Podcast

Economic Development

Michael Spence - Financial Crisis and a Changing Business World

How have some developing countries managed to overcome poverty? What kinds of economic and political decisions have led to their success? In this audio lecture Michael Spence, Nobel Memorial Prize Winner in Economic Sciences, discusses what the Commission on Growth and Development has learned about the characteristics of nations that have been able to advance economically despite the recent global financial crisis.

Podcast

Energy

Rolf Papsdorf - Providing Environmental Sustainability Solutions

The unique advantages of zinc air fuel cells have been harnessed as an environmental sustainability measure to deliver reliable, renewable, and affordable electricity to rural communities off the grid. In this audio interview, Stanford Center for Social Innovation correspondent Sheela Sethuraman talks with 2009 Tech Award winner Rolf Papsdorf to find out how his company, Alternative Energy Development Corporation, combines sound economics, customer service, and social responsibility to tangibly improve the lives of people around the world.

Microfinance

Rebuilding Haiti with Microfinance (Video)

By Reeta Roy

Partnership brings greater social impact. This post features a video.

Social Innovations

Asking the Right Questions

By Jenna Nicholas 1

A report on a talk by Jeffrey Sachs, director of The Earth Institute, professor of Sustainable Development, and professor of Health Policy and Management at Columbia University.

Foundations

Fairness, Justice, and the Social Sector

By Perla Ni

A new report suggests that no matter how narrow a foundation’s (or by extension, a nonprofit’s) mission, it should creatively serve a broad base of beneficiaries and not exclude the poor or minorities.

Social Entrepreneurship

Voices from the Skoll World Forum

By Grace Augustine

A report from the opening plenary at the Skoll World Forum, featuring Paul Farmer.

Microfinance

Reinforcing Resilience, Rebuilding Haiti

By Reeta Roy 1

Calling on the resilience and creativity of the Haitian people will speed Haiti’s post-earthquake recovery.

Technology & Design

The Information Age Goes Old School

By Peter Manzo

Is the digital divide a thing of the past?

Nonprofits

The Heartache of the Failed Hail Mary

By John Brothers 1

A look at how nonprofits can improve organizational capacity in order to more effectively implement long-lasting social change.

Economic Development

Listening to African Youth

By Reeta Roy 8

Effective social change stems from listening to African youth, confronting the realities of poverty from their perspectives and on their terms.