from the horizon

I would like to take some of the principles of Web 2.0 and apply them to International Aid, to look at how technology can flatten the hierarchical systems, engage people and bring them close together.

First of all I would share my idea of how Aid works (or doesn’t work, as some may argue). I wouldn’t call myself an expert, but I have some experience on the subject having worked for the Aid Industry in Indonesia, Pakistan and Uganda. I’ve also talked with the people in the industry, and read up on the subject.

I say Aid “Industry” quite deliberately, because it is huge. There are billions of dollars floating around, hundreds of different organizations, all trying to get their cut, and thousands of people who have built careers in the industry. The following diagram is a simplified view of the flow of Aid.

I should emphasize that the majority of Aid, isn’t given directly by people in developed countries, but instead comes from their governments, often giving grants worth millions of dollars.

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