It has been another week of war and tragedy in Gaza, the West Bank, Sudan and Ukraine. We feel powerless in front of such tragedies. The way to overcome the 'gloom and doom' is often close to us, like engaging with our communities, or going back to our professional roots and do volunteer work. All this may give us a renewed purpose and energy.
Articles Not to Miss:
We encourage you to browse through all the articles we posted this week, but here are a few we hope you will not miss:
* Thomas Ekvall shares an article that he intends to publish elsewhere, but before doing so, he would appreciate a critical review by present or former UNICEF colleagues. Thomas writes that aid is worse than a waste of money, as it has impoverished Africa, kept corrupt leaders in power, and is causing mass migration to Europe.
* Ramesh Shrestha deals with the Davos' World Economic Forum and how it is becoming a gathering of status-seeking plutocrats who control the global economy without any concerns for the average citizens and the environment, yet, try to project their image as being good doers, see it here.
* Don’t miss Detlef's commentary on the book "Foreign Aid and Its Unintended Consequences". The author, Mr. Dirk-Jan Koch who has been with the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and spent several years in Nigeria, DRC and Kenya. Detlef says that “...if you make a living working for an aid organization like UNICEF, you may want to check out a new book that is available online and can be downloaded for free.”
* Richard Morgan sends us another poem: Sermon on the Plain
* Ken Gibbs continues with the second installment of his time series: The Station Clock
* Francis Dubois and Malika Abrous give us the sad news of the Passing of Reinhard Freiberg, in Malaga, Spain. When I was working for the Italian Foreign Ministry when Italy had pledged 100 million USD to finance immunization programmes in Africa, we traveled together to Mozambique. At that time, I appreciated Reinhard's sense of humour and negotiating abilities.
* Malika Abrous also shares "Rubble from Bone" by Tom Stevenson, which she calls "Stunning. The best piece I have read so far on Israel / Gaza."
* Robert Cohen shares the most recent IASC statement by the Principals warning that civilians in Gaza are in extreme peril while the world watches on, and laying down ten requirements to avoid an even worse catastrophe. Robert commented that this is the strongest statement yet, and " I wouldn’t be surprised if Israel PNGs all of the agencies."
* Kul Gautam shares a TED talk by 7 year-old Molly, Thrive by Five. "What if I was to tell you that a game of peek-a-boo could change the world?", she asks. Kul calls the video "fabulous".
* Neill McKee tells us that his recent book, "My University of the World: Adventures of an International Film & Media Maker", has been recognized as a Distinguished Favorite has been recognized as a Distinguished Favorite by Independent Press Awards.
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