Africa New Life Ministries’ Post

❓ What do people talk about in the most interesting conference that I attended? 💻 In the past two days, I attended the <Driving Change: Leveraging Personal Agency Approaches for Development> conference at DC with an incredibly diverse group of scholars, practitioners, and funders (organized by The Agency Fund, SEE Change at JHU, and USAID). 🤔 Instead of trying to summarize the main take-aways, I will share below a small subset of examples of interesting sentences and phrases that I heard in talks. While they are non-representative, de-contextualized, and shouldn't be interpreted on their own, I think they still somewhat represent a diverse nature of the discourse around building human agency for development. Naila Kabeer: - "Fear and silence are the main blockages for women." - "Whispers turn into voice." - "Opportunity leads to possibilities, and possibilities lead to capacities to aspire." Greg Walton: - "Identity in kaleidoscope" - "Integration of individual- and contextual-level interventions" Anandi Mani: - "Poverty taxes cognitive resources." - "Institutionalizing the insights" Nathanael Goldberg: - "Evidence is not the only thing that we need towards impact." Kaushik Basu: - "Keep a theoretical antenna" - "Globalisation creates smaller players in bigger pools of decision making." - We are facing "Greta's Dilemma" and "Dinosaur Risk". Gary Belkin: - "Stacking the socio-cultural deck" - "Vocabulary of kernels" Hazel Malapit: - "Time poverty is not equal to time agency." Zeina Afif: - "We should move from having a 'zero-sum' mindset." #psychology #economics #agency #internationaldevelopment #development #charity #philanthropy #research Temina Madon James Walsh Rosan Bishwakarma

19 days left to register for our 2024 Conference in Washington, D.C. on May 18-19! 😱 Our conference brings together 100 young, driven and impact-minded Christians who want to use their careers to change the world. 🌍 There will be empowering and encouraging talks from Christian leaders across various global problems including Missions, Global Poverty, AI, Policy, and Climate Change. Here's a short list of some of our speakers this year and what they'll be covering 👇 Caleb Watney, keynote speaker, tackles Policy & Pandemics through his work at Institute for Progress (IFP) and will talk about how Christians can best engage in politics & policy, how to start a think tank, and more. Joy Bittner tackles Global Mental Health & Poverty through her work at Vida Plena, Global and will talk about mental health care among the world's poorest and most disadvantaged and why we should care about it as Christians. Bruce Friedrich tackles Climate Change, Animal Cruelty & Pandemics through his work at The Good Food Institute and will cover the benefits of alternative proteins on God's creation and how Christians can have an impact in this area. Liz Hixson tackles Preventable Diseases through her work at New Incentives and will talk about the significance of addressing easily preventable diseases and how university-aged Christians can prepare to have an impact in global health. Ben Thomas tackles Missions through his work at the BibleProject and will talk about what it's like working in operations at a high-impact nonprofit and why biblical literacy is an important cause area. If you haven't signed up already, register here by May 14th to secure your place: https://lnkd.in/dcikWXZ2 #christian #conference #effectivealtruism #networking

From Academia to Action: Embracing a New Path to Drive Social Impact My journey as a researcher, exploring the intergenerational impacts of trauma in African American Literature, has shaped not only my understanding of resilience and identity but also my career path toward mission-driven initiatives. Studying themes of trauma, healing, and cultural strength in African American literature wasn’t just an academic endeavor—it was a window into the real-world challenges faced by diverse communities every day. Beyond literary analysis, my research required that I understand broader cultural, historical, and social dynamics, equipping me with a nuanced perspective on social justice issues. Through this, I gained not only a profound understanding of the complex, real-world challenges faced by marginalized communities but also a stronger commitment to serve. This work inspired a significant shift in my goals—from understanding systemic issues to actively working toward solutions. Today, I am excited to apply my insights directly to social impact initiatives that foster equity, community resilience, and meaningful change for underserved communities. I’m excited to connect with like-minded individuals and organizations working on initiatives that drive social impact, racial justice, community empowerment, and support for underserved communities. If you share this passion, let’s connect! I’d love to explore ways we can collaborate to make a tangible difference together. #SocialImpact #RacialJustice #CommunityResilience #CulturalHealing #MissionDriven #Collaboration #EquityInAction #NonProfit #AfterAcademia

Eradicating Poverty Through Education! Welcome to hhhumanity.org, where education is the key to unlocking brighter futures. Our mission is simple yet powerful: to eradicate poverty by empowering underprivileged children and families with access to education. 📚 What we do: Provide essential learning materials and supplies Provide nutrition to students for active learning at school and thrive Work with families to break the cycle of poverty We believe that education isn’t just a right—it’s the foundation for a better world. Together, we can create opportunities, open doors, and change lives. This is just the beginning, and we need your support! Follow us, share our mission, and be part of the movement to build a future where every child has the tools to succeed. Let’s make a difference—one book, one lesson, and one dream at a time. #EducationAgainstPoverty #BreakTheCycle #EmpowerThroughEducation #HopeThroughLearning #NutritionPowersEducation

An intriguing aspect of foundations that choose to operate in perpetuity –essentially lasting "forever"– is their ability to be contrarian. Meaning, they can step up when others retreat. They can be the standout black sheep in a sea of white flock. This can assume a financial dimension when foundations become countercyclical funders, providing support to grantees during economic downturns when government support or other funding sources dry up. Equally as important is their ability to give attention to topics that languish on the margins of policymaking agendas; or to remain committed to focus areas long after they've exhausted the public's and markets' limited attention spans. #philanthropy #strategy #contrarian

Yesterday’s inauguration and the executive orders targeting immigrants, trans people, and the environment were not just policy actions—they were calculated moves meant to demoralize, to sow fear, and to stoke a sense of hopelessness. For progressive nonprofits and philanthropy, this moment calls for a decisive shift: from reacting to oppression to building a future grounded in an expansive and inclusive vision of liberation. Liberation isn’t just a goal; it’s a way of seeing and being that offers an alternative to the destruction wrought by white supremacy. When we move beyond the cycle of defense and make space to imagine new possibilities, we free ourselves to create strategies that align with the world we want to build. Ask yourself: is your theory of change built on the belief that liberation is inevitable? If not, it’s time to recalibrate. Here’s one way to start this week: - Audit your partnerships and programs. Are they actively working toward liberation, or simply maintaining the status quo? - Reflect on your theory of change. Does it envision a world where liberation is inevitable—or one where liberation is conditional and deferred? Liberation isn’t a distant dream; it’s a framework for how we move through the present. It’s a vision rooted in interconnectedness and thriving futures, an invitation to think beyond borders and binaries. What does it mean for your organization to orient toward liberation as its compass? Prepping for liberation isn’t passive hope—it’s an active, deliberate practice. Share your thoughts below or reach out to continue the conversation. Together, we can build strategies that counter despair and move us closer to the world we deserve. #LiberationIsInevitable #PreppingForLiberation #MutualAid #PhilanthropyForJustice #CommunityLedSolutions #TransformationalChange #NonprofitLeadership #SocialImpact #ResilienceToTransformation #EmergentStrategy #MiddleChildConsulting

🚨 Protecting Public Assets & Holding OpenAI Accountable 🚨 Today, LatinoProsperity, alongside the San Francisco Foundation and a coalition of leading nonprofits and philanthropic organizations, formally requested that California Attorney General Rob Bonta take immediate action to protect OpenAI's charitable assets, valued at up to $157 billion. Read more:

ON DEFENDING THE DEFENCELESS! In the grand tale of human existence, few threads shine as brightly as our capacity to help those who cannot help themselves.This fundamental act of compassion—reaching out to the defenseless—not only strengthens the fabric of society but defines our very humanity. From the elderly facing isolation to children caught in conflict zones, from individuals grappling with disabilities to communities trapped in cycles of poverty, vulnerability knows no borders. When we extend our hands to lift others, we create ripples that traverse far beyond the immediate act of giving. These actions reinforce the pillars of human dignity, equality, and justice that support our collective aspirations for a more empathetic world. History illuminates our path with exemplars who transformed compassion into action: Louis Pasteur didn't just revolutionize science; his development of pasteurization saved countless lives, particularly among the most vulnerable populations.Mahatma Gandhi's tireless advocacy for India's oppressed classes showed how nonviolent resistance could lift up the downtrodden.Norman Borlaug, through his Green Revolution, fought hunger on a global scale, proving that innovation can be a powerful tool for compassion.Mother Teresa, whose legacy in Kolkata's streets reminds us that no act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted. Modern champions continue this tradition, from humanitarian organizations like the Red Cross and UNICEF to public figures who leverage their platforms for change—whether they're cricketers like Steve Waugh and Glenn McGrath or countless unsung heroes working in their communities. Yet, as our capacity to help grows, so too does the need. In an age of unprecedented wealth and technological advancement, why do we still hear the cries of terrified children in Gaza and Ukraine? Why do walls rise as bridges crumble? The paradox of our time is that while we've never been better equipped to help the vulnerable, the chasm of inequality widens.The dream of a world where no one is left defenseless may seem distant, but it is not beyond reach. It begins with recognition—that every individual's dignity is inviolable, that our shared humanity transcends borders, beliefs, and backgrounds. It grows through action—when we challenge the systems that perpetuate vulnerability;educate ourselves and others about the roots of inequality;support organizations and initiatives that effect positive change ;practice everyday compassion in our immediate spheres of influence. As we face the complexities of our modern world, let us remember that the measure of any society lies not in its technological achievements or economic indicators, but in how it treats its most vulnerable members. The time to help is not tomorrow—it is today, in this moment, with whatever means we have at our disposal.Asma Ansari , Adeeba Ansari , Aaisha Ansari

🚨 Protecting Public Assets & Holding OpenAI Accountable 🚨 Today, LatinoProsperity, alongside The San Francisco Foundation and a coalition of leading nonprofits and philanthropic organizations, formally requested that California Attorney General Rob Bonta take immediate action to protect OpenAI's charitable assets, once valued at up to $157 billion. As OpenAI moves toward for-profit conversion, we must ensure that assets originally intended for public benefit remain protected. History has shown that nonprofit-to-for-profit conversions must be held to the highest standards—just as California did with major healthcare entities in the past. Failure to uphold charitable trust laws could set a dangerous precedent, undermining the integrity of the nonprofit sector. We are calling on the Attorney General to act swiftly to investigate OpenAI’s compliance and ensure that its restructuring does not come at the expense of the public good. Read our full letter to Attorney General Bonta and the press release below. 📢 Let’s ensure that the future of AI serves everyone, not just private investors. #LatinoProsperity #AI #Nonprofit #PublicBenefit #Accountability #California #OpenAI Thank you to the signatories of this effort: Asian Law Caucus, California Black Freedom Fund, California Calls, California Community Builders, California Community Foundation, The California Wellness Foundation, Catalyst California, Center for Empowered Politics, Economic Security Project, Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund, Innovate Public Schools, Kapor Foundation, Latina Futures 2050 Lab, Latino Community Foundation, Liberty Hill Foundation, Omidyar Network LLC, PICO California, Public Advocates, Rise Economy, Strategic Actions for a Just Economy, TechEquity, The California Endowment, The James Irvine Foundation, URBAN LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE and Weingart Foundation https://lnkd.in/g2ndBtRe

We are pleased to share our latest report, "The State of Cambodian Americans in Contemporary Society." Today, April 17, 2024, marks the 49th anniversary of the Khmer Rouge invasion of Cambodia. Over two million lives were innocently lost - including every member of both of my parents' families. Most Cambodians died from starvation, malnutrition, and execution during the genocide, which lasted from 1975-1979. Intolerance and the lack of empathy are the two biggest enemies of humanity. I do what I do not because of ego. It's more than the representation of AAPI voices. It's about making sure that my family's lives - and the millions of lives (and counting) that have been lost to brutality, genocide, and war - weren't lost in vain. Two of the biggest findings from the report are: - 23.3% of respondents said that "Intergenerational Trauma and Mental Health" are one of the top four major challenges facing Cambodian Americans today, followed by "Social Inclusion and Representation" (22%) and "Access to Education and Resources" (21%). - The transmission of intergenerational trauma appears to be a major barrier for today's youth. We are seeking funding to launch a longitudinal study on "The Transmission of Intergenerational Trauma among Southeast Asian American Youth." Please consider funding this study or put me in touch with a foundation that can fund the study, I'd appreciate it. You can access the report here. http://bit.ly/Khmerreport Despite the turmoil of the world, we must hold space in our hearts to advocate for peace and justice, especially for the most vulnerable populations of the world. If not for us, then for the generations that come after us. One love. Peter *We thank A Khmer Buddhist Foundation for generously funding this study. Rapid Research Evaluation The Asian American Foundation Southeast Asia Resource Action Center (SEARAC) Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Ford Foundation Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy (AAPIP) MacArthur Foundation MARGULF FOUNDATION Silicon Valley Community Foundation Walton Family Foundation William T. Grant Foundation