What does international aid and a leech have in common? Welcome to my blog.

International aidwork is currently on a long, bumpy journey.  We are moving from something akin to medieval medicine, with barber surgeons and leeches, to something more like modern medical practice with proven interventions and widely-implemented ethical standards.  Today, most international aid organizations are still at the point where – upon discovering a sick person –  they throw leeches on the wound to see what happens.  Sometimes the leeches save the person’s life.  And sometimes they kill the person.  Usually, we don’t know why either outcome occurred.  In fact, sometimes we don’t actually know which outcome occurred.  I believe we can have proven interventions, qualified professionals, standards, and a widely-adopted and practiced ethical code, as in the medical sector in many countries.  At the very least, we can be more honest with ourselves and the so-called “beneficiaries” of our aid about what we know and don’t know, in addition to the limitations of our help.  But this is a very long way from where we currently are.

I am of the first generation in which people set out to be educated, critical international aidworkers (not colonists, missionaries, or travelers, but true, international public servants).  Up to ten years ago, nearly all aidworkers wound up in this work by accident.  They were dissatisfied lawyers, social workers, doctors, and others.  My generation is the first to approach it a legitimate, professional track.  We have classes in it, experts to learn from, and now even whole degree programs dedicated to it.  We’re not volunteers or “bleeding-hearts”.  We are serious and critical analyst-actiontakers.  We are fiercely committed to finding out what works, what does not work, and why.  We are also committed to genuine, respectful partnerships with the communities to whom aid is provided.  And we want to change the way aidwork has been done, managed, and led.

This blog is about my experiences as one member of this new cadre of international public servants.  It’s also about my struggle as one of the many people who are trying to catalyze this growth in the international aid business. 

Please also note: These opinions are my own and do not represent any of the organizations I have worked for or for which I currently work.  I don’t plan to mention specific names.  Please comment widely.  My opinions are always developing, and I appreciate your feedback.

So, onward with the revolution!  Thanks for reading.