The Humanitarian Blog
Jan 2 2009
I’m in Round 2! Can You Help Me Make the Top 10?
Posted in: MIT Facts
As I mentioned in my last entry, Change.org is running a competition that'll propel 10 ideas to the fore of the next administration's agenda. In Round 1, people came up with 7,783 ideas. Only 87 (about 1%) made it to Round 2, and the idea to "Establish a 'Global Challenges Wikipedia' to Empower Problem Solvers" was among them!
I owe that victory to you, and now I'm counting on you to get this idea into the Top 10. Let's send a message, loud and clear, that we don't need to rely on dishonest voting tactics to win, as others in the competition have – we've shown that we can win the old-fashioned way, and we can do so again.
IDEA
The proposed wiki would describe the following for every pressing global challenge such as climate change and weapons proliferation:
[1] What successful and failed policies have been deployed to address it in the past;
[2] What measures need to be taken to move forward;
[3] Which international institutions, governments, businesses, NGOs, and individuals are... read the post »
Dec 19 2008
Please Vote for My Idea for the Obama Administration!
Posted in: MIT Facts
I initially promised that I'd go away after graduating, but I think that I might pop back in every now and then if the occasion's right. =)
So, here's the deal: Change.org is sponsoring a competition whereby anyone can post an idea for making America better. The ten ideas that receive the most votes will be presented to Barack Obama on Inauguration Day. They'll also receive the support of a national lobbying campaign run by Change.org, MySpace, and more than a dozen high-profile NGOs. In short, the ten winning ideas have a real chance of being implemented.
All you have to do is go here and click on the "Vote" icon in the top left-hand corner. My idea needs 100 votes to make it to the second round, and the deadline for voting in the first round is December 31st.
I'd greatly appreciate your taking a few seconds to cast your vote and bring my idea closer to becoming one of the Obama administration's priorities!
Sep 2 2008
My Last Blog: Introducing My Successor
Posted in: MIT Facts
It's been nearly three months since I graduated MIT. With the freshman class starting school tomorrow, it's strange to think that I won't be returning to my beloved 254 suite in Burton-Conner, hanging out with the SuMmErFuN folks, and trekking up and down the Infinite multiple times a day. I miss MIT dearly, but feel so lucky to've experienced even an infinitesimal fraction of what it has to offer these past four years. To the Class of 2012 -- four years is an incredibly short time, and each one passes a little faster.
I'm currently a Junior Fellow at the Carnegie Endowment, a think tank that's based in D.C, studying democratization and governance in China. Given that I'm a twig, it never ceases to amuse me that the other fellow in my program is a certified body builder and a walking encyclopedia of information on health and nutrition. We've done a comprehensive study of Beijing's performance in the Olympics and conducted research for a report on how the next administration should... read the post »
May 31 2008
Two Cool Projects
Posted in: MIT Facts
In this second-to-last entry, I want to encourage all of you to check out two projects:
(1) Sacha Yaku ("Jungle Water")
The brainchild of Kendra Johnson '09, Sacha Yaku aims to empower the women of Santa Ana, Ecuador through the sale of their jewelry and ceramics. It is analogous to Emerge, for those of you who are familiar with Alia Whitney-Johnson:
Twice a year, Sacha Yaku will purchase ceramics and jewelry from the women individually. Sinchi Warmi can choose to ask its members to contribute a portion of these to bulk purchase of materials, tools, etc.
Women will be paid a fair price for their work, at least double the price they obtain in Puyo, which is so low that few women consider it worth the time and investment.
The jewelry and ceramics will be brought back to the United States and the unique pieces placed in Art Galleries, where people will be able to buy one-of-a-kind pieces of art that will really make a difference in the artisan's life. Other pieces of jewelry will... read the post »
May 21 2008
P.S.—Check out the Booklet!
Posted in: MIT Facts
I forgot to mention that America in the World: MIT Speaks has been published! You can check it out at http://web.mit.edu/cis/pdf/FAP%20Booklet.pdf.