Aidnography

Hi all, We just received a record number of 26 MA theses that need grading, I managed to publish a new book review & there's plenty #globaldev stuff to read as well Happy weekend! My quotes of the week The process of receiving, studying and responding to an RFP doesn’t do much to further a relationship. I get a general email, read a general document and write a response. There’s no space built in to that process for us to get to know one another. Instead, you are left making assumptions about me, and I about you – based on a single RFP. (Mary Cahalane) “The reason we have the triple threats of disconnection of people from society, mistrust of institutions, and the rising tide of populism is because we have structurally underinvested in [civil society],”(...) “We have let the local community pillar break down and wither.” (Andy Haldane, Chief Economist Bank of England) Enjoy! New from aidnography Humanitarian Wars? (book review) Brauman revisits those ‘forgotten

It does not happen often, but I think a German word actually captures the essence of Rony Brauman’s book Humanitarian Wars? Lies and Brainwashing best: The word is Streitschrift and the translation polemic does not really capture the nuances of the genre well. In just over 100 pages and in the form of a conversation with Régis Meyran (and translated by Nina Friedman), Brauman provokes discussion, sometimes disagreement and provides always substantial intellectual food for thought.  In the eyes of Rony Brauman of MSF, wars are always triggered in the name of morality. Today’s ‘humanitarian’ interventions are little more than new crusades – and their justifications are based on lies. (…) Without being militantly non-interventionist, Brauman is extremely suspicious of the thirst for war displayed by many of today’s world leaders, the consequences of which are devastating (jacket cover). This captures the tone and scope of the book well-Brauman is always critical about justific

Hi all,  A slightly belated link review-again due to travel. This week I spent some fantastic days in Odessa with colleagues of our internationalization project . It's a fantastic city and I'm really happy that my job allows for these fantastic opportunities, networks & encounters of beautiful places! However, the #globaldev universe did not stand still and there are stories about humanitarian challenges in Yemen, WHO travel, returning & new blogging voices as well as a Senegalese soap opera & 'McMindfulness'! My quotes of the week On Jared Diamond's new book: Until recently, in much of American life, and American writing, the default setting of human being was white and/or male. Today so much writing shatters this default, complicates the point of view. And “Upheaval” reminds us why that matters (Anand Giridharadas). On the challenges of collaboratibe research projects in dangerous environments: (M)any Western universities have strict prot

Hi all, I'm back in Sweden and as the semester is reaching peak season I wish I had a little bit more time for blogging...but this week's #globaldev readings are definitely worth your time! Highlights include: UNCTAD in trouble; millennials deserting the army; a manifesto for rethining disaster studies; the 'dronepocalypse' in documentaries (and #globaldev comm?) & the economist highlighting the role of women and their bodies in history-including through naked protest. Plus book recommendations & entertaining Tweets ;)! My quote of the week comes from Faiza Shaheen on the all-white UK inequality review panel: I can tell you that those who occupy these prestigious influential positions keep missing three key things in their analysis of inequality – namely the importance of power, of prejudice and of the elitist political system. Could it be because they’ve always had power, never experienced prejudice and have friends working in politics? Enjoy! Develop