not efficiency. Not innovation or accountability or humanitarian space. Sure, you can spin it...
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Waiting For Payment
My Facebook and Twitter feeds are alight right now with people carrying on about the widely touted Living Level-3, a graphic novel about what it’s like to be an aid worker, produced by World Food...
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Four things
A few times each year I’ll get email from people or organizations who wants me to give a nod of endorsement for what they do. It’s usually some new start up organization or person with a new take on an...
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