A few weeks ago we spoke about the BRICs, the emerging countries which, if well-managed, could soon be the largest economies in the world. When I introduced the acronym I thought it was only a cute, obscure acronym known only to a group of geek professors. It turns out that some people have taken it seriously and this week there was the first ever summit meeting of BRIC Presidents. See this article from NYT (I have included the first sentences):
Emerging Economic Powers Meet in Russia
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/17/world/europe/17bric.html
MOSCOW — Leaders of some of the world’s most powerful economies gathered Tuesday to discuss how they can exert more control over the global financial system as it takes its first wobbly steps toward recovery.
Yet not an American or Western European was in the bunch.
The first summit meeting of the so-called BRIC group — Brazil, Russia, India and China — was intended to underscore the rising economic clout of these four major developing countries and their demand for a greater voice in the world.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Globalization - Nonprofits & Railroads?
As our class is almost done and our blog is about to close, I couldn't resist one final post - we began the class with railroads, so perhaps it's fitting to end with one!
I was thinking about yesterday's lively discussion on globalization of nonprofits, including the unintended consequence of the Compact phenomenon - a greater degree of scrutiny, accreditation, regulation even, of nonprofits by the government. The economic meltdown, including the recent failure of industries long taken for granted, has forced many to rethink how business is done. In fact, one NYC-based VP of corporate philanthropy suggested to me that as many as 30% of nonprofits may be out of business by the year's end.
Moving along to another nonprofit area, globalization has affected colleges and universities where the issue of accreditation has generated fierce debate and resistance, seen by some academics as a means of control. I came across the article "Globalization and the Emergence of For-Profit Higher Education" by Ann Morey of San Diego State University and she appears to confirm yesterday's discussion: "Higher education may no longer be viewed as a growth industry, but rather a mature one. Usually when this is the case, the government seeks to control and regulate the industry, thereby diminishing their autonomy and demanding greater accountability." (p.144).
http://www.jstor.org/stable/4151533
And Arthur Levine, former president of Teachers College at Columbia University, made the following statement in 1997: "There is an underlying belief that colleges and universities are
making precisely the same mistake that the railroads made. The railroads believed they were in the railroad business; they focused on making bigger and better railroads. The problem is that they were actually in the transportation industry, and as a result were derailed by the airlines. Similarly, it can be said that higher education is making the mistake of thinking it is in the campus business, when in reality it is in the very lucrative education business. High technology and entertainment companies are viewing noncampus-based education as an opportunity." (p.17).
http://www.jstor.org/stable/20027456
Though it's a scary time, failure can also offer opportunity.
So, as nonprofits move beyond grassroots startups to more sophisticated "third sector" organizations, there will be changes. And let's hope that the Baruch XMPA program helps prepare all of us to effectively meet them. (Or maybe it's time for me to find another line of work, selling pies from a roadside stand, as long as it's close to a train.)
All aboard!
Maryann McKenzie
I was thinking about yesterday's lively discussion on globalization of nonprofits, including the unintended consequence of the Compact phenomenon - a greater degree of scrutiny, accreditation, regulation even, of nonprofits by the government. The economic meltdown, including the recent failure of industries long taken for granted, has forced many to rethink how business is done. In fact, one NYC-based VP of corporate philanthropy suggested to me that as many as 30% of nonprofits may be out of business by the year's end.
Moving along to another nonprofit area, globalization has affected colleges and universities where the issue of accreditation has generated fierce debate and resistance, seen by some academics as a means of control. I came across the article "Globalization and the Emergence of For-Profit Higher Education" by Ann Morey of San Diego State University and she appears to confirm yesterday's discussion: "Higher education may no longer be viewed as a growth industry, but rather a mature one. Usually when this is the case, the government seeks to control and regulate the industry, thereby diminishing their autonomy and demanding greater accountability." (p.144).
http://www.jstor.org/stable/4151533
And Arthur Levine, former president of Teachers College at Columbia University, made the following statement in 1997: "There is an underlying belief that colleges and universities are
making precisely the same mistake that the railroads made. The railroads believed they were in the railroad business; they focused on making bigger and better railroads. The problem is that they were actually in the transportation industry, and as a result were derailed by the airlines. Similarly, it can be said that higher education is making the mistake of thinking it is in the campus business, when in reality it is in the very lucrative education business. High technology and entertainment companies are viewing noncampus-based education as an opportunity." (p.17).
http://www.jstor.org/stable/20027456
Though it's a scary time, failure can also offer opportunity.
So, as nonprofits move beyond grassroots startups to more sophisticated "third sector" organizations, there will be changes. And let's hope that the Baruch XMPA program helps prepare all of us to effectively meet them. (Or maybe it's time for me to find another line of work, selling pies from a roadside stand, as long as it's close to a train.)
All aboard!
Maryann McKenzie
Saturday, June 13, 2009
U.S. Tourism under Commerce
While one would think tourism in the US would fall under the Department of Interior (after all, that is the home of the Parks Department) it in fact falls under the Department of Commerce. In truth, things I often think will fall under interior fall under commerce, so there must be some reasoning that escapes me...
In any event, the Commerce web site states in 2003 an advisory board was created to "develop, create, and implement of a national tourism strategy. So before that we didn't think we needed a strategy? Not really sure. It goes on to state:
"The U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board serves as the advisory body to the Secretary of Commerce on matters relating to the travel and tourism industry in the United States. The Board advises the Secretary on government policies and programs that affect the U.S. travel and tourism industry, offers counsel on current and emerging issues, and provides a forum for discussing and proposing solutions to industry-related problems."
http://tinet.ita.doc.gov/TTAB/TTAB_Home.html
According to the site the board has 15 members and they are all appointed by the Secretary and they "represent companies and organizations in the travel and tourism industry from a broad range of products and services, company sizes and geographic locations. Members serve, at the pleasure of the Secretary, from the date of appointment to the Board until the date on which the Board’s charter terminates."
It seems like the charter is renewed every two years.
Carol Starmack
In any event, the Commerce web site states in 2003 an advisory board was created to "develop, create, and implement of a national tourism strategy. So before that we didn't think we needed a strategy? Not really sure. It goes on to state:
"The U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board serves as the advisory body to the Secretary of Commerce on matters relating to the travel and tourism industry in the United States. The Board advises the Secretary on government policies and programs that affect the U.S. travel and tourism industry, offers counsel on current and emerging issues, and provides a forum for discussing and proposing solutions to industry-related problems."
http://tinet.ita.doc.gov/TTAB/TTAB_Home.html
According to the site the board has 15 members and they are all appointed by the Secretary and they "represent companies and organizations in the travel and tourism industry from a broad range of products and services, company sizes and geographic locations. Members serve, at the pleasure of the Secretary, from the date of appointment to the Board until the date on which the Board’s charter terminates."
It seems like the charter is renewed every two years.
Carol Starmack
Thursday, June 11, 2009
DOES THE PRIVATE SECTOR HELP THE POOR MORE THAN INTERNATIONAL AID?
As usual The Economist is ripping off our ideas!!! The editors must have read our blog and heard about our discussion in class last Saturday and then decided to make their own contribution to the debate. See
EXTRA! JOIN THE ECONOMIST’S DEBATE: DOES THE PRIVATE SECTOR HELP THE POOR MORE THAN INTERNATIONAL AID?
June 10th, 2009
The Economist is hosting an interactive debate on the role of the private sector and governments in helping the world’s poor. To join the debate, go to http://www.economist.com/debate/overview/146&sa_campaign=debateseries/debate25/ads/house/728
John
EXTRA! JOIN THE ECONOMIST’S DEBATE: DOES THE PRIVATE SECTOR HELP THE POOR MORE THAN INTERNATIONAL AID?
June 10th, 2009
The Economist is hosting an interactive debate on the role of the private sector and governments in helping the world’s poor. To join the debate, go to http://www.economist.com/debate/overview/146&sa_campaign=debateseries/debate25/ads/house/728
John
Critique of Kiva????
Yikes. An hour ago I gave a resounding endorsement to Kiva after Jessica's post (see Kiva - Loans that Change Lives)
Now I open my e-mail and find the following:
Beyond Good Intentions: A Film Series about Improving International Aid. The final film in the Beyond Good Intentions series has been released. Committed to "uncovering more innovative and effective approaches to international aid worldwide", the series follows filmmaker Tori Hogan around the world as she talks to aid workers and communities in eight countries. (The series caused quite a stir with its critique of microfinance and of Kiva in particular.) The ten episodes explore these topics: Disaster Relief, Faith-Based Aid, For-Profit Approaches, Higher Standards for Non-Profits, International Aid Workers, Micro-Lending, Peace Corps, Research in Development, Social Entrepreneurship, and Volunteering Abroad. http://news.gilbert.org/clickThru/redir/7047/809402/rms
I haven't seen article or film yet. If anyone knows more about the critique of Kiva, educate us!!
John C
Now I open my e-mail and find the following:
Beyond Good Intentions: A Film Series about Improving International Aid. The final film in the Beyond Good Intentions series has been released. Committed to "uncovering more innovative and effective approaches to international aid worldwide", the series follows filmmaker Tori Hogan around the world as she talks to aid workers and communities in eight countries. (The series caused quite a stir with its critique of microfinance and of Kiva in particular.) The ten episodes explore these topics: Disaster Relief, Faith-Based Aid, For-Profit Approaches, Higher Standards for Non-Profits, International Aid Workers, Micro-Lending, Peace Corps, Research in Development, Social Entrepreneurship, and Volunteering Abroad. http://news.gilbert.org/clickThru/redir/7047/809402/rms
I haven't seen article or film yet. If anyone knows more about the critique of Kiva, educate us!!
John C
Coalition governments in New York
You have probably all been following this week's events in the NY Senate. Among all the other craziness I am fascinated that for the first time I can recall, people are using the term "coalition government" in relation to a US legislature.
See for example the following article which speaks not only about coalitions but also billionaires and "coups":
How a Billionaire Helped Plan the Albany Coup
http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/10/how-a-billionaire-helped-plan-the-albany-coup
John C
See for example the following article which speaks not only about coalitions but also billionaires and "coups":
How a Billionaire Helped Plan the Albany Coup
http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/10/how-a-billionaire-helped-plan-the-albany-coup
John C
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Kiva - Loans that Change Lives
In last week's class, we discussed various programs and policies that are effective in the transferability between nations. I believe Carol mentioned a US microcredit program that has had great success abroad and now in America as well. Tonight on the ABC evening news, a nonprofit called Kiva was featured which is doing just this. (Carol, does this ring a bell?) The piece featured a variety of small business owners that have submitted profiles on Kiva's website in hopes of receiving loans from Americans (ranging from a cake delivery small business in the Bronx to a BBQ caterer on the West Coast). You can learn more here: http://www.kiva.org/.
- Jessica
- Jessica
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