AidBlogshttp://aidblogs.orgThe latest blog posts by aid workersenThu, 23 Feb 2012 13:39:00 PSThttp://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1hourly1Aidblogshttp://feedburner.google.comFace it, economist, you are a nerdhttp://aidblogs.org/face-it-economist-you-are-a-nerd/AidBlogsThu, 23 Feb 2012 13:39:00 PSThttp://aidblogs.org/?guid=0addd85a0a230ec0f1ad58ec7104fd8c
Face it economists: you do math, stats, and coding for a living. It's too late; you are a nerd. You are not a backslapping deal-making executive or a trash-talking caffeine-guzzling Goldman Sachs trader. You are a scientist of some sort, or at least you should be. Embrace it! (...)

Read the original article...

]]>Face it economists: you do math, stats, and coding for a living. It's too late; you are a nerd. You are not a backslapping deal-making executive or a trash-talking caffeine-guzzling Goldman Sachs trader. You are a scientist of some sort, or at least you should be. Embrace it! (...) Read the original article...http://aidblogs.org/face-it-economist-you-are-a-nerd/feed/0Answer to Steven.http://aidblogs.org/answer-to-steven/AidBlogsThu, 23 Feb 2012 11:27:52 PSThttp://itinerantindigent.wordpress.com/?p=1548My old, good friend Steven read the last post here and commented: ‘I’d value your current insights; questions that others might like to ask too:

So, do you want Kabul to be like Perth or Dubai? If so, how? 

If not, why not? (...)

Read the original article...

]]>My old, good friend Steven read the last post here and commented: ‘I’d value your current insights; questions that others might like to ask too: So, do you want Kabul to be like Perth or Dubai? If so, how?  If not, why not? (...) Read the original article...http://aidblogs.org/answer-to-steven/feed/0Put on Your White Sombrero: Best Group Blog 2011http://aidblogs.org/put-on-your-white-sombrero-best-group-blog-2011/AidBlogsThu, 23 Feb 2012 06:00:00 PSThttp://aidblogs.org/?guid=eed83d209f41595bf809bb358b460583 It's a tie! The killer pair of brilliant lawyers Kate and Amanda of Wronging Rights went toe to toe with the super think tankers at CGD and forced a draw. Not far behind are Why Dev and the World Bank Impact blog. I said there were no other close races in the ABBAs 2011 and boy was I wrong.

Why Dev - 15. (...)

Read the original article...

]]>It's a tie! The killer pair of brilliant lawyers Kate and Amanda of Wronging Rights went toe to toe with the super think tankers at CGD and forced a draw. Not far behind are Why Dev and the World Bank Impact blog. I said there were no other close races in the ABBAs 2011 and [...]http://aidblogs.org/put-on-your-white-sombrero-best-group-blog-2011/feed/0Thankful Thursdayhttp://aidblogs.org/thankful-thursday-9/UpdateAidBlogsThu, 23 Feb 2012 05:00:13 PSThttp://martynsinafrica.com/blog/?p=1759
We are VERY thankful for a sight like this. This is city water flowing! Our water tanks are filling up after being off for most of last week! Yea!!!!

(...)

Read the original article...

]]>We are VERY thankful for a sight like this. This is city water flowing! Our water tanks are filling up after being off for most of last week! Yea!!!! (...) Read the original article...http://aidblogs.org/thankful-thursday-9/feed/0Land Rights and Oil Pipelineshttp://aidblogs.org/land-rights-and-oil-pipelines/AidBlogsThu, 23 Feb 2012 02:35:00 PSThttp://aidblogs.org/?guid=81d6455ca6e64c036965828623a681dc

The film Quel Souvenir tells the story of the construction of an oil pipeline, with the help of the World Bank, to carry crude oil from Chad to Cameroon. It focuses on the lack of rights for the people who live along the planned pipeline. One of the issues at hand is the lack of land ownership. Without proper deeds, few people are able to make complete claims to their land.

There are many layers of powerlessness taking place here, but land ownership sits at the forefront. (...)

Read the original article...

]]>The film Quel Souvenir tells the story of the construction of an oil pipeline, with the help of the World Bank, to carry crude oil from Chad to Cameroon. It focuses on the lack of rights for the people who live along the planned pipeline. One of the issues at hand is the lack of [...]http://aidblogs.org/land-rights-and-oil-pipelines/feed/0Why success always begins with failurehttp://aidblogs.org/why-success-always-begins-with-failure/AidBlogsThu, 23 Feb 2012 01:28:35 PSThttp://www.owen.org/?p=5245

Tim Harford, the undercover economist.

In the latest episode of Development Drums, I talk to author Tim Harford. Known to readers of the Financial Times as The Undercover Economist, Tim’s latest book Adapt is a magnificent explanation of how complex systems emerge through a process of trial and error.

(...)

Read the original article...

]]>Tim Harford, the undercover economist. In the latest episode of Development Drums, I talk to author Tim Harford. Known to readers of the Financial Times as The Undercover Economist, Tim’s latest book Adapt is a magnificent explanation of how complex systems emerge through a process of trial and error. (...) Read the original article...http://aidblogs.org/why-success-always-begins-with-failure/feed/0That’s Me! Best Organizational Blog 2011http://aidblogs.org/thats-me-best-organizational-blog-2011/AidBlogsThu, 23 Feb 2012 01:00:00 PSThttp://aidblogs.org/?guid=46c2984dffc7982022bdd94d885753a7
The heavy hitters came out in full force with a race between the Center for Global Development, the World Bank and Oxfam (UK). Two group blogs against Duncan Green's From Poverty to Power ended in the triumph of the individual.

Center for Global Development - 27.8%
USAID Impact - 2.8%
Oxfam UK (From Poverty to Power) - 31. (...)

Read the original article...

]]>The heavy hitters came out in full force with a race between the Center for Global Development, the World Bank and Oxfam (UK). Two group blogs against Duncan Green's From Poverty to Power ended in the triumph of the individual. Center for Global Development - 27.8% USAID Impact - 2.8% Oxfam UK (From Poverty to [...]http://aidblogs.org/thats-me-best-organizational-blog-2011/feed/0The Best Debate of 2011 Went On and On and Onhttp://aidblogs.org/the-best-debate-of-2011-went-on-and-on-and-on/AidBlogsWed, 22 Feb 2012 06:00:00 PSThttp://aidblogs.org/?guid=8af12ad04b4b28274e3dd53883df9de6 Just when you thought the only game in town was Bill Easterly and Jeffrey Sachs, in come a set of researchers who sparked a whole new debate with Sachs. There is no doubt that the most talked about and read aid debate this year centered around Sachs's Millennium Village Project (MVP).

It all stared in late 2010 when Michel Clemens and Gabriel Demombynes published a paper calling into question the rigor of the MVP. A rather quiet back and forth ensued between the researchers and the MVP camp that simmered to the point of scheduling an open debate. People anticipated the chance to see the two sides discuss the MVP in a public setting, but were let down when it was ultimately canceled. (...)

Read the original article...

]]>Just when you thought the only game in town was Bill Easterly and Jeffrey Sachs, in come a set of researchers who sparked a whole new debate with Sachs. There is no doubt that the most talked about and read aid debate this year centered around Sachs's Millennium Village Project (MVP). It all stared in [...]http://aidblogs.org/the-best-debate-of-2011-went-on-and-on-and-on/feed/0Happy Birthday Grandad!http://aidblogs.org/happy-birthday-grandad/UpdateAidBlogsWed, 22 Feb 2012 05:00:30 PSThttp://martynsinafrica.com/blog/?p=1752February is Grandfather birthday month for us. The month started off with Pop’s birthday and is coming to an end with Grandad’s birthday! Here are a few pics of Avery wishing Grandad a very special day. We were having a hard time trying to have a true smile but thought the outtakes would be fun to show.

(...)

Read the original article...

]]>February is Grandfather birthday month for us. The month started off with Pop’s birthday and is coming to an end with Grandad’s birthday! Here are a few pics of Avery wishing Grandad a very special day. We were having a hard time trying to have a true smile but thought the outtakes would be fun [...]http://aidblogs.org/happy-birthday-grandad/feed/0When the counterfactual *really* mattershttp://aidblogs.org/when-the-counterfactual-really-matters/AidBlogsWed, 22 Feb 2012 03:46:00 PSThttp://aidblogs.org/?guid=ec82cf08b0c5db10863c2e11042518b4 Jonathan Portes, the Director of Britain's National Institute of Economic and Social Research has a great post up discussing the slightly controversial mandatory work experience placements in supermarkets for unemployed youngsters. Whether the scheme constitutes slave labour or not, it would be interesting to think for a second about its effectiveness.

The Minister in charge of the scheme has proudly trumpeted:
The fact is that 13 weeks after starting their placements, around 50 per cent of those taking part have either taken up permanent posts or have stopped claiming benefits.
Mr. Portes, formally a Chief Economist at the same government department, considers the counterfactual: claimants of job-seekers allowance (JSA) who do not participate in a work experience placement:
Off-flows from JSA remain high - almost 60% of claimants leave within three months
So you have a 60% chance of leaving benefits in 3 months unless you take part in this scheme, after which you only have a 50% chance. (...)

Read the original article...

]]>Jonathan Portes, the Director of Britain's National Institute of Economic and Social Research has a great post up discussing the slightly controversial mandatory work experience placements in supermarkets for unemployed youngsters. Whether the scheme constitutes slave labour or not, it would be interesting to think for a second about its effectiveness.The Minister in charge of [...]http://aidblogs.org/when-the-counterfactual-really-matters/feed/0What are we up to?http://aidblogs.org/what-are-we-up-to/AidBlogsWed, 22 Feb 2012 01:48:00 PSThttp://aidblogs.org/?guid=1cb032463c85aff1cfb88901c2cafc9f
Eli with 2 of our teachers: Nazir and Ali

Sorry it's been a while since we updated you. It seems like the past few weeks have been especially busy and stressful. We are now in the last 2 months of our time of language study here in Khartoum. We just finished Book 2/Level 2 and have been reviewing and studying for our big test next week. We will have 2 written tests and one 30-minute oral exam. (...)

Read the original article...

]]>Eli with 2 of our teachers: Nazir and Ali Sorry it's been a while since we updated you. It seems like the past few weeks have been especially busy and stressful. We are now in the last 2 months of our time of language study here in Khartoum. We just finished Book 2/Level 2 and [...]http://aidblogs.org/what-are-we-up-to/feed/0S.O.S. 2011 Tweeter of the Yearhttp://aidblogs.org/s-o-s-2011-tweeter-of-the-year/AidBlogsWed, 22 Feb 2012 00:57:00 PSThttp://aidblogs.org/?guid=70347e40126c4bacf7723fccb8447c52
Last year, Owen Barder took the title of best on twitter just beating out myself and Alanna Shaikh. This time, I remain in my position of runner up and the well loved Chris Blattman ascends to take the title of best on twitter.  With a rabid following of current and former students, the 'Blattman Bump' was again in full affect across many of the ABBAs categories. You will certainly see his name a few more times this week.


@calestous
4. (...)

Read the original article...

]]>Last year, Owen Barder took the title of best on twitter just beating out myself and Alanna Shaikh. This time, I remain in my position of runner up and the well loved Chris Blattman ascends to take the title of best on twitter.  With a rabid following of current and former students, the 'Blattman Bump' [...]http://aidblogs.org/s-o-s-2011-tweeter-of-the-year/feed/0Plans for a new pipeline for South Sudanhttp://aidblogs.org/plans-for-a-new-pipeline-for-south-sudan/UpdateAidBlogsTue, 21 Feb 2012 09:00:16 PSThttp://martynsinafrica.com/blog/?p=1769Looks like things are in the works for a new pipeline for South Sudan’s oil. Ethiopia, Kenya and South Sudan will share the cost for a “massive a transportation corridor project”. To read more about the details go to Sudan Tribune…

http://www.sudantribune. (...)

Read the original article...

]]>Looks like things are in the works for a new pipeline for South Sudan’s oil. Ethiopia, Kenya and South Sudan will share the cost for a “massive a transportation corridor project”. To read more about the details go to Sudan Tribune… http://www.sudantribune. (...) Read the original article...http://aidblogs.org/plans-for-a-new-pipeline-for-south-sudan/feed/0The Name of the Game: Best Snarkhttp://aidblogs.org/the-name-of-the-game-best-snark/AidBlogsTue, 21 Feb 2012 06:00:00 PSThttp://aidblogs.org/?guid=5a0543e886c40930336b9929dc8b134c Pining for an inclusion in the best tweeters category, Bill Easterly did not wallow in self pity for long and returned to what he does best: snark. With his eye on the prize and a new kid in town (Stuff Expat Aid Workers Like), Easterly lobbied through direct action and consistent snark.

Though it was close, he did manage to pull out the victory and retain the title for Best Snark 2011. It is possible that the nomination of SS and J may have taken away from the vote for SEAWL, but that can only be attributed to a lack of coordination and consolidation of the vote.

Bill Easterly - 29. (...)

Read the original article...

]]>Pining for an inclusion in the best tweeters category, Bill Easterly did not wallow in self pity for long and returned to what he does best: snark. With his eye on the prize and a new kid in town (Stuff Expat Aid Workers Like), Easterly lobbied through direct action and consistent snark. Though it was [...]http://aidblogs.org/the-name-of-the-game-best-snark/feed/0Happy 14 months little man!http://aidblogs.org/happy-14-months-little-man/UpdateAidBlogsTue, 21 Feb 2012 03:43:34 PSThttp://martynsinafrica.com/blog/?p=1748We love this little guy and are enjoying his personality coming out more and more. What a bundle of fun. Avery and he are really starting to play with each other and it is so fun to watch them interact. Our home is full of laughter, giggles and Avery and Larson “singing” to each other, what a joy.

(...)

Read the original article...

]]>We love this little guy and are enjoying his personality coming out more and more. What a bundle of fun. Avery and he are really starting to play with each other and it is so fun to watch them interact. Our home is full of laughter, giggles and Avery and Larson “singing” to each other, [...]http://aidblogs.org/happy-14-months-little-man/feed/0BACK TO THE NURSERYhttp://aidblogs.org/back-to-the-nursery/AidBlogsTue, 21 Feb 2012 02:49:00 PSThttp://aidblogs.org/?guid=4df0f0968f141ca928460838674e6c76Introducing . . . After two weeks of the CMDA conference and a field trip to Naivasha's maternity and neonatal programs . . (...)

Read the original article...

]]>Introducing . . . After two weeks of the CMDA conference and a field trip to Naivasha's maternity and neonatal programs . . (...) Read the original article...http://aidblogs.org/back-to-the-nursery/feed/0South Kordofan is Not Darfur, Mr. Kristofhttp://aidblogs.org/south-kordofan-is-not-darfur-mr-kristof/AidBlogsTue, 21 Feb 2012 02:00:00 PSThttp://aidblogs.org/?guid=92faeabc25d5d895c1a4253319c4a209 Nick Kristof is back in Sudan to sound the alarm over the situation in South Kordofan and Blue Nile States. Situated on the border between Sudan and South Sudan, the two states have experienced a steady amount of bombings and fighting between the government of Sudan and SPLA rebels since November. In fact, it stretches back further, but the intensity of fighting and attacks have increased over the past few months.

Kristof writes in his Sunday OpEd for the New York Times,
Bombings, ground attacks and sexual violence — part of Sudan's scorched-earth counterinsurgency strategy — have driven hundreds of thousands of people from their homes in South Kordofan, the Sudanese state where the Nuba Mountains are located. In some ways, the brutality here feels like an echo of what Sudan did in Darfur, only now it is Nubans who are targets. (...)

Read the original article...

]]>Nick Kristof is back in Sudan to sound the alarm over the situation in South Kordofan and Blue Nile States. Situated on the border between Sudan and South Sudan, the two states have experienced a steady amount of bombings and fighting between the government of Sudan and SPLA rebels since November. In fact, it stretches [...]http://aidblogs.org/south-kordofan-is-not-darfur-mr-kristof/feed/0Best Blog Series: It’s Like Two for the Price of One, but Betterhttp://aidblogs.org/best-blog-series-its-like-two-for-the-price-of-one-but-better/AidBlogsTue, 21 Feb 2012 00:13:00 PSThttp://aidblogs.org/?guid=ffe50427f9c30fbd228c92d964368b6e The aid blog sensation Stuff Expat Aid Workers that captured the hearts and minds of former and current expat aid workers ran away with the title of best series. What started as a joke on twitter blossomed into a collaboration between J and Shotgun shack that now includes 138 things expat aid workers like from a swath of contributors and even a resident cartoonist.

The final tally:

Brett Keller - Machine Gun Preacher -11.2%
Dave Algoso - Aid Blog Survey Results - 7.8%
Stuff Expat Aid Workers Like (in its entirety)50. (...)

Read the original article...

]]>The aid blog sensation Stuff Expat Aid Workers that captured the hearts and minds of former and current expat aid workers ran away with the title of best series. What started as a joke on twitter blossomed into a collaboration between J and Shotgun shack that now includes 138 things expat aid workers like from [...]http://aidblogs.org/best-blog-series-its-like-two-for-the-price-of-one-but-better/feed/0How We Travelhttp://aidblogs.org/how-we-travel-2/AidBlogsMon, 20 Feb 2012 10:21:00 PSThttp://aidblogs.org/?guid=dfdae93900ed7f9b3000986c90142b39Read the original article...

]]>Let me just say it. Because unless you have been to Congo you probably can't really imagine. It is a miracle. Point blank. The fact that you can purchase a handmade bag from Congo. (...) Read the original article...http://aidblogs.org/how-we-travel-2/feed/0When All is Said and Done The 2011 Post of the Yearhttp://aidblogs.org/when-all-is-said-and-done-the-2011-post-of-the-year/AidBlogsMon, 20 Feb 2012 06:00:00 PSThttp://aidblogs.org/?guid=7329307f3e4e65c2c87e34f3b875d93e
“We seriously f**ked up. More than once, actually. All the time, actually. Disaster response is impossible to get 100% right 100% of the time. You know how it is from watching TV: it’s a disaster. (...)

Read the original article...

]]>“We seriously f**ked up. More than once, actually. All the time, actually. Disaster response is impossible to get 100% right 100% of the time. You know how it is from watching TV: it’s a disaster. (...) Read the original article...http://aidblogs.org/when-all-is-said-and-done-the-2011-post-of-the-year/feed/0#138 Rebels, Militias and Freedom Fightershttp://aidblogs.org/138-rebels-militias-and-freedom-fighters/AidBlogsMon, 20 Feb 2012 05:11:01 PSThttp://stuffexpataidworkerslike.com/?p=3146submitted by D, edited by SgS

Part of being enigmatic when talking about being an expat aid worker or blogging for the folks back home is casually dropping in names of things, places and people who those with regular jobs and mundane lifestyles have not even remotely heard of.

An especially effective way to do this is to mention a rebel group.

(...)

Read the original article...

]]>submitted by D, edited by SgS Part of being enigmatic when talking about being an expat aid worker or blogging for the folks back home is casually dropping in names of things, places and people who those with regular jobs and mundane lifestyles have not even remotely heard of. An especially effective way to do this [...]http://aidblogs.org/138-rebels-militias-and-freedom-fighters/feed/0As Good As The Best New Blog of 2011http://aidblogs.org/as-good-as-the-best-new-blog-of-2011/AidBlogsMon, 20 Feb 2012 02:47:00 PSThttp://aidblogs.org/?guid=b1c06dc479f61f731f78fe26790e085b
Shotgun Shack's bid for an unprecedented back-to-back win of the "Best New Blog" title was derailed by a surge in votes for Shana Johnson's Development Crossroads.  Shana is a unique entrant in the group as she provides advice and coaching for international aid and development professionals.

The voting* proceeded a follows:



Stuff Expat Aid Workers Like -http://stuffexpataidworkerslike.com/
23.8%
World Bank Development Impact Blog -http://blogs. (...)

Read the original article...

]]>Shotgun Shack's bid for an unprecedented back-to-back win of the "Best New Blog" title was derailed by a surge in votes for Shana Johnson's Development Crossroads.  Shana is a unique entrant in the group as she provides advice and coaching for international aid and development professionals. The voting* proceeded a follows: Stuff Expat Aid Workers [...]http://aidblogs.org/as-good-as-the-best-new-blog-of-2011/feed/0Interventions So Simple They Are Complicatedhttp://aidblogs.org/interventions-so-simple-they-are-complicated/AidBlogsMon, 20 Feb 2012 00:43:00 PSThttp://aidblogs.org/?guid=b2fa79c3380062f06467de55fee4cc14
Chlorine water filter and doser

It is so simple! Breastfeeding can improve the health of infants dramatically. Well, yes, that is true but the whole thing about it being simple is a bit of a problem. Karen Grepin shares a personal anecdote as to why:
Honestly, if I hear another public health official (frequently male) allude to the fact that breastfeeding is among the simplest interventions available I think I am going to lose it. I can tell you from first hand experience, breastfeeding was among the most physically and emotionally challenging aspects of raising my own son. (...)

Read the original article...

]]>It is so simple! Breastfeeding can improve the health of infants dramatically. Well, yes, that is true but the whole thing about it being simple is a bit of a problem. Karen Grepin shares a personal anecdote as to why: Honestly, if I hear another public health official (frequently male) allude to the fact that [...]http://aidblogs.org/interventions-so-simple-they-are-complicated/feed/0Gigglingbob’s Weekly Twitshttp://aidblogs.org/gigglingbobs-weekly-twits-45/TweetsAidBlogsSun, 19 Feb 2012 17:10:00 PSThttp://robrooker.com/blog/archives/972hanaosman: On Feb. 18th two of the top Sudanese Legends have passed away Mohammed Wardi (2012) & AlTayeb Salih (2009) #Sudan #RIPWardi # i need about 36 hours to the day… # My power cable its dead for my mac book… Anyone know best place to [...]

Read the original article...

]]>RT @hanaosman: On Feb. 18th two of the top Sudanese Legends have passed away Mohammed Wardi (2012) & AlTayeb Salih (2009) #Sudan #RIPWardi # i need about 36 hours to the day… # My power cable its dead for my mac book… Anyone know best place to [...] Read the original article...http://aidblogs.org/gigglingbobs-weekly-twits-45/feed/0Gigglingbob’s Weekly Twitshttp://aidblogs.org/gigglingbobs-weekly-twits-44/TweetsAidBlogsSun, 19 Feb 2012 17:10:00 PSThttp://robrooker.com/blog/archives/973hanaosman: On Feb. 18th two of the top Sudanese Legends have passed away Mohammed Wardi (2012) & AlTayeb Salih (2009) #Sudan #RIPWardi # i need about 36 hours to the day… # My power cable its dead for my mac book… Anyone know best place to [...]

Read the original article...

]]>RT @hanaosman: On Feb. 18th two of the top Sudanese Legends have passed away Mohammed Wardi (2012) & AlTayeb Salih (2009) #Sudan #RIPWardi # i need about 36 hours to the day… # My power cable its dead for my mac book… Anyone know best place to [...] Read the original article...http://aidblogs.org/gigglingbobs-weekly-twits-44/feed/0Lenthttp://aidblogs.org/lent/UpdateAidBlogsSun, 19 Feb 2012 12:49:30 PSThttp://martynsinafrica.com/blog/?p=1745There are a few quick and easy online devotionals I look at from time to time, upper room is one of them. Today’s devotional was about what one reader gave up for a past Lent. I appreciate this idea rather than giving up chocolate, pop, or coffee. Not to get caught up in an act, but I would like to encourage others to take this Lent season to focus on the life of Jesus and prepare our hearts for Easter. Perhaps that would be in choosing to give something up or add something like spending more time in the Word. (...)

Read the original article...

]]>There are a few quick and easy online devotionals I look at from time to time, upper room is one of them. Today’s devotional was about what one reader gave up for a past Lent. I appreciate this idea rather than giving up chocolate, pop, or coffee. Not to get caught up in an act, [...]http://aidblogs.org/lent/feed/0Farewells and Family Dayshttp://aidblogs.org/farewells-and-family-days/AidBlogsSun, 19 Feb 2012 10:19:00 PSThttp://aidblogs.org/?guid=5c03acc3dd31c67e9e9822fc402d4391
One of the celebrations, the main one, was Dad Lagore's birthday. Now, his birthday fell on the same day that Dwight was scheduled to leave for Moz (Monday), so the birthday dinner was slated for a few days earlier so we could all be together for it.

His mystery age is in the candles, if you can see them from there. (...)

Read the original article...

]]>Although tomorrow is Alberta's official "Family Day", many people are celebrating it today already. My own family (husband and kids) are all off in different locations, so it's a good thing we had some family celebrations last week already.One of the celebrations, the main one, was Dad Lagore's birthday. Now, his birthday fell on the [...]http://aidblogs.org/farewells-and-family-days/feed/0A harsh winterhttp://aidblogs.org/a-harsh-winter/AidBlogsSat, 18 Feb 2012 09:56:11 PSThttp://itinerantindigent.wordpress.com/?p=1540We are headed for Dubai. It is intended to a be a short break in the middle of winter, and a break that does not involve death or bush fires or crisis. I am badly overworked and Julie not far behind.

As we drive to the airport, Mohammed Ali, asks me where we are going. (...)

Read the original article...

]]>We are headed for Dubai. It is intended to a be a short break in the middle of winter, and a break that does not involve death or bush fires or crisis. I am badly overworked and Julie not far behind. As we drive to the airport, Mohammed Ali, asks me where we are going. [...]http://aidblogs.org/a-harsh-winter/feed/0The economics of the UK housing benefit caphttp://aidblogs.org/the-economics-of-the-uk-housing-benefit-cap/AidBlogsSat, 18 Feb 2012 06:38:00 PSThttp://aidblogs.org/?guid=3868d93656340bfd6b0aa4e88b042aac I'm as liberal as they come. Economically and socially. I believe in markets, but I also believe that we need massive redistribution to ensure effective safety nets and fair life chances for all children. But sometimes, the Guardian, you just take bleeding heart liberalism to whole new levels.

Yesterday you invited us to feel sympathy for Amira and her four children, who are losing their publicly-funded £812 a week flat near Edgware Road because of the new cap on housing benefits. (...)

Read the original article...

]]>I'm as liberal as they come. Economically and socially. I believe in markets, but I also believe that we need massive redistribution to ensure effective safety nets and fair life chances for all children. But sometimes, the Guardian, you just take bleeding heart liberalism to whole new levels. Yesterday you invited us to feel sympathy [...]http://aidblogs.org/the-economics-of-the-uk-housing-benefit-cap/feed/0Untapped potentialhttp://aidblogs.org/untapped-potential/AidBlogsFri, 17 Feb 2012 08:52:03 PSThttp://aidblogs.org/?guid=479a68f0d392800e7305eb3fe2e4b303

Congo should be the 'bread basket' of Africa. However, it imports food but not enough to feed its people.
That's a crime against humanity! Or it should be.

(...)

Read the original article...

]]>Congo should be the 'bread basket' of Africa. However, it imports food but not enough to feed its people. That's a crime against humanity! Or it should be. (...) Read the original article...http://aidblogs.org/untapped-potential/feed/0#4 Links Expat Aid Workers Likehttp://aidblogs.org/4-links-expat-aid-workers-like/AidBlogsFri, 17 Feb 2012 06:49:34 PSThttp://stuffexpataidworkerslike.com/?p=4216We profiled 50 Cent’s visit to Somalia and Kenya in last week’s Links Expat Aid Workers Like, and to our delight, received this heartfelt poem from EAW M&E specialist Elliot Seeger…

An Open Letter to Fiddy from An Aidworker Fan

Dear Fif,

I’ve liked you since you first signed with Eminem
Even copped the vinyl of ‘Many Men’
Not only concerned with getting paid
But dabbling in humanitarian aid

Hip-hop needs to rise above the beef
And focus on emergency relief
Now that your record sales exceed 10 million
Perhaps you and I could feed a billion

(...)

Read the original article...

]]>We profiled 50 Cent’s visit to Somalia and Kenya in last week’s Links Expat Aid Workers Like, and to our delight, received this heartfelt poem from EAW M&E specialist Elliot Seeger… An Open Letter to Fiddy from An Aidworker Fan Dear Fif, I’ve liked you since you first signed with Eminem Even copped the vinyl of [...]http://aidblogs.org/4-links-expat-aid-workers-like/feed/0The evolving art of political economy analysishttp://aidblogs.org/the-evolving-art-of-political-economy-analysis/AidBlogsFri, 17 Feb 2012 00:30:00 PSThttp://aidblogs.org/?guid=b1256dc7aa7bd00539fa847bc59e6e0f
This is a guest-post by Richard Williams, summarising his new OPM Development Futures paper, co-authored with James Copestake of the University of Bath

Over the last 15 years, development actors have increasingly recognised the political and messy nature of reform. Prescribing best practice solutions has often failed given the differing perspectives, capacity and motivations of stakeholders on each side of the aid relationship. Political economy analysis (PEA) has emerged in response to help practitioners close this gap and understand the reform environment in which they are acting. This has led to more realism in the aid industry with more open discussions of power, political culture, ethnic divisions, corruption, sources of opposition and indifference, and so on.

However, PEA as it stands risks becoming another routine element in aid programming, rather than a transforming, innovative influence on how development practice works. (...)

Read the original article...

]]>This is a guest-post by Richard Williams, summarising his new OPM Development Futures paper, co-authored with James Copestake of the University of Bath Over the last 15 years, development actors have increasingly recognised the political and messy nature of reform. Prescribing best practice solutions has often failed given the differing perspectives, capacity and motivations of [...]http://aidblogs.org/the-evolving-art-of-political-economy-analysis/feed/0Thoughts on rainbows, sacrifice, transition, and hopehttp://aidblogs.org/thoughts-on-rainbows-sacrifice-transition-and-hope/AidBlogsThu, 16 Feb 2012 23:09:00 PSThttp://aidblogs.org/?guid=9c18889d3075ee84bb1bc12a01c25437Read the original article...

]]>Early morning darkness, a faint smattering of rain staccatos on our plastic mbati roof then peters out. After two weeks of daily all-day commutes to our continuing medical education conference at Brackenhurst, there is finally time to squeeze in a short run with Star before the day begins. The dust of a nearly two-month drought [...]http://aidblogs.org/thoughts-on-rainbows-sacrifice-transition-and-hope/feed/0Why has poverty fallen in Rwanda?http://aidblogs.org/why-has-poverty-fallen-in-rwanda/AidBlogsThu, 16 Feb 2012 07:33:00 PSThttp://aidblogs.org/?guid=429b70fb767b7857f4c390de433a296a Following the presentation of the headline 12% point reduction in poverty over the last 5 years in Rwanda, the full reports are now available from the National Institute of Statistics (here and here).
One contributory factor will be the reduction in average household size over the period (implying reduced consumption needs); this is consistent with the declining fertility rate reported in the DHS surveys.
Based on the income data, the survey results show an important increase in the contribution of wage income and also an increase in income from transfers; the share of agricultural income falls modestly though remains the majority source of income.
Analysis of the survey data confirms the importance of wage activity by identifying that there has been substantial creation of jobs, predominantly in non-farm activities, over the past five years. Which areas these jobs are in, still needs to be investigated in subsequent work. (...)

Read the original article...

]]>Following the presentation of the headline 12% point reduction in poverty over the last 5 years in Rwanda, the full reports are now available from the National Institute of Statistics (here and here). One contributory factor will be the reduction in average household size over the period (implying reduced consumption needs); this is consistent with [...]http://aidblogs.org/why-has-poverty-fallen-in-rwanda/feed/0Thankful Thursdayhttp://aidblogs.org/thankful-thursday-8/UpdateAidBlogsThu, 16 Feb 2012 05:00:15 PSThttp://martynsinafrica.com/blog/?p=1732Now that things are settling down and life is getting more “normal”, I want to keep up with the Thankful Thursday posts. Taking a moment to gather my thoughts, something I am thankful for is forgiveness. First and most obvious is for God forgiving my sins. Secondly, I am also appreciative of the forgiveness of others. Whether it is my attitude, words, actions, I could go on and on…I am so thankful to family and friends in my life who have forgave me and reconciled our relationships. (...)

Read the original article...

]]>Now that things are settling down and life is getting more “normal”, I want to keep up with the Thankful Thursday posts. Taking a moment to gather my thoughts, something I am thankful for is forgiveness. First and most obvious is for God forgiving my sins. Secondly, I am also appreciative of the forgiveness of [...]http://aidblogs.org/thankful-thursday-8/feed/0How we travelhttp://aidblogs.org/how-we-travel/AidBlogsWed, 15 Feb 2012 20:13:00 PSThttp://aidblogs.org/?guid=97077dc469b02892c3da32e2a6fffbf7Read the original article...

]]>Let me just say it. Because unless you have been to Congo you probably can't really imagine. It is a miracle. Point blank. The fact that you can purchase a handmade bag from Congo. (...) Read the original article...http://aidblogs.org/how-we-travel/feed/0Economical Writinghttp://aidblogs.org/economical-writing/AidBlogsWed, 15 Feb 2012 13:42:00 PSThttp://aidblogs.org/?guid=44faa7d11a486ed5f0d462cbf19e0914
The main cause of bad writing in economics is that economists don't read good writing. If economists would read Jane Austen or George Orwell, or even Adam Smith or Thomas Schelling, in bulk, daily, habitually, they would improve.
Deirdre McCloskey (HT: Abhijeet Singh)

Read the original article...

]]>The main cause of bad writing in economics is that economists don't read good writing. If economists would read Jane Austen or George Orwell, or even Adam Smith or Thomas Schelling, in bulk, daily, habitually, they would improve. Deirdre McCloskey (HT: Abhijeet Singh) Read the original article...http://aidblogs.org/economical-writing/feed/0Ending world hungerhttp://aidblogs.org/ending-world-hunger/AidBlogsWed, 15 Feb 2012 12:14:00 PSThttp://aidblogs.org/?guid=7bd0be172cbf251264d8042d25a24565
Duncan Green is right on point in the Guardian:
Some 850 million people (one in eight of the world's population) go to bed hungry every night. Many of them are children, for whom early hunger leaves a lifelong legacy of cognitive and physical impairment. The human and economic waste is horrifying ...
Damaged bodies and brains are a moral scandal and a tragic waste of economic potential. That hunger exists at all shows the urgency of redistributing income and assets to achieve a fairer world. (...)

Read the original article...

]]>Duncan Green is right on point in the Guardian: Some 850 million people (one in eight of the world's population) go to bed hungry every night. Many of them are children, for whom early hunger leaves a lifelong legacy of cognitive and physical impairment. The human and economic waste is horrifying ... Damaged bodies and [...]http://aidblogs.org/ending-world-hunger/feed/0Where the ABBAs (and ‘Aid Blogging’) Fall Shorthttp://aidblogs.org/where-the-abbas-and-aid-blogging-fall-short/AidBlogsWed, 15 Feb 2012 05:45:00 PSThttp://aidblogs.org/?guid=27746590e3025bdda049a8c7ac99e382 The vote for the second Aid Blogger's Best Awards (ABBAs) just came to a close. There have been a few comments via the initial survey, the final vote and twitter that should be addressed.

The ABBAs in fall short in too many ways.

In the most recent edition all of the twitter nominees were men. There are many many great women on twitter could have easily been listed and are deserving of a follow. (...)

Read the original article...

]]>The vote for the second Aid Blogger's Best Awards (ABBAs) just came to a close. There have been a few comments via the initial survey, the final vote and twitter that should be addressed. The ABBAs in fall short in too many ways. In the most recent edition all of the twitter nominees were men. [...]http://aidblogs.org/where-the-abbas-and-aid-blogging-fall-short/feed/0Avery’s Birthday….take two!http://aidblogs.org/averys-birthday%e2%80%a6-take-two/UpdateAidBlogsWed, 15 Feb 2012 04:26:12 PSThttp://martynsinafrica.com/blog/?p=1728Our Avery is such a special gal that she got to celebrate her birthday twice, and on two continents no less! Last Saturday, we had a simple birthday gathering of old and new friends at an awesome restaurant that just re-opened. They have a great playground all around the garden to keep them entertained, so it is a treat for parents as well. To make the day even more special we took her to feed the giraffes, one of her favorite activities. She was so excited to also get a giraffe ballon animal. (...)

Read the original article...

]]>Our Avery is such a special gal that she got to celebrate her birthday twice, and on two continents no less! Last Saturday, we had a simple birthday gathering of old and new friends at an awesome restaurant that just re-opened. They have a great playground all around the garden to keep them entertained, so [...]http://aidblogs.org/averys-birthday%e2%80%a6-take-two/feed/0SIM Kenya Spiritual Life Conferencehttp://aidblogs.org/sim-kenya-spiritual-life-conference/UpdateAidBlogsWed, 15 Feb 2012 03:31:04 PSThttp://martynsinafrica.com/blog/?p=1725Earlier this month we had the chance to go to the SIM Kenya Spiritual Life Conference. Each SIM field gets together once a year for a chance to hear from other ministries in the country and have a time of worship and teaching as a team. It was a good chance to catch up on the past months we have been away and see faces we had not seen since last year’s conference. The kiddos enjoyed seeing their friends and playing on the wonderful playground.

(...)

Read the original article...

]]>Earlier this month we had the chance to go to the SIM Kenya Spiritual Life Conference. Each SIM field gets together once a year for a chance to hear from other ministries in the country and have a time of worship and teaching as a team. It was a good chance to catch up on [...]http://aidblogs.org/sim-kenya-spiritual-life-conference/feed/0Pictures from Hell’s Gatehttp://aidblogs.org/pictures-from-hells-gate/AidBlogsTue, 14 Feb 2012 12:18:00 PSThttp://aidblogs.org/?guid=47af00b53a190701d1a9448dc6143740

Read the original article...

]]>Read the original article...http://aidblogs.org/pictures-from-hells-gate/feed/0Updates to comehttp://aidblogs.org/updates-to-come/UpdateAidBlogsTue, 14 Feb 2012 10:25:04 PSThttp://martynsinafrica.com/blog/?p=1723I am coming out of the fog after having some email and then trying to salvage some accidentally deleted pictures of the last few months. I hope to have more updates and even a video tour of our new place this week. Stay tuned!

Read the original article...

]]>I am coming out of the fog after having some email and then trying to salvage some accidentally deleted pictures of the last few months. I hope to have more updates and even a video tour of our new place this week. Stay tuned! Read the original article...http://aidblogs.org/updates-to-come/feed/0A consultant’s love lifehttp://aidblogs.org/a-consultants-love-life/AidBlogsTue, 14 Feb 2012 08:54:00 PSThttp://aidblogs.org/?guid=1373be2e75d95bfac2366634f110e020 An oldie but a goodie, if you haven't seen this yet, I think it is probably better than most of the other economist-chart valentine's jokes doing the rounds.

Romance: A BCG Analysis
HT: Steve

Read the original article...

]]>An oldie but a goodie, if you haven't seen this yet, I think it is probably better than most of the other economist-chart valentine's jokes doing the rounds. Romance: A BCG Analysis HT: Steve Read the original article...http://aidblogs.org/a-consultants-love-life/feed/0AidSourcehttp://aidblogs.org/aidsource/AidBlogsTue, 14 Feb 2012 04:04:10 PSThttp://shotgunshackblog.com/?p=2814I’m super excited to let you know about a new project I’m part of…

AidSource: The Humanitarian Social Network.

AidSource is something that I’ve been working on with Tales From the Hood and Alanna Shaikh. (...)

Read the original article...

]]>I’m super excited to let you know about a new project I’m part of… AidSource: The Humanitarian Social Network. AidSource is something that I’ve been working on with Tales From the Hood and Alanna Shaikh. (...) Read the original article...http://aidblogs.org/aidsource/feed/0#137 Being ‘cutting edge’http://aidblogs.org/137-being-cutting-edge/AidBlogsTue, 14 Feb 2012 03:47:37 PSThttp://stuffexpataidworkerslike.com/?p=4218Expat Aid Workers love to believe that they are cutting edge. Above all else, whether they’re busy innovating, doing some awesome/rigorous RCTs, enlightening those around them (via well-placed righteous indignation), or explaining the intricate subtleties of local culture to locals, EAWs make a point of knowing what is going on in the aid world.

Which is why this public service announcement is of such critical importance…

You heard about it right here just a few days ago. (...)

Read the original article...

]]>Expat Aid Workers love to believe that they are cutting edge. Above all else, whether they’re busy innovating, doing some awesome/rigorous RCTs, enlightening those around them (via well-placed righteous indignation), or explaining the intricate subtleties of local culture to locals, EAWs make a point of knowing what is going on in the aid world. Which is [...]http://aidblogs.org/137-being-cutting-edge/feed/0UNDP is hiring an international fitness instructor for its Juba staffhttp://aidblogs.org/undp-is-hiring-an-international-fitness-instructor-for-its-juba-staff/AidBlogsMon, 13 Feb 2012 13:02:00 PSThttp://aidblogs.org/?guid=41acecc8d40370ccd28fef79c3e76df8 Update: Samer Abu Hawilih states in the comments that this is "not funded by UNDP or donor funds. This is a staff-led initiative, through the Staff Association and Wellbeing Office." Thanks for the clarification Samer.
international personnel are placed in non-family posts in South Sudan under hardship conditions, displacing them from their culture and normal support networks.
All personnel are struggling to cope with the chronic stress of working within a post-conflict environment in which few counseling, social support, and other support and recreational services are available. (...)

Read the original article...

]]>Update: Samer Abu Hawilih states in the comments that this is "not funded by UNDP or donor funds. This is a staff-led initiative, through the Staff Association and Wellbeing Office." Thanks for the clarification Samer. international personnel are placed in non-family posts in South Sudan under hardship conditions, displacing them from their culture and normal [...]http://aidblogs.org/undp-is-hiring-an-international-fitness-instructor-for-its-juba-staff/feed/0Why don’t microenterprises grow?http://aidblogs.org/why-dont-microenterprises-grow/AidBlogsMon, 13 Feb 2012 10:15:00 PSThttp://aidblogs.org/?guid=4521dc8e0f9315de7a95e45607aa3625
A couple of very interesting ideas from David McKenzie that I hadn't heard before in the second part of his interview with Tim Ogden: (here is part one)

maybe microenteprises are viable because the "reserve wage" of their owners is so low;
If you start trying to value the opportunity cost of that labor and you calculate it at some sort of market wage rate quickly you'll find that many of these businesses look unprofitable ...
why it is that microfinance can get a woman to run somewhat profitable businesses with chickens and things but they never get those businesses to grow into something greater. And the whole thing is that the women in these Asian countries have no other options. When their time value is 0 they can do this but as soon as they have to hire somebody at market wage it becomes unprofitable to expand.
and measuring microenterprise profit is generally really really hard;
if you look at the Banerjee and Duflo Spandana paper, for instance, there's a huge amount of noise in their profits data. (...)

Read the original article...

]]>A couple of very interesting ideas from David McKenzie that I hadn't heard before in the second part of his interview with Tim Ogden: (here is part one) maybe microenteprises are viable because the "reserve wage" of their owners is so low; If you start trying to value the opportunity cost of that labor and [...]http://aidblogs.org/why-dont-microenterprises-grow/feed/0Urbanization in Africahttp://aidblogs.org/urbanization-in-africa/AidBlogsMon, 13 Feb 2012 08:59:00 PSThttp://aidblogs.org/?guid=0d860c5f9dfa42a8038bc70c361b8a4b
Sean Fox, a cities expert at the LSE has a great new post up at the Africa@LSE Blog discussing how incorrect analysis has been leading to poor policy for years.

The popular mental model is that there is massive rural-urban migration in search of jobs.
"Since the mid-1970s, African governments have increasingly adopted policies designed to inhibit or discourage people from moving into urban areas. Today, approximately 80% of African countries have policies in place to prevent rural-urban migration. At the same time, international development organisations increasingly withdrew support for urban development initiatives in favour of rural development projects, often justified by the argument (among others) that improving standards of living in rural areas will help to mitigate the growth of urban poverty. (...)

Read the original article...

]]>Sean Fox, a cities expert at the LSE has a great new post up at the Africa@LSE Blog discussing how incorrect analysis has been leading to poor policy for years. The popular mental model is that there is massive rural-urban migration in search of jobs. "Since the mid-1970s, African governments have increasingly adopted policies designed [...]http://aidblogs.org/urbanization-in-africa/feed/0A Sunday Drive to Rememberhttp://aidblogs.org/a-sunday-drive-to-remember/AidBlogsMon, 13 Feb 2012 05:27:00 PSThttp://aidblogs.org/?guid=71bee78e15425ff12cfcdd9ea91ab613Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, the Giraffe Sanctuary, and then about four hours cruising around Nairobi National Park on a little mini safari.

I didn't mind going back to see the baby elephants, particularly when there was a little weenie one this time and they also had a mud bath to play in. This was my favourite pic of the day:

and I thought this guy was particularly talented...'look Ma, no hands! (...)

Read the original article...

]]>I think I would have enjoyed my family's Sunday drives more when I was a kid, had they been more like my day yesterday. I went with two friends to the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, the Giraffe Sanctuary, and then about four hours cruising around Nairobi National Park on a little mini safari.I didn't mind going [...]http://aidblogs.org/a-sunday-drive-to-remember/feed/0