Now in its fifth year, the Blog provides a stimulating yet supportive online space in which to discuss current events and trends in International Development. Through it, we hope to engage young people in global issues and promote global citizenship. See below for our latest posts. We hope you enjoy exploring The DiA Blog.
Women in the time of a Refugee Crisis
By Myriam Fayad When I enter her tent, Najwa is bent over her old sewing machine, her feet dangle on the pedal, giving rhythm...
The Role of NGOs and their Effectiveness
By Sabina Gordon With 65.8 million of the world’s population now being classed as refugees, it is evident that we are living in an...
Back to school: new year, same problems – Challenges for Syrian refugee students in Lebanon
By Myriam Fayad As the situation in Syria has deteriorated, the number of Syrians seeking refuge in neighbouring countries, such as Jordan, Turkey and...
Why I Am Glad I Did Not Give Up on International Volunteering
I have spent over half my life involved with international volunteering in some way. During that time I have experienced just about all the...
Hate Taxes? Imagine Living in Puerto Rico
Aside from explaining the depth of the crisis in Puerto Rico post-Hurricane Maria, it became apparent that Americans of the mainland United States needed...
Inclusive Growth – What are we all actually on about?
Over the past few years, the term ‘Inclusive Growth’ has become quite the buzz. It challenges the idea that inequality across the board has...
The Dark Side to the Battery Revolution
As the World Economic Forum states; the next energy revolution is upon us. With solar energy continuing to decrease in cost and predictions that...
The Forgotten Victims of Gender-Based Violence
The Rohingya Crisis continues to make headlines, as more and more evidence of shocking human rights violations comes to light. Gender-based violence has been...
Foreign Aid FAQs – #10 “Aid money is spent on the wrong things”
There is a widespread belief that overseas aid money is either handed over to corrupt dictators and never reaches the people it is supposed...
Foreign Aid FAQs – #9 “They’re poor because they’re lazy”
A common attitude nowadays is that people are rich because they work hard and deserve to be wealthy, whereas people are poor because they...
Foreign Aid FAQs – #8 “Why has nothing been achieved?”
The fight to eradicate global poverty has been going on for decades. Yet despite all the money that has been donated and all the...
Foreign Aid FAQs – #7 “I’d rather give them the money myself”
Widespread concerns about dodgy and unscrupulous overseas aid charities not sending donations where they’re supposed to have led some people to instead express a...
Foreign Aid FAQs – #6 “Their own government should help them”
It is without a doubt true that governments should help their own people. However, this phrase is often used to mean that the welfare...
Foreign Aid FAQs – #5 “Foreign aid fuels overpopulation”
Concerns about overpopulation, or the ‘population explosion’ as it’s sometimes called, are widespread at the moment. The logic surrounding these concerns is understandable –...
Foreign Aid FAQs – #4 “Overseas aid charities are fraudulent”
We’ve all been there – you’re walking down the high street and someone in a brightly coloured t-shirt stops you to ask for donations...
Time for change in South Africa: the ANC picks a new leader
Ever controversial, Jacob Zuma gave his last speech as President of the ANC today. Will his replacement create change in South Africa? Sammy Fookes...
Foreign Aid FAQs – #3 “We send too much money abroad”
Given the significant amount of coverage which the UK foreign aid budget receives in the press, in political discussion, and in charities’ external communications,...
Foreign Aid FAQs – #2 “Foreign aid should be cut to pay for public services”
In any given episode of Question Time, especially during episodes in which the NHS funding crisis is discussed, there is a high chance that...
Foreign Aid FAQs – #1 “Charity begins at home”
The original meaning of this proverb was that a person’s first responsibility is for the needs of their own family and friends. However, nowadays...
Freedom from Tyranny
Two armoured vehicles were parked beside the main road from Harare to Chinhoyi, about 20 km from the city. The news was received with...