tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42084336164226143072024-02-23T18:04:00.448-08:00TworqueThanks for visiting! On this site, I blog about new things I've learned, thoughts about my work, and life. This blog tends to have a strong focus on infrastructure, innovation, and entrepreneurship in the developing world.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger288125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4208433616422614307.post-55730065766749130812013-01-02T19:05:00.002-08:002013-01-02T19:09:26.574-08:00I'm moving to a wordpress platformI've been quiet for quite some time now, and that's because I've been trying to migrate over to a <a href="http://www.pragzter.com/">wordpress platform</a>. I am NO IT whiz, so it has taken me time to figure it out. But <a href="http://www.pragzter.com/">come over and visit when you can</a>!<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4208433616422614307.post-6865363206645697982012-10-19T13:58:00.001-07:002012-10-19T13:59:54.341-07:00Singularity University's Graduate Student Program: FAQs<br />
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Over Summer 2012, I attended <a href="http://singularityu.org/">Singularity University's (SU)</a> <a href="http://singularityu.org/gsp/">Graduate Studies Program (GSP12)</a>. I have been getting a NUMBER of questions about the experience, and I've answered many of them here. </div>
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<i>Please note that everything I've written is my opinion alone, not anyone else's. For any official definitions, information, etc, I urge you to visit the official <a href="http://singularityu.org/gsp/">SU Website</a>. </i></div>
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<b><i>1. What is SU?</i></b></div>
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I would urge you to check <a href="http://singularityu.org/about/overview/" target="_blank">their website</a> for their official definition. But here's my take on it..."SU" or "Singularity University" was founded by Space Entrepreneur <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Diamandis" target="_blank">Peter Diamandis</a> and Inventor/Entrepreneur <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Kurzweil" target="_blank">Ray Kurzweil</a> in 2009. Both are MIT grads, and famous for having innovated concepts, and creating unique companies (and in Kurzweil's case invented truly revolutionary products). Peter had read Ray's book titled "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Singularity-Near-Humans-Transcend-Biology/dp/0143037889" target="_blank">The Singularity is Near</a>" and was so inspired by the concept that it moved him to create an education program around it. The result is SU.</div>
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What it is or what it does or what its goals are, is constantly evolving. It didn't seem clear to anyone I asked, including the staff and affiliates, who all gave me different answers/definitions while I was there. It is supposed to be a "non profit educational institute", but its MUCH more of a for-profit incubator. Or atleast <a href="http://www.wired.com/business/2012/07/singularity-u/" target="_blank">that's what they are turning into</a>. </div>
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The easiest way I would define it is a guinea pig lab. The hope is that if you throw together a bunch of smart people from diverse backgrounds (in the same vein as IDEO, MIT or TED style), give them a lot of knowledge against the backdrop of Silicon Valley, you will get great output. </div>
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They were in the process of filming a documentary about SU while I was there. Perhaps when that comes out, it will make more sense...</div>
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Here's a trailer of the GSP2010:</div>
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<b><i>2. What is "The Singularity"??</i></b></div>
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For the unabridged version, read Ray Kurzweil's book "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Singularity-Near-Humans-Transcend-Biology/dp/0143037889" target="_blank">The Singularity is Near</a>" or watch Documentaries "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjhB6J23Qjs" target="_blank">The Transcendent Man</a>" or "<a href="http://www.singularity.com/themovie/#.UHr0u7R9lFI" target="_blank">The Singularity is Near</a>." That might shed some light. </div>
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Since I find the official definition(s) confusing, here's my take on it...it is a term coined by Kurzweil to indicate the point at which "machine intelligence will eclipse human intelligence." According to him, machine intelligence is growing at an exponential rate compared to human intelligence. At some point (I think he predicts 2045 or 2050), machines will meet and then become smarter than humans. That point of meeting is called "The Singularity."</div>
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<b><i>3. Do you believe in "the Singularity"? Do they preach it at SU?</i></b></div>
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No I don't believe in the Singularity, nor do you need to in order to attend SU. Nor was I the only one who didn't believe in it. </div>
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SU doesn't force any doctrine per se, except that there is an underlying theory of it floating around. Its why they teach you about "exponential technologies" (i.e. technologies that are improving at a rapid or 'exponential" rate). They do show you the Singularity Documentaries (see #2 above), and Ray Kurzweil delivers a few lectures on the subject. But Ray is a gentle soul...he doesn't force his doctrine or ways of thinking on anyone... </div>
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<b><i>4. How did you hear about SU? How did you come to attend it?</i></b></div>
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I heard about SU from Peter Diamandis (coFounder of SU) in 2008, while I was working for him at the XPRIZE Foundation. Then, it was still a concept that he was working hard to put together. It was a phenomenally enticing idea -- a summer of interdisciplinary education with game-changing faculty, and innovative people. </div>
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Peter kept encouraging me to apply and attend the first year in 2009; and thenceforth with every class. But I was tied down. Fortunately, things came together (schedule-wise) this year; I applied, and was accepted.</div>
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<b><i>5. Is SU a real University??</i></b></div>
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No. You have to be accredited, in order to be a University. </div>
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SU has no full-time faculty and very limited full-time staff. SU is modeled after the <i><a href="http://www.isunet.edu/">International Space University (ISU)</a></i> also cofounded by Peter Diamandis; both of which focus on interdisciplinary education, and supplement university education with practical elements like practitioner-based lectures, field visits, workshops, and projects. </div>
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There is no campus per se. SU leases (I think) facilities on the NASA/Ames Base in Mountain View, CA; two small buildings -- one houses their operations and incubatorial activities, and the other classroom space in which the GSP (and other programs) are held. </div>
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There are no full-time education programs that I know of, only part-time. These include their <a href="http://singularityu.org/">Executive Education programs (4-9 days, including a Medical program called "FutureMed") and their 10 week summer Graduate Studies Program (GSP). </a></div>
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<i><b>6. Have you attended International Space University (ISU)? Can you attend SU if you are an ISU alum?What's the difference between SU and ISU?</b></i></div>
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No, I have not attended ISU. You can attend both, without any issues, as there were classmates of mine who were ISU alums. </div>
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The key difference (amongst many other things) between the two is their subject focus. ISU is focused entirely on Space and Space-related issues. SU is MUCH broader and generalistic. Although housed on a NASA base, "Space" is only a SMALL part of the programs and activities.</div>
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<b><i>7. What is the Graduate Studies Program or GSP?</i></b></div>
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Check <a href="http://singularityu.org/gsp/" target="_blank">her</a><a href="http://singularityu.org/gsp/" target="_blank">e</a> for the official definition, and goals. From what I have been told and experienced, it is their flagship education program that is spread out across 10 weeks in the summer at the NASA/Ames campus in Mountain View, CA. </div>
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It brings together a diverse group of participants and over the course of the ten weeks exposes them to a variety of topics through practitioner lectures, workshops, site visits and group projects.</div>
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Check out a video of our class: </div>
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<b><i>8. Who generally attends GSP? What is the curriculum?</i></b></div>
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You can see some alum profiles and the curriculum on <a href="http://singularityu.org/gsp/" target="_blank">the website</a>. Students are supposed to come from "everywhere" and be doing "everything". So essentially, anyone can apply to attend. Also, SU has generous scholarship packages to cover those who cannot afford the steep $25,000 fee. This makes it possible for anyone to attend once accepted.</div>
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<a href="http://singularityu.org/core-curriculum/" target="_blank">The curriculum</a> and the profile of the student class seems to change every year. It is supposed to be ten weeks (as of this year) of exposure to "exponential technologies" (an SU term for technology fields that are developing at a rapid rate); you are supposed to come away with an understanding of what the following fields are and where they are heading in the next 10-15 years: medicine, neuroscience, aerospace, Finance, Economics, Law, Policy, Ethics, Energy, Environment, Artificial Intelligence, Computing, Entrepreneurship, Biotechnology and Nanotechnology. </div>
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During my program (summer 2012), Lectures/Classes ran for the first 7+ weeks, followed by Team Project work for 1+ weeks, and the last week was dedicated to "Launch" (a term for the last week meant to teach you how to take your team project and turn it into a company, if you so wish).</div>
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Your team project is supposed to take your knowledge of "exponential technologies" to address one of the <a href="http://singularityu.org/impact/" target="_blank">Global Grand Challenges</a> -- issues that supposedly affect the lives of 1 Billion people. These include energy, water, environment, space, global health, poverty, education, and security.</div>
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<b><i>9. What was your class composition like?</i></b></div>
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I don't remember the exact stats, but here's a close guesstimate: 80 students representing ~36 countries. The youngest participant was 21 (from Indonesia); the oldest was 52 (from Spain); the average age was around 28. ~10% of the class was from Asia + Sub Saharan Africa combined; North America had the largest representation, then Europe, and finally South America; the middle east was also minimally represented.</div>
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<b><i>10. What's a typical day like?? Do you get weekends off?</i></b></div>
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Days are LONG, with 6-day work-weeks. Most weeks, you only get Sundays off. We did not even get Independence Day (July 4th) off. </div>
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Of the 10 weeks, 7.5 weeks are "lecture weeks"; followed by 1.5 weeks of "group project"; ending with a "launch week." </div>
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The "lecture weeks" (Week 1 thru Week 8.5) were the longest and least flexible (and least fun for me!). Class started at 9AM; and often went as late as 11PM. One day, it went until 1:30AM! The typical lecture day was broken up with meal breaks, and "wellness hour", though these were often eaten into to allow for unstructured student activity (discussion groups, hobby groups, etc). So you could easily go 18 hours without much of a break. Skipping lectures was not allowed; students were admonished and even punished for missing class or being late.</div>
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The monotony of "Lecture weeks" was mitigated by staggering lectures from different fields or by having panel discussions or working groups instead of a pure lecture. Sometimes you had workshops, and if you were lucky a "field visit" that actually took you off-site. But it was common to have 12-15-hour days of incessant lecturing.</div>
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The "Group Project" period (week 8 and 9) was the most flexible (and most fun for me!). Meals were provided as scheduled, but the rest of the day was yours to do with as you pleased. This allowed you and your team to structure your day as you wished, consult necessary people, conduct research, do deep dives into field work, tinker/build, and develop a focused team project.</div>
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"Launch week" (Week 10) was a light and relaxed combination of Lecture and Group Project Weeks, that started at 9AM and ended somewhere between 3-5PM. I found this period to be particularly insightful. Lectures focused on imparting practical information about how to launch a company. Immigration lawyers, patent lawyers, seasoned entrepreneurs, incubator officers, loan officers, angel investors, venture capitalists, and alumni all came to present us with information that was relevant to building and launching a company here or abroad. Resources were discussed and shared. </div>
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<b><i>11. What is the team project? How do you choose your team and your project? What happens at the end?</i></b></div>
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By the fifth week, you were expected to have formed a team of four (in the past, it was larger teams but they cut it down based on feedback), though how you do it and what you decide to work on is entirely upto you. This disorganized team-formation had its own issues. Because the program is SO packed, you barely have time to meet all the people in your class, know their interests, and come up with a coherent team. Naturally, there was LOTS of drama and hurt feelings, gossiping and rumors. Many teams broke up and re-formed over the course of the ten weeks. By the end of the program, there were 20+teams (for a class of 80) that ranged in size from one to a team of 12.</div>
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Your team project can focus on "anything" (as we learned this was not true, see #12 below) so long as it uses "exponential technologies" as a means to change a Billion lives, and must address at least one "Global Grand Challenge" of water, energy, food, global health, environment, poverty, space, and security. People come up with all sorts of things -- drone companies, urban agricultural pods, water companies, wifi companies etc.</div>
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I greatly enjoyed this portion of SU, in fact, my favorite part. I loved the flexible schedule, greatly enjoyed getting to know my teammates, loved working jointly on a project we were all passionate about, and generally learned a lot. The last two days of the "Group Project" period are extremely stressful because you have to present your concept first in front of a panel of judges in a semi-public, and later a public forum. </div>
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<i><b>12. What was your team project?? What happened to it?</b></i></div>
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My team and I wanted to focus on important and intractable issues that were ignored by SU's curriculum and previous student groups but could potentially be addressed by technology, including war, drunk driving, sex trafficking, pedophilia, rape, corruption, etc. We ended up focusing on "War", specifically the "Mexican Drug War" because it has the highest casualties in the world right now and is happening on the US-Mexico border everyday, located just south of where we were. </div>
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It was an absolutely fascinating thought experiment to see how to apply technological solutions to this problem. We researched the causes, brokedown the problem further, and decided to focus on disrupting the supply chain of drugs. I think we came up with a very interesting and innovative solution that was fun, safe and legal.</div>
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However, hours before we were due to go on stage, the SU staff got nervous and asked that we change our concept to be less "controversial." It was enormously frustrating and disappointing. We did change everything to fit within their comfort zone; but it was a "sell out" and we were too worn out to pursue things further. The project effectively died at that point. </div>
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For a place that supposedly challenges "the establishment," promotes entrepreneurship and risk-taking, along with audacious ideas, and based in the heart of the liberal Bay Area, I was grossly disappointed, both with their decision and the way they handled the whole thing. </div>
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<b><i>13. What typically happens with Group Projects?</i></b></div>
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Ours was an atypical situation. Most students choose more conventional paths and projects; and then turn some of these into companies that are either incubated within SU or elsewhere. Sometimes the teams stay together; sometimes they change their focus; sometimes they break up and the concept lives on with another group. To date, a few companies have come out of GSP, the most successful of which is <a href="http://www.getaround.com/" target="_blank">GetAround </a>(car-sharing company). Others include <a href="http://singularityu.org/impact/su-companies/" target="_blank">MadeInSpace (3D printing in space); 9th Sense Robotics (robot company); and Scanadu (mobile medical device company)</a></div>
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<b><i>14. Is there a connection between TED and Singularity U?</i></b></div>
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This is probably one of the most-asked questions I get and its a little complicated to answer!! I think SU has taken a LOT from TED, and continues to be influenced by TED in a number of ways; though as far as I know there is NO official connection. </div>
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Both SU co-founders Ray Kurzweil and Peter Diamandis are regular TEDsters (TED attendees). Peter has spoken a number of times at TED, and many of the speakers and investors at SU are people whom Peter has encountered at TED either as attendees or speakers. SU was also officially launched during TED2009.</div>
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SU has taken a lot of its day-to-day programming style from TED. Music indicates the start or end of a lecture; lectures go back-to-back and are not interrupted; they have strict time-limits with a countdown clock staring you in the face. Everything is filmed. There is free-seating. And, evening sessions have a relaxed atmosphere, similar to a TEDU or evening TED sessions.</div>
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<i><b>15. Is there a preference for TEDx or TED-related people to attend as students?</b></i></div>
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This, #16, and #17 are also very popular questions. I can't answer them, to be honest. This is what I do know...</div>
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Four TED Fellows have attended to date (as far as I know): Luke Hutchison, Yara Shabah, Sarah Jane Pell, and myself...I think about one every year. I'm not sure if they were TED Fellows before they got in (I was!) or if that had any impact on the decision to be admitted. But I do know that SU tends to like the same things that the TED Fellows program likes in people...so it doesn't surprise me that TED Fellows are admitted when they apply.</div>
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I know a few classmates who have attended TEDx events and even spoken at a TEDx event; but again I don't know if that influenced the admissions officer in any way.</div>
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<b><i>16. What are the big differences between the TED and SU; and the TED Fellows program and GSP?</i></b></div>
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Well, there are HUGE differences in terms of length, focus and output of both TED/TED Fellows and SU/GSP. I wouldn't even compare the two; its like comparing apples and oranges. Rather than get into it, I would recommend that you visit both websites and decide for yourself.</div>
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That said, <b>one TELLING difference between TED and SU is in the gender differences</b> (which consequently reflects the thinking) <b>in the leadership and upper management of both organizations</b>. Interestingly, TED has a lot of strong, intelligent women behind each of its highly successful programs; from TED to TED.com to the TED Prize to TEDx, women at TED run a significant portion of the decision-making and operations. All of them have gotten their positions because they are outstanding at what they do; it just happens that they are also women. Yet this strength reflects in much of their culture and output --- the nurturing environment that enables creativity, and the quiet success that comes from high quality work that spreads by word-of-mouth; not aggressive marketing. Both men and women equally thrive there.</div>
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SU is very much the opposite...a traditional "Old Boys Club," with men (largely caucasian males) holding all the upper management and chair faculty positions; women generally have supportive roles, and are clearly not treated equally. While there were no female faculty chairs, we did have a few speakers who were female, some of who were outstanding and should've (or could've) been Faculty Chairs. Sometimes the differences were stark: for eg, two of our Teaching staff were astronaut-physicians (they were NASA Astronauts, with MDs) -- one caucasian male, and one African American female. Both were excellent, yet one (caucasian male) was a Faculty Chair with significant stage presence and title; the other was barely acknowledged. No one could tell me why. Similarly the one female Associate Founder of SU (who had written the first check) was a qualified lawyer, and anthropologist (and in many ways more qualified than her male counterparts), yet was only publicly acknowledged or given a role as an MC at events. </div>
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SU consequently has a very masculine and "Western" push to everything -- a focus on branding and reputation (sometimes at the cost of quality), a culture of partying and drinking, a rampant air of self-congratulation (or chest-beating), and a very aggressive marketing style. Granted the student body at SU had a 50:50 male to female ratio, but that could've been because they just got a woman to head the Admissions. I don't really know. But this difference was extremely stark and obvious to me, and permeated into every aspect of the culture at both places. </div>
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<b><i>17. Is it easier to become a TED Fellow if you go to SU?</i></b></div>
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Another super popular question that I can't answer officially. From what I understand of the TED Fellows program, the answer is "no." Nor would I encourage you to do something (including attend SU) just to improve your chances of becoming a TED Fellow. </div>
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Just so you know, I did work for TED (after I became a TED Fellow) and assessed TED Fellow applications for a brief period, so this answer is coming from some experience.</div>
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<b>18. <i>So, what did you really think of SU or GSP? Would you recommend the program to me??</i></b></div>
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Hmmm...tricky. I'll probably answer this very briefly for now. There were things I greatly appreciated about the place and the program, and others I didn't. I've communicated these points with the staff and hope they will take them into account.</div>
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Would I recommend GSP?? I think it really depends on what you are looking to get out of the program. Its a great place for a young, fresh up-and-comer who is trying to see what's "out there"; people who have grown up in areas where they haven't had the chance to get out and experience something else, or someone in a tired routine looking to jumpstart their lives. If you have already thrived and accomplished and met a good "tribe" of people in your own parts, chances are that the program will be disappointing.</div>
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SU has more of a "throw the spaghetti against the wall and see what sticks" mentality. The program is a whole lot of <i>random-somethings</i> that they've collected over time and knotted together -- lectures, workshops, people, field trips. They don't necessarily weave together seamlessly, nor do they come together in a coherent or consistent fashion. The quality is extremely erratic. So it can be enormously frustrating if you are a serious student or entrepreneur. </div>
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Frankly, I don't think they really intend to change that culture.</div>
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To be honest, I love the concept of the GSP and SU, and I think they are important. But they have a LONG way to go before achieving the vision of that concept. </div>
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For my part, I was bored through most of the lectures and detested the "chest beating" culture that dominated my time there. My favorite parts were the group projects where I had the chance to dive into real problems, and build meaningful relationships, or learn from classmates who had really accomplished things, or in the last week when we got to learn the real nuts and bolts of starting a company. But this was only 25% of the program, that cost a whopping $25,000. </div>
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<b>My bottomline: I DO think SU would make a fabulous incubator</b>, which they started recently (see <a href="http://singularityu.org/labs/">SU Labs</a>). They are incredibly well-connected, based in the heart of Silicon Valley, love networking and advising, doing great PR, and have fabulous work space. Almost all the people within the top management are all entrepreneurs themselves, so their advice comes from a depth of experience. Honestly, incubation plays to all their strengths, and I believe they will be incredibly successful at it...</div>
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Of course, this is just my opinion...</div>
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Have more questions?? <a href="mailto:tworque@gmail.com">Email me!</a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4208433616422614307.post-33714063591097693282012-10-05T23:38:00.000-07:002012-10-05T23:38:00.481-07:00New Research on Policy Impacts in Developing Countries<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://browseyard.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/About-Election-System-in-India1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="255" src="http://browseyard.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/About-Election-System-in-India1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Women hold out their voter registration cards as they wait to cast their votes in India. (Source: <a href="http://browseyard.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/About-Election-System-in-India1.jpg">Browseyard.com</a>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
As the US moves steadily towards its electoral process in November, I find myself pondering the purpose of democracy and how effective it is in the Developing World. Having immersed myself exclusively in Asia for the past two years (and much longer in parts before), this time living in Singapore and experiencing firsthand the merits (and demerits) of a "faux-democracy," as well as a range of governance mechanisms across Asia, I am struck by the significant differences between the US democracy and that of several Asian nations.<br />
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Recently, I was reading a "briefcase" of information provided by the J<a href="http://www.povertyactionlab.org/">ameel Poverty Action Lab (JPAL)</a>, a respected economic think-tank based at <a href="http://web.mit.edu/">MIT</a>.<br />
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About a month ago, JPAL and the <a href="http://www.adb.org/">ADB</a> had an <a href="http://www.povertyactionlab.org/events/impact_policy_conference">"Impact and Policy" conference</a>, that focused on research that highlighted how policy might impact three areas: governance, financial inclusion, and entrepreneurship. Thankfully, many of the presentations are linked to the <a href="http://www.povertyactionlab.org/events/impact_policy_conference">main conference page</a>, which I would highly encourage you to take a look at.<br />
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Among them are a few that have already caught my eye:<br />
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<li><a href="https://poverty-action.org/sites/default/files/day_2_s0_quraishi_0.pdf">a keynote address </a>given by India's <a href="http://eci.nic.in/eci_main1/ecq.aspx">former Election Commissioner</a>, who gives a<b><a href="https://poverty-action.org/sites/default/files/day_2_s0_quraishi_0.pdf"> quick overview</a> of the world's largest democracy</b>; one that is larger than the entire electorate of North and South America put together!!</li>
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<li>Fascinating research from <a href="https://poverty-action.org/sites/default/files/day_2_s1_ferraz.pdf">Brazil </a> and <a href="https://poverty-action.org/sites/default/files/day_2_s1_gine.pdf">Pakistan</a> that highlights <b>the need and impact of transparency/outreach prior to elections</b> (eg. independent audits performed on corrupt vs non-corrupt politicians, released to the public has an immediate impact on how likely they are to be elected or re-elected).</li>
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<li><a href="https://poverty-action.org/sites/default/files/day_2_s2_drott.pdf">The impact</a> that a good NGO can have on <b>limiting fake drugs</b> in Uganda.</li>
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<li>Data shows that <a href="https://poverty-action.org/sites/default/files/day_2_s3_iyer.pdf"><b>poverty positively corelates with conflict</b>.</a> It also shows that political representation of all groups in high conflict areas, helps lessen conflict and violence in these areas.</li>
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There's much more...check it out <a href="http://www.povertyactionlab.org/events/impact_policy_conference">here</a>.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4208433616422614307.post-82331573088356174832012-10-04T12:47:00.000-07:002012-10-04T12:47:23.723-07:00The Acumen Fund is now accepting applications for Acumen Fund Global Fellows Program Class of 2013-2014!<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/6t1aXkYglpQ?feature=player_embedded" width="640"></iframe><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"><a href="http://www.acumenfund.org/ten/">The Acumen Fund</a> is now accepting applications for Acumen Fund Global Fellows Program Class of 2013-2014!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"><a href="http://blog.acumenfund.org/2012/10/01/applications-for-the-2014-class-of-global-fellows-are-open/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+AcumenFundBlog+%28Acumen+Fund+Blog%29">The Acumen Fellowship</a> is a one year program that immerses Fellows in world-class leadership training, field work with social enterprises on the front lines, and a community of changemakers and thought leaders.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">DEADLINE: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM (Eastern Standard Time) on 16 November 2012.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">For more info, go <a href="http://blog.acumenfund.org/2012/10/01/applications-for-the-2014-class-of-global-fellows-are-open/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+AcumenFundBlog+%28Acumen+Fund+Blog%29">here</a>.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4208433616422614307.post-11541304796877420752011-12-02T01:56:00.001-08:002011-12-02T02:08:01.969-08:00What's up with this blog!!!While I list this blog as one of my outputs in my CV and other places, it hasn't been updated in over a year. Many times I have started to post something, but have thought the better of it for several reasons.<br />
<br />
As I stated before, I work in Singapore at the moment, a highly political place with a very low threshold for transparency (it is a country that has taught me the clear difference between transparency and corruption...they are definitely not corrupt; but they are also NOT transparent). My own workplace is particularly sensitive to any type of outspokenness (even when there is nothing to be afraid of), and I, like many others have learned this the hard way.<br />
<br />
As part of my philosophy of living, I will be respectful of the laws of the land while I am here. And hence I am quiet...but not for too much longer...<br />
<br />
Thanks for your patience; I will be back....soon enough, I hope...<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4208433616422614307.post-5854919448470459972010-11-29T23:06:00.001-08:002010-11-29T23:06:20.559-08:00Wat-San Jobs<font size="4">Gates Foundation</font><div class="gmail_quote"><div style="word-wrap: break-word;"><div><div style="margin: 0px;"><b>Position Title: </b>Analyst, Water Sanitation and Hygiene</div><div style="margin: 0px;"> <span style="font: 14px Helvetica;"><b>Foundation Summary: </b></span><i>Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Bill &</i></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><i>Melinda Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing</i></div> <div style="margin: 0px;"><i>countries, it focuses on improving people's health and giving them the chance to lift themselves</i></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><i>out of hunger and extreme poverty. In the United States, it seeks to ensure that all people—</i></div> <div style="margin: 0px;"><i>especially those with the fewest resources—have access to the opportunities they need to</i></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><i>succeed in school and life. Based in Seattle, the foundation is led by CEO Jeff Raikes and cochair</i></div> <div style="margin: 0px;"><i>William H. Gates Sr., under the direction of Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett.</i></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font: 14px Helvetica;">Group Summary: </span>The foundation's Global Development Program is working with</div> <div style="margin: 0px;">motivated partners to create opportunities for people to lift themselves out of poverty and</div><div style="margin: 0px;">hunger. Within this program, the Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WSH) initiative focuses its</div> <div style="margin: 0px;">efforts on supporting effective, sustainable and scalable ways to assist the 2.5 billion</div><div style="margin: 0px;">people who lack access to adequate sanitation. Our grants fund both direct solutions,</div> <div style="margin: 0px;">such as user-led sanitation, as well as indirect levers, such as improved information on</div><div style="margin: 0px;">costing to achieve sustainable service delivery. In all cases, we seek to catalyze action</div> <div style="margin: 0px;">by others and to leverage the foundation's particular capabilities, such as taking risks to</div><div style="margin: 0px;">drive innovation and engaging with a wide range of partners to achieve measurable</div> <div style="margin: 0px;">results.</div></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><b>Position Summary and Responsibilities:</b></div><div style="margin: 0px;">This Analyst reports to a Program Officer with a large research portfolio but supports the</div> <div style="margin: 0px;">wider WSH portfolio, and the director in particular, via a variety of short term projects.</div><div style="margin: 0px;">The research analyst supports progress towards WSH strategic goals in three key ways:</div> <div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font: 11px Arial;"><b> </b></span>Gathering, synthesizing and analyzing quantitative data in support of strategy</div><div style="margin: 0px;">development, advocacy and policy analysis, and grant development;</div> <div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font: 11px Arial;"><b> </b></span>Reviewing, summarizing and reporting out on academic literature and policy</div><div style="margin: 0px;">reports in sanitation</div><div style="margin: 0px;"> <span style="font: 11px Arial;"><b> </b></span>Desk-based due diligence of partner organizations and critical agents of change</div><div style="margin: 0px;">in the sanitation sector.</div><div style="margin: 0px;">Tasks and duties will include:</div> <div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font: 11px Arial;"><b> </b></span>Conduct basic research and analysis using publically available data at the request of</div><div style="margin: 0px;">team director and other senior team members</div> <div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font: 11px Arial;"><b> </b></span>Prepare reviews of technical literature, under the guidance of an economist and/or</div><div style="margin: 0px;">engineer on staff, to support the development of execution plans and grantmaking</div> <div style="margin: 0px;">strategies</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font: 11px Arial;"><b> </b></span>Provide analysis of policy, technology, and business model developments and</div><div style="margin: 0px;"> partner organization in the sanitation sector in key developing countries</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"> Prepare briefing notes, talking points, and presentation drafts in preparation for key</div> <div style="margin: 0px;">meetings</div><div style="margin: 0px;"> Support briefing materials development for trip planning by foundation leadership</div><div style="margin: 0px;"> Analyze, synthesize, and present data in Excel as well as Stata, Matlab, or other</div> <div style="margin: 0px;">statistical programs</div><div style="margin: 0px;">This position will provide opportunity for a wide range of experiences and professional</div><div style="margin: 0px;">development.</div><div style="margin: 0px;"> <b>Qualifications:</b></div><div style="margin: 0px;"> Significant experience with the particulars of sanitation in developing countries is</div><div style="margin: 0px;">a must. This may have been acquired in a number of ways including, but not</div> <div style="margin: 0px;">limited to, a technical degree in science field related to sanitation. Examples of</div><div style="margin: 0px;">desirable qualifications include: Civil or environmental engineering, epidemiology,</div> <div style="margin: 0px;">microbiology, or environmental economics. Masters degree is highly desirable.</div><div style="margin: 0px;"> The ideal candidate will have a combination of degrees and experience that</div><div style="margin: 0px;"> combine technical expertise with strong analytic and writing skills.</div><div style="margin: 0px;"> Experience in developing countries, particularly in Africa and Asia a plus.</div><div style="margin: 0px;"> Strong quantitative skills required including statistical analysis; not only the</div> <div style="margin: 0px;">presentation of data, but its synthesis and analysis, will be required.</div><div style="margin: 0px;"> Two to three years professional experience useful as a means of demonstrating</div><div style="margin: 0px;"> facility in a fast paced work environment.</div><div style="margin: 0px;"> Creative problem solver with a rigorous mind and a demonstrated initiative to</div><div style="margin: 0px;">solve problems with high energy and a positive attitude.</div> <div style="margin: 0px;"> Experience in a role requiring collaboration within a team and the associated</div><div style="margin: 0px;">diplomacy that comes with that</div><div style="margin: 0px;"> A sense of humor.</div> <div style="margin: 0px;">If you are interested in applying for this position, please visit</div><div style="margin: 0px; color: rgb(3, 62, 252);"><a href="http://www.gatesfoundation.org/AboutUs/WorkingWithUs/Jobs.htm" target="_blank">http://www.gatesfoundation.org/AboutUs/WorkingWithUs/Jobs.htm</a> <span style="font: 10px Helvetica; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">and submit your resume</span></div> <div style="margin: 0px;">online.</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br></div><div style="margin: 0px;">*********</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Gates Foundation</span></div> <div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><b>Position Title: </b>Program Officer, Water Sanitation and Hygiene</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font: 14px Helvetica;"><b>Foundation Summary: </b></span><i>Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Bill &</i></div> <div style="margin: 0px;"><i>Melinda Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing</i></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><i>countries, it focuses on improving people's health and giving them the chance to lift themselves</i></div> <div style="margin: 0px;"><i>out of hunger and extreme poverty. In the United States, it seeks to ensure that all people—</i></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><i>especially those with the fewest resources—have access to the opportunities they need to</i></div> <div style="margin: 0px;"><i>succeed in school and life. Based in Seattle, the foundation is led by CEO Jeff Raikes and cochair</i></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><i>William H. Gates Sr., under the direction of Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett.</i></div> <div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font: 14px Helvetica;">Group Summary: </span>The foundation's Global Development Program is working with</div><div style="margin: 0px;">motivated partners to create opportunities for people to lift themselves out of poverty and</div> <div style="margin: 0px;">hunger. Within this program, the Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WSH) initiative focuses its</div><div style="margin: 0px;">efforts on supporting effective, sustainable and scalable ways to assist the 2.5 billion</div> <div style="margin: 0px;">people who lack access to adequate sanitation. Our grants fund both direct solutions,</div><div style="margin: 0px;">such as user-led sanitation, as well as indirect levers, such as improved information on</div> <div style="margin: 0px;">costing to achieve sustainable service delivery. In all cases, we seek to catalyze action</div><div style="margin: 0px;">by others and to leverage the foundation's particular capabilities, such as taking risks to</div> <div style="margin: 0px;">drive innovation and engaging with a wide range of partners to achieve measurable</div><div style="margin: 0px;">results.</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><b>Position Summary and Responsibilities:</b></div> <div style="margin: 0px;">The WSH team is committed to the highest standards for evidence-based grantmaking,</div><div style="margin: 0px;">rigorous reporting against strategic targets, and a transparent, iterative relationship</div> <div style="margin: 0px;">between our strategy, measurement plan, and execution plan for grantmaking. Our</div><div style="margin: 0px;">approach to investing requires that we creatively develop results frameworks with our</div> <div style="margin: 0px;">grantees so that they can be held accountable for outputs and outcomes, not only</div><div style="margin: 0px;">activities. It also requires that we understand for ourselves the opportunity cost of our</div> <div style="margin: 0px;">resources as deployed, the cost-effectiveness of the programs that we support, and</div><div style="margin: 0px;">"what works" in water, sanitation, and hygiene so that we can continuously work to</div> <div style="margin: 0px;">increase our impact.</div><div style="margin: 0px;">The Program Officer (PO) will support WSH team leadership in making this vision for the</div><div style="margin: 0px;">WSH team a reality. The PO will:</div> <div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font: 11px Arial;"><b> </b></span>Manage and make grants that to measure impact and rigorously test alternative</div><div style="margin: 0px;">means of providing sanitation services.</div> <div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font: 11px Arial;"><b> </b></span>Support the use of measurement and evidence in strategy refinement, reporting,</div><div style="margin: 0px;">and advocacy</div><div style="margin: 0px;"> <span style="font: 11px Arial;"><b> </b></span>Support the use of outcome-based metrics for grantee reporting</div><div style="margin: 0px;">The PO reports to a senior colleague with extensive experience doing and managing</div> <div style="margin: 0px;">impact evaluations and program evaluations and will work closely with the director and</div><div style="margin: 0px;">other team members closely engaged with strategy development.</div><div style="margin: 0px;"> The PO will be given the flexibility to maintain a professional profile academically, with</div><div style="margin: 0px;">time for independent research made available (up to 10% of time).</div><div style="margin: 0px;">Specific responsibilities will include:</div> <div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font: 11px Arial;"><b> </b></span>Make grants, and analyze results from these grants, in order to sharpen the WSH</div><div style="margin: 0px;">team strategy and our ability to report on progress and value for money.</div> <div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font: 11px Arial;"><b> </b></span>Determining, with team leadership, evaluation priorities, objectives, scope, and</div><div style="margin: 0px;">preferred methodology.</div><div style="margin: 0px;"> <span style="font: 11px Arial;"><b> </b></span>Develop strategies and workable plans for using measurement to inform strategy and</div><div style="margin: 0px;">reporting on opportunity cost and cost-effectiveness of WSH investment portfolio.</div> <div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font: 11px Arial;"><b> </b></span>Developing creative and rigorous results frameworks for grantees that allow outputs</div><div style="margin: 0px;">and outcomes to be measured and monitored, not only the expenditure of money</div> <div style="margin: 0px;">and implementation of activities.</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font: 11px Arial;"><b> </b></span>Contribute to the larger measurement community of practice at the foundation.</div> <div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font: 11px Arial;"><b> </b></span>Maintain an active role in the larger field of impact evaluation in both the academic</div><div style="margin: 0px;">and policy worlds and function as an effective advocate for evidence based</div> <div style="margin: 0px;">approaches to WSH financing and development funding more generally.</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font: 11px Arial;"><b> </b></span>Supporting the thoughtful use of evaluation methods beyond randomized trials and</div> <div style="margin: 0px;">other quantitative methods, including outcome mapping and process evaluation, for</div><div style="margin: 0px;">grantees and clusters of grantees.</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font: 11px Arial;"><b> </b></span>Research and analysis to report out on learnings and policy implications for the WSH</div> <div style="margin: 0px;">sector.</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><b>Qualifications:</b></div><div style="margin: 0px;">• Advanced degree in economics or related quantitative social science or public health</div><div style="margin: 0px;"> discipline (e.g., epidemiology, public policy, political science) required; PhD strongly</div><div style="margin: 0px;">preferred.</div><div style="margin: 0px;">• Content area expertise in WSH desired but expertise in related areas (e.g., health or</div> <div style="margin: 0px;">urban economics, public finance, determinants of technology adoption, the</div><div style="margin: 0px;">economics of R&D) may be sufficient.</div><div style="margin: 0px;">• Expertise and experience in the area of rigorous measurement and evaluation,</div> <div style="margin: 0px;">including econometrics, strongly preferred.</div><div style="margin: 0px;">• Thorough familiarity with logic models, logical frameworks, or similar devices for</div><div style="margin: 0px;">framing strategic objectives, articulating key assumptions, and articulating results</div> <div style="margin: 0px;">important.</div><div style="margin: 0px;">• The ideal candidate will have a creative and rigorous bent that allows the deployment</div><div style="margin: 0px;">of multiple other tools for assessing impact such as outcome mapping, if not actual</div> <div style="margin: 0px;">experience with other approaches.</div><div style="margin: 0px;">• 7-10 experience working in development and/or evaluation.</div><div style="margin: 0px;">• At least several years professional experience in developing countries.</div> <div style="margin: 0px;">• Strong communication and facilitation skills.</div><div style="margin: 0px;">• Ability to work as part of a team with flexibility, efficiency, enthusiasm, and diplomacy</div><div style="margin: 0px;"> both individually and as part of a complex program.</div><div style="margin: 0px;">• Ability to travel up to 25% of time.</div><div style="margin: 0px;">• Sense of humor.</div><div style="margin: 0px;">If you are interested in applying for this position, please visit</div> <div style="margin: 0px; color: rgb(3, 62, 252);"><a href="http://www.gatesfoundation.org/AboutUs/WorkingWithUs/Jobs.htm" target="_blank">http://www.gatesfoundation.org/AboutUs/WorkingWithUs/Jobs.htm</a> <span style="font: 10px Helvetica; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">and submit your resume</span></div> <div style="margin: 0px;">online.</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br></div><div style="margin: 0px;">***********</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><div> <div> <span> NRDC Water Policy Analyst </span> </div> <br> <img src="" alt="" border="0" width="8"> <img src="" alt="" border="0" width="7"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td colspan="2"> <font size="2"><span>Salary:</span> Salary is based on a nonprofit scale and commensurate with experience. <br><span>Education:</span></font> <font size="2"> Master (MA, MSW, etc.) <br><span>Location:</span></font> <font size="2"> Santa Monica, California, 90401, United States <br><span>Posted by:</span></font> <font size="2"> <a href="http://www.idealist.org/if/i/en/av/Org/62479-215" target="_blank">Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)</a></font> <font size="2"><br></font> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="50%"> <font size="2"><span>Job Category:</span> Advocacy, Public Policy <br><span>Sector:</span></font> <font size="2"> Nonprofit <br><span>Last day to apply:</span></font> <font size="2"> December 10, 2010 <br><span>Last updated:</span></font> <font size="2"> November 18, 2010 <br></font> </td> <td width="50%"> <font size="2"><span>Type:</span> Full time <br><span>Language(s):</span></font> <font size="2"> English <br><span>Job posted on:</span></font> <font size="2"> November 18, 2010 <br><span>Area of Focus:</span></font> <font size="2"> Environment and Ecology, Urban Affairs </font></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br></div><h2> Description: </h2> <div>The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is a non-profit national environmental organization with more than 1.2 million members and online activists. We have offices in New York, Washington, D.C., San Francisco, Santa Monica, Chicago, and Beijing. Our staff of over 300 includes attorneys, scientists, policy analysts, and educators working to protect the environment and public health through advocacy and education. <br> <br> NRDC's new national Water Program focuses on securing safe and sufficient water for humans and ecosystems in the face of existing and emerging threats. The program involves staff in all of NRDC's U.S. offices and fully integrates our water resources work so that it addresses water supply and water quality, surface water and groundwater, human health and ecosystem issues. The Program's staff is organized into four teams focusing on Green Infrastructure, Water Use Efficiency, Water & Climate, and developing a new water paradigm in California. The four program teams work together to implement a portfolio of strategies that maximize efficiency and minimize waste, prevent pollution, and protect and restore the ecosystem. <br> <br> Position Summary: <br> <br> NRDC has an immediate opening for a Water Policy Analyst who will work closely with the director of the Water Efficiency Team. The position will be based in NRDC's Santa Monica office. This person will play an important role in formulating and implementing NRDC's efforts to advocate for improved water use efficiency and water recycling in California and nationally, and will collaborate with a team of attorneys and other staff engaged in these issues. <br> <br> Essential Functions: <br> <br> Serve as NRDC's representative in a variety of state and federal regulatory, administrative, and collaborative forums, advocating improvements in water use efficiency and water recycling. Conduct analyses, manage databases, and research and write NRDC reports and media kits on key water efficiency topics and policies. Review and comment on water conservation programs, draft legislation, agency reports, draft rules, etc. Responsibilities include contact with regulatory agencies, the media, and legislative offices. <br> <br> The job will include: <br> <br> 1. Review and analysis of current state and federal water conservation programs, and evaluation of costs and benefits of new water efficiency initiatives <br> 2. Legislative advocacy on water efficiency and water recycling <br> 3. Promoting increased integration of water and energy policy and planning <br> 4. Advocating at the state and national level for product standards, model building codes, and other regulations that improve water use efficiency <br> 5. Pursuing implementation of water efficiency and water recycling as means to reduce global warming emissions as well as to adapt to the impacts of global warming <br> 6. Advocating for improved agricultural water use efficiency <br> 7. Supervising the work of contractors and interns <br> <br> Skills & Knowledge Requirements: <br> <br> • Advanced degree in engineering, water resources, public policy, law, or a related subject <br> • Minimum of 3 years work experience in the field or a related one <br> • Familiarity with spreadsheets and similar tools for quantitative analysis and data management <br> • Knowledge of water efficiency, conservation, and reuse <br> • Strong advocacy experience on environmental issues <br> • Excellent oral and written communication skills <br> • Experience in building collaborations with non-traditional allies <br> • Strong interpersonal skills <br> <br> NRDC offers competitive salaries, excellent benefits, and a dynamic work environment, and we are committed to workplace diversity. Salary is based on a nonprofit scale and commensurate with experience. For further information about NRDC, please visit <a href="http://nrdc.org" target="_blank">nrdc.org</a>.</div> <h2> How to Apply: </h2> <div>To apply, please visit <a href="http://www.nrdc.org/jobs" target="_blank">www.nrdc.org/jobs</a>. Please apply no later than December 10, 2010. No phone calls or faxes. Please reference where you saw this posting. NRDC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.</div><div><br></div><div>******</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4208433616422614307.post-12725559574109666252010-11-29T21:55:00.001-08:002010-11-29T21:55:45.976-08:00Lack of Engineers is Stifling Development<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZYMNvo-9a-2LfU20ujtoVn4cGIPhgzz3yrczGA2wPNflitv1QzcsRp2eIPBm8PWFirlyh-0zoZZhjlDhmZ4PqjYBR7V1hEGeWi_KkPRuBh4jiSyau1w2gFVMbzU4eu5M85tSEQpxe_jM/s1600/solarengineers_Flickr_BarefootPhotographersofTilonia-745977.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZYMNvo-9a-2LfU20ujtoVn4cGIPhgzz3yrczGA2wPNflitv1QzcsRp2eIPBm8PWFirlyh-0zoZZhjlDhmZ4PqjYBR7V1hEGeWi_KkPRuBh4jiSyau1w2gFVMbzU4eu5M85tSEQpxe_jM/s320/solarengineers_Flickr_BarefootPhotographersofTilonia-745977.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545217443671999570" /></a></p><div class="gmail_quote"><div style="word-wrap:break-word"><div><div><div><h3>Lack of engineers stifling development, says report</h3><p>Christine Ottery</p><div><a href="http://scidev.net/" target="_blank">scidev.net</a></div> <div><br></div><p>4 November 2010 | EN</p></div><div><div style="width:140px"><img alt="Female solar engineers" title="Female solar engineers" height="140" width="140"><p>The world needs more women engineers and technicians</p> <p>Barefoot Photographers of Tilonia</p></div><p><span>A shortage of engineers in developing countries, and lack of interest in engineering careers from young people and women, are hampering development, according to the first </span><span><span>ever international report on engineering</span></span><span>. </span></p> <p><span>Engineering is vital for raising standards of living and creating opportunities for sustainable prosperity in line with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), according to the report, which features contributions from 120 experts around the world.</span></p> <p>But <span>developing countries on average have only five engineers per 10,000 of the population — and less than one in some African countries — according to UNESCO </span>(the UN <span>Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization)</span>, which published the report. Developed countries have 20–50 engineers per 10,000.</p> <p><span>The poorest are hit hardest by the lack of engineers: 1.1 billion people have no access to clean water, 2 billion have no access to electricity and 800 million go hungry on a daily basis.</span></p><p><span>"The crucial thing is to address people's basic needs: water supply, sanitation, better homes," Tony Marjoram, editor of the report and head of engineering sciences at UNESCO, told <em><a href="http://SciDev.Net/" target="_blank">SciDev.Net</a></em>. Around 2.5 million new engineers are needed only in Sub-Saharan Africa just to ensure provision of clean water and sanitation for everyone, says the report.</span></p> <p><span>Developing countries bear the brunt of climate change, so ensuring sustainable development is also important, he said.</span></p><p><span>"Engineering is often blamed for pollution but it can create solutions to reduce carbon emissions and make energy use more effective," Marjoram said.</span></p> <p><span>The report calls for developing public and policy awareness of engineering as a key driver of innovation and social and economic development. It also highlights the need to focus educational efforts on the need for more effective application of engineering to sustainable development, poverty reduction and climate change.</span></p> <p><span>Only one country in Sub-Saharan Africa has an engineering academy, the report says. It also makes a link between lagging economic development in Latin America and its lack of engineers.</span></p><p><span>Pacific islands where cyclones, tsunamis and earthquakes pose a risk to people have an unsustainable and ageing engineer workforce, overly reliant on foreign aid, it says.</span></p> <p><span>"The report makes clear that investing in infrastructure and the education of engineers in developing countries will be hugely important to development," Andrew Lamb, chief executive of the non-profit organisation Engineers without Borders, told <em><a href="http://SciDev.Net/" target="_blank">SciDev.Net</a></em>. </span><span>The shortage of engineers in developing countries is exacerbated by a brain drain, Lamb added.</span></p> <p><span>Women are often the ones to experience problems that can be solved with engineering, Jan Peters, executive president of the UK-based Women's Engineering Society told <em><a href="http://SciDev.Net/" target="_blank">SciDev.Net</a></em>. "If women are given the skills to solve the problems they have in their lives, the lives of their families will improve enormously."</span></p> <p><span>The report, 'Engineering: Issues, Challenges and Opportunities for Development', </span>was presented at the opening ceremony of the <span>World Congress and Exhibition, Engineering 2010 — Argentina: Technology, Innovation and Production for Sustainable Development, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, last month (17 October).</span></p> <div>Full report: <a href="http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0018/001897/189753e.pdf" target="_blank">http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0018/001897/189753e.pdf</a></div><div><br></div></div></div></div></div></div> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4208433616422614307.post-12345403761293772192010-11-14T03:07:00.000-08:002010-11-14T03:12:55.156-08:00Another update: focus switchI've decided to change the focus of my blog to become more personal. When you come to my blog now, you'll notice a change in the header. It now says that I'll be blogging on new things I'm learning about, and thoughts on work and life. This change reflects the change in my work. I no longer have the time to read as I used to about a variety of things. But I'm learning a lot about management and leadership in my new position. And I'd like a place to archive these thoughts.<div><br /></div><div>If you happen to listen, I thank you for your time and attention. Do lend me some of your thoughts in return. I am always grateful!<br /><div><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4208433616422614307.post-9841495055419785902010-11-14T00:54:00.000-08:002010-11-14T00:56:55.617-08:00Fellowships in Sustainability Science at Harvard<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; "><b><span style="color: black; ">Fellowships in Sustainability Science</span></b></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; "><span style="color: black; "><a href="http://www.hks.harvard.edu/centers/cid/programs/sustsci">Harvard</a></span><span style="color: black; "><a href="http://www.hks.harvard.edu/centers/cid/programs/sustsci"> University</a></span><span style="color: black; "><a href="http://www.hks.harvard.edu/centers/cid/programs/sustsci">'s Center for International Development</a></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; "><span style="color: black; ">Due date for applications: December 1, 2010</span></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; "><span style="color: black; "> </span></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; "><span style="color: black; "></span></div><blockquote><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; "><span style="color: black; ">The Sustainability Science Program at Harvard University's Center for International Development invites applications for resident fellowships in sustainability science for the University's academic year beginning in September 2011. The fellowship competition is open to advanced doctoral and post-doctoral students, and to mid-career professionals engaged in research or practice to facilitate the design, implementation, and evaluation of effective interventions that promote sustainable development. Applicants should describe how their work would contribute to "sustainability science," the emerging field of use-inspired research seeking understanding of the interactions between human and environmental systems as well as the application of such knowledge to sustainability challenges relating to advancing development of agriculture, habitation, energy and materials, health and water while conserving the earth's life support systems. This year we will give some preference to applicants whose work addresses challenges of innovation for sustainable development, with special attention to innovation in the energy, health and agricultural sectors. In addition to general funds available to support this fellowship offering, special funding for the Giorgio Ruffolo Fellowships in Sustainability Science is available to support citizens of Italy or developing countries who are therefore especially encouraged to apply. </span></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; "><span style="color: black; "><br /></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; "><span style="color: black; ">The Sustainability Science Program is directed by Professors William Clark and Michael Kremer, and Nancy Dickson. </span></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; "><span style="color: black; "><br /></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; "><span style="color: black; "><b>For more information on the fellowships application process see </b><a href="http://www.cid.harvard.edu/sustsci/fellowship" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(20, 125, 186); "><b>http://www.cid.harvard.<wbr>edu/sustsci/fellowship</b></a><b>. Applications are due December 1, 2010. </b></span></div></blockquote><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; "><span style="color: black; "><b></b></span></div></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4208433616422614307.post-18805530083798259812010-11-06T21:59:00.000-07:002010-11-06T22:01:17.295-07:00Deshpande Center Junior Fellowship now Open!For anyone interested, please contact the lady below:<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; ">Are you looking for an opportunity to experience and contribute to the development sector in India?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; ">Are you passionate, enthusiastic and flexible??</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; ">The Global Exchange Program Junior Fellowship may be the right opportunity for you!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; "> </span></p><p><span>The Deshpande Foundation has short term opportunities for individuals interested in gaining experience in exciting and growing organizations: The Deshpande Center for Social Entrepreneurship (DCSE) and other nonprofits based in the Sandbox of Innovation (in Hubli, Karnataka). Opportunities available in cost/benefit analysis, teaching, documentation, monitoring and evaluation, curriculum design and more. Time frame between 5-6 months. These opportunities are unpaid, but a very modest stipend is provided in addition to housing. If this is something that interests you, please send an email with your resume and cover letter to <a href="mailto:gep@deshpandefoundation.org" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(20, 125, 186); ">gep@deshpandefoundation.org</a>, outlining your skills and areas of interest along with the time period. Junior fellowships are available year round.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Allegra Harris</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><b> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><b>Associate, Deshpande Foundation</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(45, 45, 45); ">92 Montvale Ave, Suite 2500<br />Stoneham, MA 02180<br />Phone: (781)-481-9055 ext.36</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "> </p></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4208433616422614307.post-10024138416740693112010-10-03T16:18:00.000-07:002010-10-03T16:21:47.355-07:00A good poo jokeIts hard finding good jokes on poo, but I found one (more like it was sent to me), and it cracked me up. For obvious reasons, I decided to spare you all some pictures.<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><blockquote>A Congressman was seated next to a little girl on an airplane so he turned to her and said, "Do you want to talk?? Flights go quicker if you strike up a conversation with your fellow passenger."<br /><br />The little girl, who had just started to read her book, replied to the total stranger, "What would you want to talk about?"<br /><br />"Oh, I don't know," said the congressman. "How about global warming, universal health care, or stimulus packages?" as he smiled smugly.<br /><br />"OK," she said. "Those could be interesting topics but let me ask you a question first. A horse, a cow, and a deer all eat the same stuff - grass. Yet a deer excretes little pellets, while a cow turns out a flat patty, but a horse produces clumps. Why do you suppose that is?"<br /><br />The legislator, visibly surprised by the little girl's intelligence, thinks about it and says, "Hmmm, I have no idea."<br /><br />To which the little girl replies, "Do you really feel qualified to discuss global warming, universal health care, or the economy, when you don't know shit?" And then she went back to reading her book.</blockquote></span><br /></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4208433616422614307.post-58946735394060752362010-09-28T04:27:00.001-07:002010-09-28T05:10:08.406-07:00Mo Ibrahim on Good Governance<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.moibrahimfoundation.org/media/thumbnail/board-main-image/3b4da7f00c774ecfa5f2789fc4a0de9b/20091221_4col-img-moibrahim.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 624px; height: 360px;" src="http://www.moibrahimfoundation.org/media/thumbnail/board-main-image/3b4da7f00c774ecfa5f2789fc4a0de9b/20091221_4col-img-moibrahim.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><div>Mo Ibrahim: Engineer, Entrepreneur, Philanthropist, African, Activist, Leader (photo source: <a href="http://www.moibrahimfoundation.org/media/thumbnail/board-main-image/3b4da7f00c774ecfa5f2789fc4a0de9b/20091221_4col-img-moibrahim.jpg">Mo Ibrahim Foundation</a>)</div><div><br /></div>Mo Ibrahim is one of my heroes. I first heard about him through a friend of mine, also dedicated to Africa's development. "He is one of Africa's most successful entrepreneurs," he said. I was immediately intrigued. Who was this man who had grown up in Sudan in rather minimal circumstances, who had gotten a PhD in computer engineering, and started one of the world's most successful mobile companies with 500 quid??!! How did he do it, and why did he do it??<div><br /></div><div>So I began reading about him. I read about how passionate he was about the development of Africa's leaders...this Sudanese man who always had a big smile. He had started an innovative <a href="http://www.moibrahimfoundation.org/en">Mo Ibrahim Prize for Leadership</a>, and was giving out scholarships to young and promising African students. And I badly wanted to meet him.</div><div><br /></div><div>Two months ago, I finally did. He was invited to be Chief Guest at our School's anniversary meeting. And he did not disappoint. </div><div><br /></div><div>The day he arrived, the University had a whole day of activities planned out for him. They were thrilled to have one of the world's most successful entrepreneurs in their midst. The school was buzzing with photographers, and all manner of people in suits waiting to make a big deal about him. </div><div><br /></div><div>In the meantime, the man himself arrived with an entourage of one (his personal assistant) in a rather non-descript car. No one knew that he was there or to run out and take his picture. He walked in and appeared a little lost, found his way to the photo session where he managed to surprise everyone by showing up with little fanfare. And just as quietly and efficiently as he came, he disappeared after.</div><div><br /></div><div>In the evening, I showed up at the lecture he was to give. In the tradition of my school to put its best foot forward, the lecture was held off-site at a fancy 5-star hotel ballroom. Half of my work-floor (including myself) was there to usher people in fancy suits around. Mo showed up early, again with just his personal assistant and a throng of Singaporeans following him around. All he seemed to want to do was find a reliable men's room where he could relieve himself and then relax. I think he was happy to just be left alone.</div><div><br /></div><div>His talk was marvelous. Very honest, no BS. I really liked the guy. He had no frills about him and he was unafraid to say what he came to talk about: that we are mucking up our world with crappy leadership and governance, and that there were ways to fix it. I highly recommend watching his talk <a href="http://nuscast.nus.edu.sg/PublicEvents/1/MODVideoOnly.asp?KEY=%7bA52DC5B1-67E5-4208-BA26-8BC2C958B5DC%7d">here</a> (unfortunately it cannot be embedded). Its eye-opening.</div><div><br /></div><div>I later had the opportunity to speak with him one-on-one, and asked him two questions:</div><div><br /></div><div></div><blockquote><div><i>Who are your heroes??</i></div><div>He said that growing up, he had three people's pictures on his wall: Marie Curie, Albert Einstein, and someone else who I can't remember (totally my fault...darn!)</div><div><br /></div><div><i>What's the best piece of advice he has ever gotten??</i></div><div>He quoted an Arabic saying he had oft-heard growing up in Sudan. He translated it into something like this, "you come into the earth with nothing, and you will die with nothing." So he wants to make and do as much good as he can with what God has given him in the time that he is alive, because come death, he won't take any of this back with him.</div><div></div></blockquote><div>Read more about the <a href="http://www.moibrahimfoundation.org/en">Mo Ibrahim Foundation</a>, and <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/8309396.stm">Mo</a>.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4208433616422614307.post-13658131773540892142010-09-10T03:25:00.000-07:002010-09-10T03:50:27.646-07:00X PRIZE for efficient cookstoves??<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://me.columbia.edu/fac-bios/modi/images/Stoves1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 484px; height: 363px;" src="http://me.columbia.edu/fac-bios/modi/images/Stoves1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><div><b>Inefficient cookstoves are a major problem for the poor in the developing world. The soot has serious implications on health and poverty; and population growth, and rising energy costs leave the poor with no choice but to forage for their fuel resulting in environmental degradation, . </b> (Picture source: c<a href="http://me.columbia.edu/fac-bios/modi/images/Stoves1.jpg">olumbia.edu</a>)</div><div><br /></div>One of the organizations I consulted for a couple of years ago, called the <a href="http://www.xprize.org/x-prizes/overview">X PRIZE Foundation</a>, where I helped develop the Global Development vertical has moved forward with a partnership with<a href="http://www.xprize.org/media-center/press-release/x-prize-govt-of-india-iit-delhi-announce-partnership-to-create-global-com"> IIT Delhi and the Government of India to develop and launch a prize for developing efficient cookstoves</a>.<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; border-collapse: collapse; "><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><i>Approximately 70% of Indian households -- more than 160 million households, comprising about 770 million people – are estimated to depend on simple but polluting cookstoves that burn solid fuel, mainly wood or coal. It also is estimated that approximately 400,000 to 550,000 people – primarily women and children – die of the resulting indoor air pollution each year in the country. This makes the cookstoves problem in India and the potential market for cleaner cookstoves amongst the largest in the world. <br /><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; "></strong><br />The cookstoves competition falls under the X PRIZE Foundation’s Education & Global Development prize group, which tackles major challenges in areas such as learning, hunger, health and water. Addressing the grand challenges of our time, the X PRIZE Foundation generates innovation through incentivized competition. Through the strategic design of ground-breaking competitions with significant, multi-million dollar prize purses, X PRIZE spurs collaboration among the world’s most brilliant minds to tackle the most pressing issues and create radical breakthroughs for the benefit of humanity. </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; ">More <a href="http://www.earthtechling.com/2010/09/x-prize-takes-on-cleaner-cookstoves/">here</a>. </span></blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><br /></span></blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; ">Looks pretty interesting and exciting. Definitely a worthy issue. More about the cookstove problem is <a href="http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/04/more-efficient-cook-stoves-could-reduce-greenhouse-gas-emissions-18-percent.php">here</a> and <a href="http://kammen.berkeley.edu//cookstoves.html">here</a>.</span></blockquote></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4208433616422614307.post-31739092202752872342010-08-31T20:19:00.000-07:002010-08-31T20:19:00.130-07:00Picture of the Day: Urban Transportation<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXfQXK0vtUnt5NjsffVeNnkOukH2LOyMjFrP43m8XP41HHWJalZ-Px3VSNP4o-MqeylNbHTEhWZIn3afSVJis93sl63zVZUN1Nq1tBd-xXbyFz8BpAQx6TRA4u17OODltaBDZjcaFeNrw/s1600/-1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 520px; height: 445px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXfQXK0vtUnt5NjsffVeNnkOukH2LOyMjFrP43m8XP41HHWJalZ-Px3VSNP4o-MqeylNbHTEhWZIn3afSVJis93sl63zVZUN1Nq1tBd-xXbyFz8BpAQx6TRA4u17OODltaBDZjcaFeNrw/s320/-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510298403413424434" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Desperate needs call for desperate measures. This picture is both amusing and very disturbing. I don't know how authentic it is (i.e. whether that poor baby in the bucket has been photoshop'd in, for example). But I have seen scenes like this play out before me multiple times in the developing world.<br /><br />Photo credit: Unknown. Someone emailed it to me w/o the credits. I can't find anything inspite of scouring the internet. Do email me if you have anymore information.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4208433616422614307.post-28963871442870945392010-08-29T20:12:00.000-07:002010-08-29T20:12:00.711-07:00Starting a recycling program on my Singaporean campusI work on this nameless campus in Singapore. Its supposedly one of the best universities in the world.<br /><br />For all of Singapore's advancement, the idea of environmental consciousness and responsibility have still not made it here. People still eat shark fin soup everywhere, for example, and everything is overpackaged (I've been told its because of the rain...but seriously...<br />I've lived in some rainy, snowy places, and my stuff remains dry without the overpackaging). Not to mention the waste of paper, plastic and other resources out here.<br /><br />Among other things, I'm trying hard to start a recycling program at our campus. No one knows what recycling here is. While this is NOT a third world nation, people here just don't get it. Everything goes into the same trash bin and it all ends up in the Singaporean incinerator. What's the big deal, people always ask me!<br /><br />So I was thrilled when I found out that the University has an Office for Environmental Sustainability (OES). Apparently they do recycling and other stuff. So I wrote them last week, offering to drop by (its a drive away to get between the campuses). There was no phone number, so I emailed. This is what I wrote.<br /><br /><blockquote style="font-style: italic;">"Hi there, <p>we are water researchers at XXX at XXX campus. We have been extremely frustrated by the lack of recycling facilities on the campus and would like to start implementing one ASAP.</p> <p>We'll be on your campus on tuesday, Aug 17 morning. Would you be available for a meeting after 11:30 AM?? We would love to hear your thoughts on how we can work with you to make XXX a greener, cleaner campus.</p> <p>Thanks,"</p></blockquote><p></p><p><br /></p><p>Two weeks later (and WAY after my first request for scheduled appointment), I got this email from them:</p><blockquote style="font-style: italic;"><p>Dear XXXX, </p> <p>Thank you for writing in to us!<br /></p> <p>A list of recycling locations on campus can be found at : <a href="http://www.nus.edu.sg/oes/prog/waste/ppac_location.html" target="_blank">------ website</a></p> <p>Do you find that it is insufficient for XXX campus? Perhaps you can suggest to us additional locations and we can forward your request to XXX Campus Management Office(XXCMO). OES will support with recycling bins if XXCMO agrees.<br /><br />Thank you!</p> <div> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Yours Sincerely,</span></p> </div> <b><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(118, 146, 60);">Office of Environmental Sustainability</span></b></blockquote><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(118, 146, 60);"><br /><br /></span></b>Wow. Two weeks later I get nowhere. No sorry. No explanation. No "let's meet up so we can figure this out together." So I went to the website. As an afterthought, somewhere at the end of a badly designed excel spreadsheet, our campus of over 2000 folks has four little recycling bins. I went hunting for them in the rain today. It took me a while to locate one of them. It was sitting as an afterthought behind the canteen. And inside the bin, I found one soft drink can (I know the person who threw it in there). Back inside, at the canteen dustbin where I went to dispose off my food remains, there were about 200 aluminum cans sitting under the little food scraps I threw in.<br /><br />That says it all.<br /><br />I have a LOT of work ahead of me...<br /><br />OES has a great website, twitter feed, Facebook profile and godknowswhatelse. My little office has none of those. Not that that means anything.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4208433616422614307.post-53316018072456577382010-08-26T19:18:00.000-07:002011-12-02T01:56:10.123-08:00Why I've been quietA lot of people have been bugging me about my lack of writing on my blog. This is for two reasons:<br />
<ul>
<li>I am in Singapore</li>
<li>I am supposed to start a blog around water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) issues where I work now. Since there was going to be this overlap, I've focused on the other one.</li>
</ul>
<br />
Singapore (where I am at the moment) is a very difficult place to write from...particularly if you like the idea of freedom and have an independent mind (as I do). Say something people don't like, and you get put on a <a href="http://en.rsf.org/singapore.html">watch list; sometimes punished severely</a>. If you 'google' around, I'm sure you'll find more interesting information on the subject. Essentially, i don't know what will tick someone off and then I end up with my head on a cross bridge (they have a few here!).<br />
<br />
On the second, things are moving slowly where I work. There are many reasons for this. They are restructuring, and there is a war about what we can and cannot post, and the process we have to use. And then there is a war about the name, because it has to represent several different institutions at once.<br />
<br />
And while these two issues resolve themselves, I'm working feverishly on keeping the rest of my work going. So I've been quiet.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4208433616422614307.post-40407315623662310802010-08-22T19:03:00.000-07:002010-07-21T22:14:01.128-07:00Check out GSBI in Santa Clara University, Aug 26, 2010!!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The folks at Santa Clara University asked me if I would post this on my blog. I fully support this initiative (have already <a href="http://tworque.blogspot.com/search/label/SantaClaraUniversity">blogged about</a> them before) so I'm doing so:</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">_____________________________</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: bold; white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">Global Social Benefit Incubator</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;font-size:x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia, serif;font-size:medium;">Please join Santa Clara University's Center for Science, Technology, and Society for business plan presentations by the 2010 Global Social Benefit Incubator entrepreneurs from around the world.</span></div></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia, serif;font-size:medium;">Thursday, August 26, 2010</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">Locatelli Center at Santa Clara University</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><div style="text-align: center;">7:15-8:00 a.m. Continental Breakfast </div><div style="text-align: center;">8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Business Plan Presentations</div><div style="text-align: center;">12:00 p.m.-1:15 p.m. Lunch 1:15 p.m-6:15 p.m. Business Plan Presentations</div><div style="text-align: center;">6:15 p.m.-7:45 p.m. Reception</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The <a href="http://www.scu.edu/sts/gsbi/">Global Social Benefit Incubator</a> (GSBITM) program at <a href="http://www.scu.edu/sts/gsbi/">Santa Clara University</a> enables proof of concept social ventures that serve the base of the pyramid to become sustainable at scale. It combines classroom instruction in finance, marketing creation, organizational development, and business planning with case studies, best practices and, most importantly, carefully matched Silicon Valley mentors.<br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The invited entrepreneurs have demonstrated that their innovations can have a significant impact on alleviating poverty and empowering human development in the most adverse circumstances around the world. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">In 2010, the STS Center launched a three-year initiative to focus on “Renewable Energy for the Underserved.” This initiative will explore several segments of the clean energy field including off-grid power and light , second generation bio-fuels, energy saving devices , and related value chain organizations such as technology providers, financial services, and distribution. This year, we have 12 social entrepreneurs that are representing the Renewable Energy Sector in the GSBI class of 2010.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> Living and learning together, GSBI participants develop practical know-how and a true sense of community. At the August 26th summary business plan presentations, you will see how the unique GSBI learning environment contribute to the innovative adaptation of technology and models of social change, in combination with validated business plans, to accelerate the potential for social entrepreneurship. We know you will be inspired by the work of the 2010 Global Social Benefit Incubator class and the promise of their innovative business plans.<br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">To RSVP: visit <a href="http://www.scu.edu/sts/PublicEngagement/Events.cfm?event=15869">http://www.scu.edu/sts/PublicEngagement/Events.cfm?event=15869</a> or email us at <span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Lucida Grande';">gsbi2010@scu.edu. </span> For further information call the <a href="http://www.scu.edu/sts/">Center for Science, Technology, and Society, Santa Clara University</a>, (408) 551-6027, or email sdale@scu.edu. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">If you have a disability and require a reasonable accommodation, please call the Center or 1-800-735-2929 (TTY-California Relay) at least 48 hours prior to the event. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;font-size:11px;"><br /></span></span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4208433616422614307.post-76918103130687887882010-07-22T20:59:00.000-07:002010-07-22T20:59:00.761-07:00Cool collage: Waste into Art<div>For the past several days I've been seeing a group of students busily doing an "art project" on the side of the building that's on the way from my office to the school cafeteria. (Usually that's not a good sign...but it is Singapore...you can't do too many bad things here!). On closer inspection, I was seriously impressed.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi98IpRr9XeCgOzIzjg7LoQ6A7KhJcRl_oPEWwajmj46P2-ruouEGsWy6NpZ56sXUOMkKkmig3S14QCcihnfb1bL-3MJ4IeWCkuk2FAKI244e0BVL2cGrd3j-FNacwWr2Gjm53pxHLLA-o/s1600/photo.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi98IpRr9XeCgOzIzjg7LoQ6A7KhJcRl_oPEWwajmj46P2-ruouEGsWy6NpZ56sXUOMkKkmig3S14QCcihnfb1bL-3MJ4IeWCkuk2FAKI244e0BVL2cGrd3j-FNacwWr2Gjm53pxHLLA-o/s320/photo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496577924189663698" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTc5ocIA6DFRT0mcijQpHrXpWWkanQoIlKhKPTA8GONckRCMamXw55vPURM__wX5fFX3xu5JaBF2we6KUINtizB0EFdVLmpRBo5GDUIqkLmkN5P1mhQZZ9MJ2Nce08ITb5kS6UWwc8ek4/s1600/photo-2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTc5ocIA6DFRT0mcijQpHrXpWWkanQoIlKhKPTA8GONckRCMamXw55vPURM__wX5fFX3xu5JaBF2we6KUINtizB0EFdVLmpRBo5GDUIqkLmkN5P1mhQZZ9MJ2Nce08ITb5kS6UWwc8ek4/s320/photo-2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496576437641362418" /></a><div>Here's a student working on it. The tools are simple. Used aluminium cans of various colors, a paper background with the design outlined, and some hardy glue, and of course people to do the work :-)</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTc5ocIA6DFRT0mcijQpHrXpWWkanQoIlKhKPTA8GONckRCMamXw55vPURM__wX5fFX3xu5JaBF2we6KUINtizB0EFdVLmpRBo5GDUIqkLmkN5P1mhQZZ9MJ2Nce08ITb5kS6UWwc8ek4/s1600/photo-2.jpg"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS7DN_I0kniMmAtLpsV9JMiHflk5bdnDSixIVgTisQ1Jarpa-pS722J7-l0L7UARH2RbEeW25ZT6k_eTINwOFy_UjCP5UL9Zw2bzfdZlNxXQdsCFQfBNmeCUdQW_gXi1Bopnj9V-b7fOs/s1600/photo-1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS7DN_I0kniMmAtLpsV9JMiHflk5bdnDSixIVgTisQ1Jarpa-pS722J7-l0L7UARH2RbEeW25ZT6k_eTINwOFy_UjCP5UL9Zw2bzfdZlNxXQdsCFQfBNmeCUdQW_gXi1Bopnj9V-b7fOs/s320/photo-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496576111211701778" /></a><div>If you look closer, you'll see the remnants of drink cans (many are Asian specific drinks, so you may not recognize them). Some of the white pieces are pieces of Diet coke cans, the red pieces are from coca cola cans, and the black from coke zero!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS7DN_I0kniMmAtLpsV9JMiHflk5bdnDSixIVgTisQ1Jarpa-pS722J7-l0L7UARH2RbEeW25ZT6k_eTINwOFy_UjCP5UL9Zw2bzfdZlNxXQdsCFQfBNmeCUdQW_gXi1Bopnj9V-b7fOs/s1600/photo-1.jpg"></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The kids were undergraduates in the Law program at NUS. They have to put together a float for their department, during some Uni parade. Low on funds, one insightful person came up with this design. I LIKE!!</div><div><div><br /></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4208433616422614307.post-41700963303411427462010-07-21T17:59:00.001-07:002010-07-21T20:49:25.742-07:00Watch "Water on the Table"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNDssmwrJDj9j2Okxd7JkhzyZ5ReT2dbt5_8hOm_ksMfuvs_mwOVPaE4OiMHwe2elmQwcIMaU7DcOH9PKHVi02c73bAAMLqbjXSZyEWl_rWenfU74AZAK-5M2ulk0H8UeHNROubtccObeX/s1600/water+on+the+table+1a.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 950px; height: 634px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNDssmwrJDj9j2Okxd7JkhzyZ5ReT2dbt5_8hOm_ksMfuvs_mwOVPaE4OiMHwe2elmQwcIMaU7DcOH9PKHVi02c73bAAMLqbjXSZyEWl_rWenfU74AZAK-5M2ulk0H8UeHNROubtccObeX/s1600/water+on+the+table+1a.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial, serif;">Filmmakers Maude Barlow and Liz Marshall talk during the filming of "Water on the Table." (Click on the picture for original photo source) </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;font-size:small;"><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Have you seen </span><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qVzb9rPY9Q"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Water on the Table</span></a></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">?? It is a film by </span><a href="http://www.lizmars.com/about-liz.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Liz Marshall</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> and </span><a href="http://www.cbc.ca/lifeandtimes/barlow.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Maude Barlow</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, about the humanity of water.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> I first heard about it when it was featured in one of my college auditoriums at Lake Forest College in the US. Along with promoting this documentary, the book </span><i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Gold-Fight-Corporate-Worlds/dp/1565848136"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Blue Gold</span></a></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> written by Barlow and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Clarke_(activist)"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Tony Clarke</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, was also promoted. It is claimed that film director, Liz Marshall, was truly inspired by the book and had decided on bringing a visual aspect to pass on the message.</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:monospace, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5qVzb9rPY9Q&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/5qVzb9rPY9Q&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The message was simple-“water is a human right and not a commodity to be bought and sold like oil and sugar.” This documentary is both beautiful and poetic, as well as controversial and thought provoking. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">If you have not seen it, I would strongly recommend doing so</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;font-size:medium;">More links:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;font-size:medium;"><i>Water on the Table</i> main website: <a href="http://www.wateronthetable.com/">http://www.wateronthetable.com/</a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;font-size:medium;">You can also follow them on twitter: <a href="http://twitter.com/wateronthetable">@wateronthetable</a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;font-size:medium;">Another great review of the same film: <a href="http://www.artandculturemaven.com/2010/03/water-on-table-documentary-about-maude.html">http://www.artandculturemaven.com/2010/03/water-on-table-documentary-about-maude.html</a> </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;font-size:medium;">------</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap;font-size:medium;"><i>This is the first in a series of posts by KS, an intern who is working with me over the summer. </i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"></span></span></div></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4208433616422614307.post-62239729557839801692010-07-19T01:26:00.000-07:002010-07-19T09:35:44.158-07:00Links I likedI'm in the middle of reading through my blogroll after a very long time. I've just been inundated with work, and am finally able to make the time to catch up on my reading. Here are some of the best of the links I've seen so far:<br /><br />1. I<a href="http://www.ssireview.org/articles/entry/qa_jeffrey_sachs/">nteresting Q&A session</a> with popular development economist and author of "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_End_of_Poverty">The End of Poverty</a>", Prof <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeffrey_Sachs">Jeffrey Sachs</a><br /><br />2. Diagnostics continue to be the bottleneck for most healthcare in the developing world. Therefore, it shouldn't be surprising that <a href="http://www.scidev.net/en/news/cheap-diabetes-test-developed-in-vietnam.html?utm_source=link&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=en_news">this particular cheap diagnostic test</a> out of Vietnam is causing ripples.<br /><br />3. Around a fifth of global science papers are now freely available online,<a href="http://www.scidev.net/en/news/global-open-access-slowly-growing-study-finds-.html?utm_source=link&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=en_news"> a study</a> finds, with Latin America and India leading the pack!<br /><br />4. <a href="http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/07/12/ask-a-garbologist/">Ask a garbologist </a>questions. Fascinating potential discussion and amusing writeup.<br /><br />5. <a href="http://bit.ly/d1EyX1">Belgium is considering resomation</a>...would you want to be resomated after you die??<div><br /></div><div>6. How "easy" do you think <a href="http://sanitationupdates.wordpress.com/2010/06/27/cambodian-easy-latrine-wins-international-design-award/">this award-winning "easy latrine"</a> is??<br /><br />7. <a href="http://www.psfk.com/2010/07/billions-of-gallons-of-water-from-alaskan-lake-to-be-shipped-to-india.html">Alaskan water being shipped to India</a>...(seriously!)<br /><br /><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4208433616422614307.post-62177710263622045932010-07-16T06:26:00.000-07:002010-07-16T06:50:55.381-07:00CHECK OUT the BBC World Debate on Water...airing THIS WEEKEND<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4135/4758766241_dbed4ec960.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4135/4758766241_dbed4ec960.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Panelists debate water issues at the BBC World Debate, filmed live on location in Singapore. Photo Credit: </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/51739884@N04/4758766241/">Institute of Water Policy</a><br /><br />A couple of weeks ago, my colleagues and I helped put together the first <a href="http://newshub.nus.edu.sg/headlines/0710/bbc_06Jul10.php">BBC World Debate on Water</a>. Its the first time that such a major network has done such a high profile debate on the issue of water (and might I say, about time!!).<br /><br />The event was part of our attempt to bring more public dialoguing about water issues into the limelight. We purposely held it during the famous and very international <a href="http://www.siww.com.sg/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Singapore International Water Week</span></a> (a week-long conference that brings together almost 15,000 water geeks from all over the world), so that we could get an international and eclectic audience into the room who could then take their viewpoints to others. Only 250 people were allowed to attend the live filming, and they came from around the world...ranging from high school kids to high profile water ministers.<br /><br />Feedback has been very positive thus far. And we are happy that you can all finally see it too!!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" ><u>The <span class="il">BBC</span> <span class="il">World</span> <span class="il">Debate</span> on Water will air worldwide THIS WEEKEND as follows</u><u>.</u></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> Please note that ALL times listed below are in SGT (Singapore Time). Please check local listings for the exact time in your country or area, (its supposed to be the singapore time converted into whatever your timezone is but I'm not sure):</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span class="il"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span></span></span></span></span><blockquote style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="il"><span style="font-weight: bold;">BBC WORLD DEBATE<br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">"IS THE WORLD RUNNING OUT OF WATER??"<br /></span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />On the BBC</span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-weight: bold;" class="il">World</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> News Channel</span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" ><br />Saturday, 17 JULY 2010, 17:10 (SGT)</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" ><br />Sunday, 18 JULY 2010, 10:10 (SGT) and 23:10 (SGT)</span> </blockquote><br />Should you miss seeing it on TV, you can watch it online starting next week, directly on the <span class="il">BBC</span> site at <a href="http://www.bbcworldnews.com/Pages/ProgrammeMultiFeature.aspx?id=196" target="_blank">http://www.bbcworldnews.com/<wbr>Pages/ProgrammeMultiFeature.<wbr>aspx?id=196</a><br /><br />Please feel free to forward this around. <b>Also we would love to hear your feedback on the event</b>. Do email us back with comments, questions, and/or suggestions about the event (eg. how we can make it better or other types of events you would like to see us host)!<br /><br />Do email me at tworque AT gmail DOT com, with your feedback.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4208433616422614307.post-56592025316143136092010-07-12T08:20:00.000-07:002010-07-12T08:20:00.353-07:00The Sanitation Crisis explored by Current TV's Adam Yamaguchi<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i2.crtcdn.net/images/ed/2010/03/08/082741.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 2136px; height: 3216px;" src="http://i2.crtcdn.net/images/ed/2010/03/08/082741.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:medium;"><b><div><br /></div><div>Adam Yamaguchi on site in India (http://i2.crtcdn.net/images/ed/2010/03/08/082741.jpg)</div><div><br /></div>Sanitation crisis documentary<br /><br /></b>Vanguard correspondent Adam Yamaguchi travels to India, Singapore and Indonesia to understand why people don't use toilets and what's being done to end the practice of open defecation.<br /><br />An estimated 2.6 billion people, about 40% of the world's population, have no access to toilets and defecate anywhere they can. As a result, more than 2 million people -- including 1.5 million children -- die from complications of chronic diarrhea.<br /><br />When human waste isn't contained or flushed down the toilet, it's everywhere -- in streets, open fields and, most dangerously, in the very water people drink. Adam investigates how countries are trying to solve an epidemic that few people want to talk about -- the world's toilet crisis.<br /><br />"Vanguard," airing weekly on Current TV Wednesdays at 10/9c, is a no-limits documentary series whose award-winning correspondents put themselves in extraordinary situations to immerse viewers in global issues that have a large social significance. Unlike sound-bite driven reporting, the show's correspondents, Adam Yamaguchi, Kaj Larsen, Christof Putzel and Mariana van Zeller, serve as trusted guides who take viewers on in-depth real life adventures in pursuit of some of the world's most important stories.<br /><br /><a href="http://current.com/shows/vanguard/92482205_the-worlds-toilet-crisis.htm" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(20, 125, 186); ">http://current.com/shows/<wbr>vanguard/92482205_the-worlds-<wbr>toilet-crisis.htm</a> </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4208433616422614307.post-70550737967842527852010-07-11T08:17:00.000-07:002010-07-11T08:20:29.154-07:00Is the World Ready for Waterless Urinals?? Article from WIRED<div>Gotten from Wired Magazine, July 2010. Credits below</div><div><br /></div><div>____________</div><div><br /></div>Pissing Match: Is the World Ready for the Waterless Urinal?"<br /><br />By Joshua Davis June 22, 2010 | 12:00 pm | Wired July 2010<br /><br />In a laboratory 10 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, a mechanical penis sputters to life. A technician starts a timer as a stream of water erupts from the apparatus’s brass tip, arcing into a urinal mounted exactly 12 inches away. James Krug smiles. His latest back-splatter experiment is under way.<br /><br />Krug is an unusual entrepreneur. Twenty years ago, he was a rising star in the film and television business. He served as a vice president of the Disney Channel in the 1980s and ran a distribution company with members of the Disney family in the ’90s. But 11 years ago, Krug became convinced that the world did not need another TV show. What it needed was a better urinal.<br /><br />His transformation from Hollywood player to urinal evangelist began in 1999 at the Universal Studios Hilton in LA. A business acquaintance of Krug knew that he was interested in exploring new opportunities and arranged a meeting with Ditmar Gorges, a German engineer who fervently believed that flushing a urinal was a waste of water. Sitting in the Hilton lobby, Gorges gushed potty talk. He explained that he had invented a water-free urinal and pointed out that urine was already liquid and a generally sterile liquid at that. Gravity could drain it completely. No flush necessary.<br /><br /><br />Krug immediately grasped the implications: The German’s humble innovation had the potential to save millions of gallons of water at a time when demand for the natural resource was draining aquifers dry. It would do more than any film or TV show to solve a pressing problem. Krug decided to help.<br /><br />Drawing on sales skills he’d honed at the Cannes Film Festival, Krug dived into the bathroom business. He formed Falcon Waterfree Technologies with Gorges and explained to anyone who would listen that the water-free urinal would save more than just water: In California, a fifth of the electrical output was consumed by processing and pumping water. Cutting water usage would reduce our carbon footprint.<br /><br />Falcon wasn’t the first to develop a waterless urinal. A company near San Diego had been struggling to sell them since 1991. But Krug made a conceptual breakthrough: The real profits wouldn’t come from the urinals themselves. They’d come from selling the replaceable cartridges that sat in each of the waterless receptacles.<br /><br />In a traditional urinal, water pools in the drain after every flush, preventing sewer gases from escaping into living areas. Gorges’ invention employed a plastic cartridge filled with a liquid sealant. Urine could pass through, but sewer gases remained trapped beneath the sealant no water needed. The $40 cartridge had to be replaced after 7,000 uses, turning a onetime urinal purchase into a perpetual income stream. Krug’s business model took a page out of the Gillette playbook: Keep the urinal cost low and lock customers in to buying the cartridges.<br /><br />He quickly won converts. Cable tycoon Marc Nathanson made a substantial investment in early 2000, and in 2001 Falcon began to manufacture its urinal, dubbed the U1P. Soon Al Gore signed on as an adviser, and in 2006, Jeff Skoll, the first president of eBay, made a significant investment. Krug was sure the world was ready for a better bowl there hadn’t been any major advances in urinal technology for decades but there was something he wasn’t prepared for: the plumbers.<br /><br />Mike Massey didn’t like Krug’s urinal. As head of PIPE, a plumbing union advocacy group in Southern California, Massey looks out for plumbers’ interests. And as far as he was concerned, the waterless urinal was a threat to public health. Diseases might fester because the urinals weren’t being washed down with every use. Sewer gasses might leak through the cartridge. “People take plumbing for granted,” Massey says. “But the reality is that plumbers protect the health of the nation. That’s how we think of our job.”<br /><br />Full story at Wired: http://current.com/1fnmo4cUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4208433616422614307.post-35069352430579749872010-06-10T08:46:00.000-07:002010-06-10T09:10:37.557-07:00Voices are Crying<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://myhero.com/images/Aids/philly1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 326px; height: 450px;" src="http://myhero.com/images/Aids/philly1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><div><b>Musician Philly Lutaaya (</b><a href="http://myhero.com/images/Aids/philly1.jpg"><b>photo source</b></a><b>)</b></div><div><br /></div>A friend of mine from Uganda sent me this. I thought I should share it... I agree. DO take a listen...<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div></div><blockquote><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">There was a popular Ugandan muscian called Philly Lutaaya. He went to exile in Sweden in 1979 and returned to Uganda in 1988 to a hero's welcome. Unfortunately he soon discovered he had AIDS. This was a time when most people across the world were still ignorant about the disease. To create awareness, he asked for his last days to be filmed and a wonderful 2 hour documentary of him was shot by the Swedish Red Cross. It was shown in many countries to create Aids awareness.</span></div><div> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Philly was an incredible musician, one of my favourite songs that he did before passing on in 1989 was titled "voices are crying". This song is about the suffering of Africa's peoples at the hands of their leaders.</span></div><div> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Do take a listen, the lyrics are trully moving </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgmgKQagFuA" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(20, 125, 186); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">http://www.youtube.com/</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><wbr>watch?v=KgmgKQagFuA</span></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/KgmgKQagFuA&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/KgmgKQagFuA&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></span></div></blockquote><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"></span></div></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4208433616422614307.post-84044741855031035402010-06-10T08:43:00.001-07:002010-06-10T08:46:14.460-07:00UpdateI'm sorry I've been so quiet the past several months. I was in the process of jobhunting, interviewing and finally moving to a new country. I just moved to Singapore to take up a job at a startup water policy think tank. I'm planning on launching a blog for the organization. Lots of good water stuff will be coming up there. Look out!<div><br /></div><div>My blogging here will suffer (no less than it already has!), but I will do my best to be more regular. Thanks for still sticking around...</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0