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EVENTSFOOD AND WATERINSPIRATIONNEWS

Transforming Africa’s Food Systems Webinar​

Jesuit Justice Ecology Network Africa (JENA) in collaboration with Academics Stand Against Poverty (ASAP), and Global Justice Program, Yale University organized a webinar themed, “Transforming Africa’s Food System towards Poverty Eradication”, drawing insights from a rich pool of experts across the globe.

The webinar was held on December 7, 2022, from 3:00 to 5:00 pm East African Time. The webinar drew from the urgent need to reform the current food system to adhere to the present realities as the world works towards transitioning into sustainable food systems. The themes of the webinar and points of discussion captured the reality in most parts of the African continent and other parts of the globe coming to terms with social and economic challenges.

The goal of the webinar and theme was to collate and share insights believed to be integral in driving the food security agenda in the face of growing development challenges likely stemming from past successes and progress toward creating sustainable food systems that meet the needs of the region.

The full report can be obtained at https://globaljustice.yale.edu/news/food-systems-webinar 

Kevin Ouko, the writer of this post,  is a Research and Policy Analyst on Rethinking Africa’s Development at JENA

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Ambedkar Grants for Advancing Poverty Eradication, Funding Opportunity

AGAPE is an initiative by Academics Stand Against Poverty (ASAP) to fund promising projects that will pilot innovative approaches to poverty eradication.

AnnouncementsEVENTS

The ninth annual Amartya Sen Prize

This year, Global Financial Integrity, Academics Stand Against Poverty, and Yale’s Global Justice Program will be awarding the ninth annual Amartya Sen Prizes to the two best original essays examining one particular component of illicit financial flows, the resulting harms, and possible avenues of reform. Essays should be about 7,000 to 9,000 words long. There is a first prize of USD 5,000 and a second prize of USD 3,000. Winning essays must be available for publication in Journal Academics Stand Against Poverty.

Illicit financial flows are explicitly recognized as an obstacle to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and singled out as target #4 of SDG 16. They are defined as cross-border movements of funds that are illegally earned, transferred, or used – such as funds earned through illegal trafficking in persons, drugs or weapons; funds illegally transferred through mispriced exchanges (e.g., among affiliates of a multinational firm seeking to shift profits to reduce taxes); goods misinvoiced or funds moved in order to evade taxes; and funds used for corruption of or by public or corporate officials.

Components of illicit financial flows can be delimited by sector or geographically. Delimitation by sector might focus your essay on some specific activity, business or industry – such as art, real estate, health care, technology, entertainment, shipping, weapons, agriculture, sports, gaming, education, politics, tourism, natural resource extraction, banking and financial services – or on an even narrower subsector such as the diamond trade, hunting, insurance, or prostitution. Delimitation by geography might further narrow the essay’s focus to some region, country, or province.

Your essay should describe the problematic activity and evaluate the adverse effects that make it problematic. You should estimate, in quantitative terms if possible, the magnitude of the relevant outflows as well as the damage they do to affected institutions and populations. This might include harm from abuse, exploitation and impoverishment of individuals, harm through subdued economic activity and reduced prosperity, and/or harm through diminished tax revenues that depress public spending.

Your essay should also explain the persistence of the harmful activity in terms of relevant incentives and enabling conditions and, based on your explanation, propose plausible ways to curtail the problem. Such reform efforts might be proposed at diverse levels, including supranational rules and regimes, national rules, corporate policies, professional ethics, individual initiatives, or any combination thereof. The task is to identify who has the responsibility, the capacity and (potentially) the knowledge and motivation to change behavior toward effective curtailment. Special consideration will be given to papers that provide a detailed description of how change may come about in a particular geographical or sectoral context.

We welcome authors from diverse academic disciplines and from outside the academy. Please send your entry by email attachment on or before 31 August 2022 to Tom Cardamone at SenPrize@gfintegrity.org. While your message should identify you, your essay should be stripped of self-identifying references, formatted for blind review.

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Join the ASAP Fellowship: Be a Fellow of Global Justice!

The ASAP Fellowship is a unique opportunity for emerging scholars and activists to work alongside leading experts in the fight against global poverty and strengthening democracy. Through a combination of mentorship, research collaboration, and networking opportunities, the ASAP Fellowship is designed to equip you with the expertise and insights needed to effect tangible positive change in the world.

What You’ll Gain:

  • One-to-one mentorship from renowned scholars and practitioners in the field of global justice.
  • The chance to collaborate on cutting-edge research and development or civic projects that address pressing poverty or democracy issues.
  • Participation in the annual Yale Global Justice Conference, where you can connect with leading thinkers and policymakers from around the world.
  • Publication opportunities in Journal ASAP, a leading academic journal focused on poverty studies.
  • Access to the ASAP network of alumni and partners.

Eligibility:

  • Applicants must be emerging scholars or activists with a strong commitment to social justice and making democracy work.
  • Master’s degree or equivalent is required / Outstanding ideas and projects are to be considered outside the requirements of academic degrees, from candidates from low income countries.
  • Fluency in English is required.

How to Apply:

  1. Submit your CV and a concept paper (no more than two pages) to Mihai at mihai@academicsstand.org , outlining your research and/or development interests (ongoing work or any novel program/research are welcomed). 
  2. Applications will be reviewed by a committee of ASAP experts.
  3. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to submit a 2 minute elevator pitch type of video clip, with the idea / project of focus for this fellowship and why they should be selected in the ASAP fellowship program.
  4. The ultimate roster of fellows will be shared with the international board of trustees that confirmed the participation as mentors, and each member will express their interest in engaging in individual discussions with the fellows.

Deadline: January 26th, 2024

Frequently Asked Questions:

What are the research themes of the ASAP Fellowship?

The ASAP Fellowship welcomes applications related to research as well as civic and development programs addressing diverse facets of global poverty. It places special emphasis on themes such as social protection, economic inequality, climate change, human rights, and efforts aimed at fortifying democracy. Aspiring fellows are encouraged to explore innovative projects and initiatives within these overarching areas, fostering a comprehensive approach to combating poverty on a global scale.

What is the time commitment for the ASAP Fellowship?

The ASAP Fellowship, spanning one year, necessitates occasional online engagement. It functions as a supportive ecosystem, aiding selected fellows in honing and expanding their ideas/programs. Active individual participation is crucial in the fellowship program. Fellows are anticipated to engage in frequent meetings with mentors, collaborate on research endeavors, and partake in the ASAP Conference, Yale Global Justice Program seminars, or contribute to the Journal ASAP.

What are the financial benefits of the ASAP Fellowship?

The ASAP Fellowship does not provide a stipend and does not require physical presence.

What are the career benefits of the ASAP Fellowship?

Structured as an inventive and interdisciplinary initiative, the ASAP Fellowship engages distinguished academics as mentors, providing participants with a distinct advantage in both the academic and professional realms. Fellows will acquire valuable research and professional skills, establish robust connections, and enjoy the prospect of showcasing their work through publication in ASAP’s academic journal, and also refining and growing their ideas for a more significant impact. This program is designed to enhance your overall competitiveness and open doors to opportunities in academia and the job market.

Terms and Conditions:

  1. Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
  2. Fellows are required to complete all program requirements, including attending meetings, participating in research projects, and presenting their work at the annual ASAP Conference.
  3. Fellows are expected to uphold the highest standards of academic integrity and professional conduct.

We encourage you to spread the word among your networks and nominate promising young scholars to join us in this exciting journey!

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2023 Thoughts from ASAP President

For the ninth consecutive year, hunger and poverty have intensified in 2023. The FAO records a 50% increase in the number of food insecure people during 2014-23 and now considers 40% of the human population unable to afford a healthy diet. The media blame conflict, weather, and local corruption, mostly disregarding transnational structural factors that fuel those drivers of poverty and greatly aggravate their effects. ASAP and the Yale Global Justice Program made these deeper causes the focus of our 2023 annual conference Structural Change, whose video recordings are appearing here.

2023 Amartya Sen Essay Winners & AGAPE Report

At the conference, the three winners of the Tenth Annual Sen Essay Prizes: Bilal Moin, Chad Osorio, and Alexander Jacobs – chosen from among 25 entries and honored in partnership with Global Financial Integrity – presented their work related to illicit cross-border flows of money and goods. Srilakshmi Vajrakarur delivered a progress report on the projects in India that had received Ambedkar Grants for Advancing Poverty Eradication in the inaugural year of this new AGAPE initiative.

2023 ASAP Awards

In addition, we inaugurated three new annual ASAP Awards: Henry Shue was honored with the ASAP Lifetime Achievement Award for his lifelong work on poverty, rights, and climate. Darrell Moellendorf won the ASAP Book Award Monograph of the Year for his Mobilizing Hope: Climate Change and Global Poverty. Kayleigh Garthwaite, Ruth Patrick, Maddy Power, and Rosalie Warnock received the ASAP Book Award Anthology of the Year for their COVID-19 Collaborations: Researching Poverty and Low- Income Family Life during the Pandemic.

2023 Poverty and Migration Webinar

ASAP hosted a transformative Poverty and Migration Webinar, an illuminating event that convened distinguished experts such as Dr. Teresita Cruz Del Rosario, Dr. Nita Mishra, Dr. Catherine Wihtol de Wenden, and Dr. Joseph A. Yaro. Del Rosario explored migration as a poverty-alleviation strategy, while Mishra highlighted education’s role. Wihtol de Wenden analyzed structural factors in international migration, and Yaro provided a thought-provoking discussion on migrants’ journeys from poverty to opportunity. This enriching webinar exemplifies ASAP’s commitment to deepening understanding and fostering actionable insights on global issues.

ASAP Fellowship & ASAP Journal

Additionally, led by Board Member Mihai Lupu, we inaugurated a new ASAP Fellows program that will offer young poverty-focused scholars, predominantly from lower-income countries, the opportunity of structured mentorship by members of ASAP’s Board and Advisory Board. Led by Board Member Michal Apollo, Journal ASAP published its third volume with the three essays that won the ninth annual Amartya Sen Essay Prize competition plus a comment on the African Union’s new membership in the G20, which ASAP has helped mobilize support for. A special issue on food security in Africa is also in progress.

The T20 is an international network of think tanks developing ideas for the G20. During India’s G20 Presidency last year, our Indian partner RIS, led by Yale Global Justice Fellow Sachin Chaturvedi, played a lead role in the T20, enabling us to contribute several policy papers: proposing AU membership in the G20, an Ubuntu Health Impact Fund, a UN Parliamentary Assembly, and an Ecological Impact Fund. Collaborating with partners in Brazil, we seek to build on this momentum during Brazil’s G20 Presidency, which President Lula has devoted to the fight against the institutional causes of poverty, hunger, and inequality. One opportunity here is a T20 side event we are organizing on March 11, 2024, at Brazil’s Supreme Court on the 

invitation of its President: Minister Luís Roberto Barroso. In view of the AU’s new G20 membership and the coming G20 Presidency of South Africa in 2025, we will continue to foreground African needs and voices.

Academics Stand Against Poverty is still more wish than reality. But if even just one in a thousand scholars and educators were actively to join us, we would stand a real chance to achieve at least that small shift in the global distribution needed to end the more severe forms of poverty. A joint effort against severe poverty can also bring people and nations together, build mutual trust and respect, and set humanity on a path toward resolving our differences without resorting to the kind of horrific violence that the past year has brought

Thank you for being among the few.

Dr. Thomas Pogge

AWARDSUncategorized

ASAP Book Awards

ASAP Awards

Journal ASAP, in partnership with Academics Stand Against Poverty and the Yale University Global Justice Program, is conferring three annual awards for poverty-focused academic work, with the next nomination deadline being 31 July 2024:

An ASAP Lifetime Achievement Award for constructive work related to poverty.

An ASAP Book of the Year Award for the best book on a poverty-related subject, published in 2023 and written by a single author or group of authors.

An ASAP Book of the Year Award for the best collection of poverty-related essays by different authors published in 2023.

Eligible work may contribute to the definition, description, explanation, assessment or eradication of poverty and attend to any of the special challenges poor people face in regard to nutrition, water, shelter, health and health care, sanitation, clothing and personal care, energy, education, social and political participation and respect, physical safety, family planning, environmental degradations and hazards, working conditions in employment and at home, navigating governmental agencies and the legal system, banking and credit, travel and transportation, and communications.

Lifetime Achievement Award for constructive work related to poverty.

Nominations may come from any individual or organization and should contain: 1) one page of biodata of the nominee, including educational background, positions held, affiations, honors and awards; 2) two pages on the nominee’s contributions to the understanding and eradication of poverty; and 3) names, affiliations and addresses of two suitable referees.

Book of the Year Award for the best book on a poverty-related subject written by a single author or group of authors and published in 2023.

Nominations may come from any individual or organization and should contain: 1) a detailed assessment of the book, discussing its relevance to poverty, how it has broken new ground and how it is begining to have an influence; 2) a PDF copy of the book (for internal use only); and 3) names, affiliations and addresses of two suitable referees willing (probably) to contribute a review of the nominated book.

Book of the Year Award for the best collection of essays by different authors on a poverty-related subject and published in 2023.

Nominations may come from any individual or organization and should contain: 1) a detailed assessment of the book, discussing its relevance to poverty, how it has broken new ground and how it is begining to have an influence; 2) a PDF copy of the book (for internal use only); and 3) names, affiliations and addresses of two suitable referees willing (probably) to contribute a review of the nominated book.

Award winners will be announced in the autumn of 2024.

Winning books will be reviewed by Journal ASAP and promoted through ASAP Social Media and the ASAP Newsletter.
 
Partnering in sponsoring this competition, Springer Nature will award its winners books of their choice from Springer’s Sustainable Development Goals Series.
 

To send a nomination or for any questions or comments, contact Michal Apollo at editor@journalasap.org.

The 2023 inaugural winners were

Henry Shue (Oxford) – ASAP Lifetime Achievement Award.

Darrel Moellendorf – ASAP Book of the Year Award for his monograph Mobilizing Hope: Climate Change and Global Poverty.

Kayleigh Garthwaite, Ruth Patrick, Maddy Power, Anna Tarrant, and Rosalie Warnock for their anthology COVID-19 Collaborations: Researching Poverty and Low-Income Family Life during the Pandemic.

Watch the celebration of the winners here.

ONE SEAT, ONE BILLION PEOPLE: ADVOCATING FOR A G21 - 1
AWARDS

AU’s Inclusion in G20 – A Milestone We Proudly Advocated For

In a groundbreaking development that can reshape the global economic landscape, the African Union (AU) has officially been included in the pivotal Group of Twenty (G20).

This monumental decision, which promises to bring Africa’s voice to the forefront of international economic discussions, is a triumph for inclusivity and a testament to the collective advocacy of organizations and voices worldwide.

Among those voices, ASAP stands tall as a proud advocate for this historic milestone.

A Seat at the Table

The G20, comprising the world’s major economies, plays a pivotal role in shaping international economic policies and addressing global challenges. Historically, the AU has been excluded from this influential forum, despite the continent’s immense potential and growing economic significance. However, this has changed with the recent announcement of the AU’s inclusion, marking a significant turning point in international diplomacy.

A Resounding Advocacy

The inclusion of the AU in the G20 didn’t happen overnight. It was the result of persistent advocacy and calls for a more inclusive representation on the global stage. ASAP, along with many other organizations, has long championed the cause of including the AU in the G20. We firmly believe that the diverse perspectives and unique challenges faced by African nations must be part of the global conversation on economic policies, sustainable development, and international cooperation.

Why This Matters

The AU’s inclusion in the G20 brings several advantages to the table:

  1. Diverse Perspectives: Africa’s inclusion means a more comprehensive and diverse range of viewpoints in addressing global challenges. This diversity of thought can lead to more effective and equitable solutions.
  2. Economic Growth: With Africa being home to some of the world’s fastest-growing economies, its participation in the G20 opens up new avenues for trade, investment, and economic cooperation that can benefit both African nations and the world.
  3. Global Solidarity: In an increasingly interconnected world, global solidarity is paramount. The AU’s inclusion reflects a commitment to working together on shared challenges, from climate change to public health crises.

ASAP’s Commitment

At ASAP, we are thrilled to see this momentous change in international diplomacy. We are proud to have been one of the many voices that advocated for the AU’s inclusion in the G20. Our commitment to promoting inclusivity, diversity, and global cooperation remains unwavering. We believe that by working together, we can build a more prosperous, equitable, and sustainable world for all.

As the AU takes its rightful place at the G20 table, we look forward to the valuable contributions and collaborations that will undoubtedly emerge. This is a testament to the power of advocacy and the positive impact it can have on reshaping the world’s future.

LandingPost

We Dare, We Inspire, We Leave an Imprint

Academics Stand Against Poverty (ASAP) is honored to have Dr. Thalia Arawi as a valued member of our organization. Dr. Arawi, the Founding Director and advisor for Khelkhal, has been instrumental in shaping the vision and success of this student-led initiative. Khelkhal, meaning “anklet” in Arabic, symbolizes beauty, audacity, and the lingering chime of a movement. This inspiring volunteering initiative, based at the American University of Beirut’s Faculty of Medicine, aims to spread ethics education, foster humanism, and alleviate poverty. We are excited to announce that Khelkhal will also play a significant role in building the PanArab ASAP chapter this year, expanding its reach and impact beyond Lebanon.

Making a Difference in the Community
Since its establishment in 2019 by Bashar Hassan, a Med III student, and Dr. Thalia Arawi, Khelkhal has grown exponentially, currently engaging over 280 volunteers from across the country and the region. While rooted in the SHBPP Faculty of Medicine, Khelkhal is not solely a medical initiative; it embodies the essence of humanism and focuses on addressing the dire socio-economic challenges faced by Lebanon and the wider region. The volunteers at Khelkhal have exhibited remarkable adaptability, responding swiftly to emerging needs in their community. From organizing bake sales to provide essential medications to patients at outpatient clinics, to collaborating with local NGOs to address food insecurity and distributing rations to vulnerable families affected by economic crises, Khelkhal has consistently demonstrated its commitment to humanitarian causes.

Compassion in the Face of Tragedy
The tragic August 4 Beirut blast in 2020 left a devastating impact on the city and its inhabitants. Khelkhal, true to its mission, immediately mobilized its dedicated volunteers to support the affected community. They actively participated in street clean-up initiatives and extended a helping hand by providing clothing and food rations to those displaced by the explosion. Collaborating with local mental health NGOs, Khelkhal also conducted workshops and group therapy sessions for children and parents, offering much-needed support in processing the traumatic events of that fateful year.

Responding to the Pandemic and Beyond
As the Covid-19 pandemic exacerbated Lebanon’s economic collapse, Khelkhal stepped up its efforts to alleviate the plight of the most vulnerable. Multiple food and clothing donation campaigns were carried out, resulting in two truckloads of non-perishable foodstuffs being delivered to orphanages in Tripoli, one of the country’s densely populated cities. In parallel, Khelkhal diligently gathered funds to sustain the Medical Humanism Fund, established under SHBPP, to cover medical expenses for underprivileged patients. Despite being a completely student-led initiative with no external funding, Khelkhal has consistently relied on the unwavering humanistic spirit of donors and volunteers to continue its vital work.

Extending Support Beyond Borders
Khelkhal’s commitment to humanism knows no boundaries. The initiative has also played a significant role in providing assistance to neighboring countries affected by disasters, such as Palestine and Syria. Through diligent collection and distribution of donations, Khelkhal ensures that aid reaches those in need, fostering solidarity and compassion across borders.

Looking Ahead
The impact of Dr. Thalia Arawi’s guidance and Khelkhal’s tireless efforts in fostering community, humanism, and tackling poverty cannot be overstated. The initiative’s remarkable success and dedication have inspired us to envision Khelkhal as a chain initiative that expands its reach to several countries, strengthening the bond between communities and leaving an enduring imprint of compassion and support.

In conclusion, we invite you to join us in celebrating the remarkable work being done by Dr. Thalia Arawi, the founding director of Khelkhal, and the entire team of dedicated volunteers. Their unwavering commitment to humanism and their ability to respond to the evolving needs of the community is truly inspiring. As we collectively strive to build a more inclusive and caring world, let us remember that together, we can dare, inspire, and leave an indelible imprint of positive change.

AnnouncementsNEWS

Unraveling the Interplay of Poverty and Migration

We are delighted to share the highlights of the Poverty and Migration Webinar, hosted by Academics Stand Against Poverty (ASAP) on June 2, 2023. This enlightening event brought together distinguished speakers who shared their expertise on various dimensions of the intricate relationship between poverty and migration. This post provides a summary of the webinar’s key discussions and encourages readers to access the recording to deepen their understanding of this pressing global issue.

Session 1

Dr. Teresita Cruz Del Rosario kicked off the webinar with her presentation on “Migrating out of Poverty.” Her talk examined the transformative potential of migration as a strategy for poverty alleviation. Dr. Del Rosario discussed the complex motivations behind migration, the challenges faced by individuals and communities in poverty-stricken areas, especially in Eastern Asia, and the opportunities that migration can provide for improved livelihoods. Her insightful analysis shed light on the diverse pathways through which migration can contribute to escaping poverty.

Dr. Nita Mishra, a respected scholar in migration studies, presented on “Students Making Sense of Migration & Poverty.” Her presentation highlighted the pivotal role of education in fostering an understanding of the intertwined nature of migration and poverty. Dr. Mishra emphasized the importance of equipping students with critical thinking skills to analyze the socio-economic factors driving migration and perpetuating poverty. Her talk underscored the significance of empowering the younger generation to become active agents of change in tackling these complex issues. She was also joined by her student, Evelina Mikneviciute, who spoke on her personal experience of migration and poverty, as well as the process of learning through the migration project in Dr. Mishra’s class.

Session 2

In the  second session of the webinar, Dr. Catherine Wihtol de Wenden offered valuable insights on “The Structural Factors of Mobility for International Migrants.” Her presentation explored the underlying structural factors that influence migration patterns on a global scale. Dr. Wihtol de Wenden delved into the complex interplay of political, economic, and social forces shaping mobility for international migrants. Her comprehensive analysis underscored the need to consider these structural factors when formulating policies and interventions to address the challenges faced by migrants and to foster inclusive and sustainable development.

Dr. Joseph A. Yaro: Migrating from Poverty to Opportunity Dr. Joseph A. Yaro concluded the webinar with his talk on “Migrating from Poverty to Opportunity.” He offered a thought-provoking discussion on the journey of migrants who seek to transcend poverty and seize opportunities for socioeconomic advancement. Dr. Yaro shared insights from his research, highlighting successful cases and identifying key factors that contribute to positive migration outcomes. His presentation provided a framework for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers to develop context-specific strategies that empower migrants to escape poverty and realize their full potential.

The Poverty and Migration Webinar 2023 provided a platform for leading experts to engage in insightful discussions on the complex relationship between poverty and migration. The presentations by Dr. Teresita Cruz Del Rosario, Dr. Nita Mishra, Dr. Catherine Wihtol de Wenden, and Dr. Joseph A. Yaro illuminated various facets of this multidimensional issue. We encourage all interested individuals to watch the recording of the webinar below to gain a deeper understanding of the topics explored and to contribute to ongoing efforts in addressing poverty and migration. Together, let us strive for a world where no one is left behind.

Dr. Teresita Cruz Del Rosario

Dr. Nita Mishra

Dr. Joseph A. Yaro

Dr. Catherine Wihtol de Wenden

NEWSLETTER

2023 Spring Newsletter

You can subscribe to our newsletter by filling in the form on the homepage or you can email us at global@academicsstand.org and we will add you to our mailing list. You can also view our most recent newsletter below to learn what the ASAP network has been delivering.

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You can access the full 2023 Spring Newsletter HERE. 

AWARDS

11th Amartya SEN Essay Prize

This year, Global Financial Integrity, Academics Stand Against Poverty and Yale’s Global Justice Program will be awarding the tenth annual Amartya Sen Prizes to the two best original essays examining one particular component of illicit financial flows, the resulting harms, and possible avenues of reform.  

Essays should be about 7,000 to 9,000 words long. There is a first prize of USD 5,000 and a second prize of USD 3,000.  Winning essays must be available for publication in Journal Academics Stand Against Poverty. Past winners are not eligible.

Illicit financial flows are explicitly recognized as an obstacle to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and singled out as target #4 of SDG 16. They are defined as cross-border movements of funds that are illegally earned, transferred, or used – such as funds earned through illegal trafficking in persons, drugs or weapons; funds illegally transferred through mispriced exchanges (e.g., among affiliates of a multinational firm seeking to shift profits to reduce taxes); goods misinvoiced or funds moved in order to evade taxes; and funds used for corruption of or by public or corporate officials.  

Components of illicit financial flows can be delimited by sector or geographically. Delimitation by sector might focus your essay on some specific activity, business or industry – such as art, real estate, health care, technology, entertainment, shipping, weapons, agriculture, sports, gaming, education, politics, tourism, natural resource extraction, banking and financial services – or on an even narrower subsector such as the diamond trade, hunting, insurance, or prostitution.  Delimitation by geography might further narrow the essay’s focus to some region, country, or province.

Your essay should describe the problematic activity and evaluate the adverse effects that make it problematic.  You should estimate, in quantitative terms if possible, the magnitude of the relevant outflows as well as the damage they do to affected institutions and populations.  This might include harm from abuse, exploitation and impoverishment of individuals, harm through subdued economic activity and reduced prosperity, and/or harm through diminished tax revenues that depress public spending.

Your essay should also explain the persistence of the harmful activity in terms of relevant incentives and enabling conditions and, based on your explanation, propose plausible ways to curtail the problem.  Such reform efforts might be proposed at diverse levels, including supranational rules and regimes, national rules, corporate policies, professional ethics, individual initiatives, or any combination thereof.  The task is to identify who has the responsibility, the capacity and (potentially) the knowledge and motivation to change behavior toward effective curtailment. Special consideration will be given to papers that provide a detailed description of how change may come about in a particular geographical or sectoral context.

We welcome authors from diverse academic disciplines and from outside the academy. Please send your entry by email attachment on or before 31 August 2024 to Tom Cardamone at SenPrize@gfintegrity.org. While your message should identify you, your essay should be stripped of self-identifying references, formatted for blind review.

Uncategorized

Ambedkar Grants for Advancing Poverty Eradication (AGAPE)

AGAPE is a program of Academics Stand Against Poverty (ASAP), an international community of scholars and researchers working to confront the rules and practices that perpetuate global poverty and to initiate targeted, evidence-based reforms.

This program commemorates and honors Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, India’s great leader in poverty eradication. Initial seed funding for AGAPE was generously provided by Krishen and Geeta Mehta.

AGAPE provides competitive funding and mentoring for innovative pilot projects in severe poverty eradication that offer strong prospects of cost-effective scale-up.

In its first year of operation, AGAPE has made four awards in India:

  1. The Snekithi Charitable Trust in Tamil Nadu was awarded Rs. 199000 for an initiative that will raise the productivity and thereby the incomes of Dalit woman farmers in the rain-fed areas of Karur District. AGAPE’s mentors for this project are Srilakshmi Vajrakarur and Johnson Prasant Palakkappillil.
  2. The Kuriakose Elias Service Society (KESS) in Elanjikulam, Nadathara, Thrissur. They were awarded Rs. 200000 for an initiative that will help women who have lost their jobs build a tailoring cooperative after suitable fashion design training. AGAPE’s mentor for this project is Jose Nandhikkara.
  3. Dr. Arambam Noni Meetai at Dhanamanjuri University, Imphal, Manipur. He was awarded Rs. 220000 for an initiative that will enable villagers in Kwatha to market their fermented bamboo shoot product directly in Imphal, thereby capturing a larger share of the final sales price. AGAPE’s mentor for this project is Tanvir Aeijaz.
  4. The National Service Scheme Unit at Sacred Heart University and Chellanam Panchayat. It was awarded Rs. 175000 for an initiative that will improve the livelihood of women by enabling them to create an enterprise for the manufacture and distribution of ecofriendly paper bags. AGAPE’s mentor for this project is Johnson Prasant Palakkappillil.

Contributions to AGAPE are tax-deductible in India and the United States. Help those who know poverty first-hand try out their best ideas toward eradicating severe poverty for good!

In its second year, AGAPE aims to divide well over Rs. 1 million among five promising projects that will pilot innovative approaches to poverty eradication.

Here poverty is defined broadly as including the whole range of basic social and economic needs; and eradication is conceived as enabling households to escape poverty permanently. At this time, only individuals and organizations planning pilot projects in India are eligible to apply.

Srilakshmi Vajrakarur delivered a progress report on the inaugural projects in India at the ASAP/Yale GJP annual conference in November 2023.

Forwardgoing, AGAPE aims to continue funding promising projects that will pilot innovative approaches to poverty eradication. Here poverty is defined broadly as including the whole range of basic social and economic needs; and eradication is conceived as enabling households to escape poverty permanently. At this time, only individuals and organizations planning pilot projects in India are eligible to apply.

Applications should consist of one page each on the proposal and the proposers.

The proposal page should specify a detailed plan for the pilot project, preceded by a one-sentence summary statement of purpose, and followed by a brief timeline and budget.

The proposer page should give relevant details about the person(s) intending to do the work and (if applicable) their organization.

Additional supporting materials are accepted but not encouraged.

An expert panel will assess pilot projects based on their cost-effectiveness and promise of success as well as their potentials for innovation and scale-up. Projects funded in prior years may be resubmitted for additional funding.

Proposals should be sent agapeindiagroup@gmail.com.

CallsEDUCATIONGET INVOLVEDNEWS

Advocating for a G21​

This policy brief advocates for the inclusion of the African Union in the G20 for ethical reasons.

The G20 or Group of Twenty is one of the most powerful multilateral platforms today. It plays an important role in shaping and strengthening global governance on all major international economic issues. Its key achievements include cooperation on tax transparency, increasing female participation in the workforce, enhancingfood security, and reducing the debt burden on the world’s poorest countries.

The G20 has one major limitation. Fortunately, this limitation – that it leaves out 96% of Africa’s population – can be easily remedied by including the African Union.

There are many political, social, economic and governance reasons for adding the African Union to the G20

This values-driven policy brief argues that the African Union should be included in the G20 to promote the values of fairness, respect, care and honesty.

On participatory fairness, the inclusion of the African Union in the G20 would represent a masterstroke of fairness combined with efficiency, in that it would grant representation to 54 more countries than the status quo, with just one additional seat.

On substantive fairness, African countries are suffering disproportionate losses due to climate change. The burden of championing African interests in the G20 should no longer rest on South Africa alone.

Externally driven G20 initiatives can consign Africa to a passive and consultative role, which runs counter to the value of respect. Inclusion of the African Union in the G20 would meet this concern.

To leave no-one behind is a central promise of Agenda 2030. This requires an ethics of care and support. With the current finance and borrowing mechanisms driven by the G20, African governments cannot support their populations appropriately.

The G20 has called for stronger global cooperation, praised the strengths of regional ownership by the African Union, and reiterated its support for Africa. The necessary step, to show the G20’s honesty of intention and integrity, is to follow through with a G21.

Procedural fairness, fair processes, and participatory fairness require that every country should have a seat at a decision- making table that discusses our common future and the most important world issues affecting us all.

"The population of Sub-Saharan Africa is projected to double by 2050 while Europe’s population continues to shrink. Over the same period, Africa is likely to have the fastest urban growth rate."

The current urban populations of Cairo (21 million), Lagos (15 million), and Kinshasa (15 million) illustrate this trend. Africa only has one seat at the G20 table, that of South Africa. This means that 96% of Africa’s population is currently not represented at the G20. In 2021, South Africa had a smaller GDP than Nigeria ($419 billion in comparison with $441 billion), but it shoulders the responsibility of representing an entire continent.

One could argue that efficiency requirements make it impossible to grant procedural fairness (in the form of national representation) in every forum, and that all countries are, in any case, represented at the United Nations. Indeed, one of the strengths of the G20 is that it operates with an efficiency that allows for quicker and more flexible problem-solving. Yet by including the EU, the group accommodated, at a stroke, input from 27 countries in a coordinated way that did not jeopardize efficiency.

A similar masterstroke is possible today. The inclusion of the African Union would bring all 55 African countries into the G20, thus giving representation to 54 countries more than the status quo, at the cost of just one additional seat.

The minimum requirement of substantive fairness is that one should not be harmed by others. The countries of the African Union are responsible for around 3.6% of global carbon emission, represent 18% of the global population, and lose 5% to 15% of GDP due to climate change – and yet they have no seat at the G20 decision- making table, where climate change and other causes of global economic crises are discussed, and consequent action decided upon.

A seat for the African Union – a G21, in other words – would enable Africa to push for more substantive fairness on climate change and global economic policies.

The G20 formulated a response to COVID-19 for Africa when only South Africa was formally a member of the G20. The response aimed to “help protect and assist the most vulnerable and those most at-risk because of the pandemic, who generally suffer disproportionate impacts, including women and girls, youth, people withdisabilities, the elderly, migrants, refugees, displaced people, and indigenous people”.

It has been argued that “all these G20 initiatives consign Africa to a passive, consultative, or at best diminutive role”, which runs counter to the value of respect. Adding the African Union to the G20 would address this concern while only adding one seat.

African countries need access to key global decision-making bodies to advocate for structures and policies that care for the needs of the poor and leave no-one behind. The G20 is such a body.

In 2021, the G20 High Level Independent Panel on Financing the Global Commons for Pandemic Preparedness and Response report argued that

in a historically unprecedented way, security for people around the world now depends on global cooperation.

The report also noted that “ the current pandemic has demonstrated the strengths of regional ownership, e.g. the major initiatives taken by the African Union”.

In 2022, under the Indonesian presidency, G20 Heads of States were “deeply concerned that multidimensional crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as lack of fiscal space and unequal access to finance and technology, are posing significant challenges towards realizing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”. The G20 Heads of States declared: “We also reiterate our continued support to Africa”.

The G20 could prove its fidelity, honesty, and transparency in relation to previously expressed support for Africa by admitting the African Union into its ranks.

To promote fairness, respect, care, and honesty and to permit better preparation for the next global pandemic, the admission of the African Union into the G20 is recommended.

-Sachin Chaturvedi, Pamla Gopaul, Stephan Klingebiel, Klaus Leisinger, Michael Makanga, Thomas Pogge, Riatu Qibthiyyah, Jeffrey Sachs, Doris Schroeder, Elizabeth Sidiropoulos, Peter Singer