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Voices in Wartime: The Anthology

Sometimes simply talking about a subject is a radical act. Such is the case with talking about experiences of war during a period of hostile political polarization. That's why Voices in Wartime: The Anthology is such an important book. Edited by Andrew Himes, who founded Project Alchemy as well, the book as a whole takes no position on any particular war other than the premise that our hearts need to be opened to the voices of those who have experienced them. Through poetry, stories, and reflection, we get to share the experiences of soldiers, war correspondents, and others. If anything is missing from this book, it's the voices of those who have no formal role in war, other than to hide or die. The book doesn't spare us their experiences; we just hear them through other voices. It's hard to pick what moved me most in this book. The poetry is well chosen and diverse. The war correspondents are profoundly insightful. Take time for reflection with this book. It's worth it. Posted: 12/18/05; 7:16:00 PM #

The Iraq War and its Consequences

In 2004, Irwin Abrams and Wang Gungwu edited The Iraq War and its Consequences and the insights are no less relevant today than they were at the time they were compiled. Nobel Peace Prize laureates, eminent scholars, and others help paint a picture of how the world order has been affected and the framework of issues that civil society will be dealing with for a generation or more. Posted: 12/18/05; 6:31:05 PM #

Radical Collaboration

James Tamm and Ronald Luyet take a proven and practical approach to successful working relationships in Radical Collaboration their 2004 book. There's nothing in here you wouldn't find in the work of Marshall Rosenberg and others, but this book puts five essential skills into a very neat and conservative package. The title of the book might lead you to think this is about organizational collaboration, but the focus is on five interpersonal skills that focus on reducing defensiveness: collaborative intent, truthfulness, self-accountability, awareness of self and others, and problem solving and negotiation. I recommend this book for any person who struggles with defensiveness in themselves or others as well as for organizations that want to reduce the element of defensiveness in their corporate culture. Posted: 12/18/05; 5:42:44 PM #

The Knowledge Sharing Approach of the United Nations Development Programme

Kim Henderson does a great job describing the knowledge sharing approach of the United Nations Development Programme (12 page PDF), with a focus on their six years of experience applying a "Communities of Practice" approach to their far flung activities. She identifies the ingredients of a healthy CoP, successful operating modalities, methods to promote participation and ways to link CoPs to policy outcomes. Posted: 12/18/05; 5:15:13 PM #

Frist AIDS Charity Paid Consultants
	Well, this is what I call corruption in a nonprofit organization. Facts remain to be uncovered, but it sure looks like a couple of AIDS charities provided money laundering services for Bill Frist's political machine. It's shameful. Posted: 12/18/05; 5:10:04 PM #

Havana's Operation Miracle Helps Eye Patients See Light

Although the emphasis in my own work has always been on civil society in general and social change in particular, I am frequently moved to tears by genuine acts of simple charity. It seems that Cuba and Venezuela have set about using simple surgeries to help many of the world's blind. I am a little late in learning about Operation Miracle, since it was launched back in July of 2005, but the project has already restored the eyesight of over 100,000 people. Flights, accommodations, and food are paid for by the Venezuelan government. Cuba is providing the doctors and five tourist hotels have been put at the service of the project. They hope to perform 500,000 more operations in 2006. Posted: 12/18/05; 5:08:24 PM #

The LifeStraw - The Invention of the Century?

Genuinely appropriate technology always gives me a particular kind of thrill and reassures me that there are technologists out there who know that an understanding of the social and economic context into which they introduce a tool is of utmost importance. Some are describing the LifeStraw as the invention of the century and they may just be right. No, it's not full of "ajaxy goodness" or being called "clean water 2.0" or any other such silly hipness, but instead is just an elegant way to give clean water to as much as half the world's population and save as many as 6000 lives a day. I'm just waiting for some rapacious multinational corporation to undermine this technology as part of their continued pursuit of water privatization. But for now, I'm just proud to see such an invention. Posted: 12/18/05; 4:53:44 PM #

My Shame as a Diplomat

An employee of a major American NGO describes the effects of the deteriorating respect of the United States by Europeans. He is based in Berlin, the German capitol, where I have family and friends. I can personally testify to his experience. He says: "Yeah, we'll continue to meet with the politicos here, but we do it all while trying to avoid talking about where our organization is from and how it derives its wealth. We do it ashamed, and they pity us." Posted: 12/18/05; 4:42:08 PM #