Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with humanitarian

Great idea for a course--horribly misdirected.

k. — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 22:16:41 -0800

I'm taking an innovative course on using technology for humanitarian causes, taught by a professor I really like. But it's awful! How can I tell him what I think, and/or turn this disaster of a course into something worthwhile? My hopes were high at first, because I was really excited about the topic: I wanted to learn how to use my technical skills to do something good for people, instead of just to make money. I'm hoping to find a job in my field that does some kind of good, since I'm not sure I could stand it otherwise.

But the course turned out to be very different: it seems to be entirely about giving people computers. Dumping gadgets on people is of questionable long-term value, and, most importantly, it doesn't teach us students anything about how to use our skills--which are not about donating technology but about making it--to make the world better place. We read case studies of projects that gave people technology, and we're installing a computer lab made from donated computers in a local public housing project. While this kind of community-service might help some people in the short term, it sure isn't teaching us any new technical skills or any ways to use our existing skills to help people in the future.

I don't think using technical knowledge for the common good is an unreasonable idea. Engineers Without Borders does it all the time; so does the Humanitarian FOSS (Free and Open-Source Software) Project. And, given that we're adept at crunching numbers and have a GIS expert on hand, I'm sure there's a lot of climate- and environment-related stuff we could work on as well. All great things, but not what we're doing in this class.

The course is small and somewhat student-directed, so I may be able to push the class (or my own work in it) more toward something I could actually learn from. But I have to do this very carefully, for two reasons. First, our class is effectively committed to the housing project's computer lab, so any additional projects or "field work" we take on has to be in addition to our work on that (in other words, at least some of us have to continue the work on that and probably most will). Second, I don't want to seem oppositional or offensive, because I really like the professor--he's a fascinating person and one of the best teachers I've had--and I want him to like me too.

How should I express my doubts about the course, and how might I try to shift the focus more toward material from which I might actually learn something?

Continuing educational opportunities in humanitarian law

Nothing — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 09:17:44 -0800

Looking for continuing educational opportunities related to my field (international humanitarian law) to best take advantage of a few months off work. I will have a few months off this summer / fall, from mid August to mid November, and I would like to spend them in the U.S. (DC area or Boston area are what I am looking at now, but I am flexible) taking a course, attending a seminar, or doing a training. It is too late for most summer courses and too early for fall, so I am looking for additional options.

I am most interested in international relations and refugee / idp protection, but related things like monitoring and evaluation, project management, and security are good too. Or even an intensive Arabic course.

Famous people quitting their day jobs to do humanitarian work full time?

querty — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 00:37:26 -0800

Have there been any pro athletes / CEOs / celebrities (famous actors and musicians) in the past 100 years who have quit their careers midway to do humanitarian work full time? I want to make a case that people at the top do not care. They don't want change.

Let's say if Kobe Bryant goes on the news tomorrow and announces that he's quitting pro sports to do humanitarian work full time. That would be the perfect answer for my question.

Would like to hear some names, see some links and articles.

Does humanitarian work inevitably leave you bitter?

daelin — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 07:03:50 -0800

My friend is going to Kenya and Uganda to do some humanitarian work this summer. She's afraid that when she returns she'll be disgusted by the shallowness of people's problems and concerns back home, to the point of being unable to relate to anyone. Is this likely, and if so, can it be prevented? Should it be prevented? As part of her preparation my friend went to a talk given by someone who worked as a midwife in Darfur. The midwife spoke about how when she arrived back home, things people would complain about (like, say, bad haircuts) made her furious because they were so disconnected from the far more serious problems going on in the rest of the world. She even told one of her best friends, "I don't give a shit about your problems," apparently. All this worries my friend, who's planning on going into health development later in life; she fears becoming bitter and disillusioned and constantly frustrated after a few years in that line of work.

For my own part, I am obviously not too keen on getting that sort of response if I try to lean on my friend for support after she's gone and come back. But the truth is, it seems that I would deserve it, because the things that trouble my life are pretty petty and insignificant in the grand scheme of things, and I really don't do anything philanthropic at all (well, I give to charity, but I consider that a minimum expectation rather than something significant). Is it best to just accept that that's the sort of outlook - one that seems quite justified - that my friend may grow into, and that consequently she may drift away from me? Do selfish people like me only deserve friends who are similarly selfish?

I'm sorry if this is rather a mishmash of questions; I am asking partly on her behalf, but also on mine. Any advice - anecdotes, correction of my premises, whatever you think would help - would be deeply appreciated. Thanks in advance, MeFi.

What are some good blogs written by Californians about humanitarian projects in the area?

cmyers — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 09:56:00 -0800

What are some good blogs written by Californians about humanitarian projects in the area? Doctors without Borders is planning a tour of its outdoor educational exhibit A Refugee Camp in the Heart of the City in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and San Diego in October and November. A friend of mine is working for their public-relations department and is looking for California-area blogs to publicize the tour. Know of any?

Becoming a humanitarian de-miner

isopraxis — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 13:54:05 -0800

I am interested in becoming a humanitarian de-miner. This FPP reminded about my interest. A brief search has brought up a couple of organizations, but I was hoping some people here might be able to provide some practical insight. Is this foolish, feasable or just downright romantic thinking about making a real difference? The idealistic side of me is concerned that I should be doing more for the good of mankind. I'm at a place in life where I could afford a long-term leave-of-absence and do something more significant than just putting money in the bank.

I've never been in the military, but I'm a resilient former farm boy with excellent mechanical aptitude, I'm quite comfortable working in aversive environments and doing without western comforts. I'm in great physical shape and I don't have any attachments that would be an impediment to such kind of service. Is this a realistic desire / pursuit or am I just being a quixotic dreamer about escaping the work-a-day world of the west for something more meaningful?

Preferably I would like to go the NGO route. What organizations should I contact as I begin my search for info? Anybody in the know - how would you go about this?

Getting Help to the People of Bangladesh

watercarrier — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 08:43:27 -0800

Where Can People Send Help to Bangladesh? Is there a grass-roots organization that ensures that all donations are received and given directly to the people of disasters such as that in Bangladesh right now?

Is there a place where people can volunteer? And is there any way to pinpoint specifically what is needed so that people can provide those things - again directly to the people?

Who will be sending help from the states?

killyb — Tue, 25 Jul 2006 07:52:31 -0800

Where does one go if they're interested in humanitarian work in war-torn countries. What organizations send people off to Lebanon, Israel, or even Solamia to help with war/postwar efforts. Not so much rebuilding (Halliburton/KBR), but helping people (Red Cross, United Way). I'm more interested in long term assistance, nothing under 6 months.