GiveDirectly的动态

This is an important study which reinforces international evidence that sustained cash transfers and basic income have significant developmental benefits, and economic multipliers. Our own research in South Africa, by the Institute For Economic Justice (IEJ) and others, where we have an embryonic basic income, in the form of a cash grant for adults- the SRD Grant (albeit too small and exclusionary) supports this view. It is now the time to move from pilots to implementation of national #BasicIncome policies. We are on the cusp of such a breakthrough in South Africa, where the governing party, as well as a number of other parties, now support the introduction of Basic Income, in the run up to our general elections on May 29. This could be a game changer for South Africa and other developing countries, if it is adopted more broadly.

Unconditional cash transfers work best in different cadences

Intro to the video: A study comparing the impacts of a single lump sum payment of $500 with a Universal Basic Income: monthly payment of $22.50 for two years and 12 years, respectively. All adults residing in the villages were given cash, and those guaranteed a 12-year payment are still receiving it. After two years, some interesting findings have emerged... Watch the video and find out for yourself. #UBI #GiveDirectly

Here’s a break down of findings form the world’s longest #UBI study from Miriam Laker-Oketta. ? ? A monthly universal basic income (UBI) empowered recipients and did not create idleness. They invested, became more entrepreneurial, and earned more. The common concern of “laziness” never materialized, as recipients did not work less nor drink more. ? ? Both a large lump sum and a long-term UBI proved highly effective. The lump sum enabled big investments and the guarantee of 12 years of UBI encouraged savings and risk-taking. ? A short-term UBI was the least impactful of the designs but still effective. On nearly all important economic measures, a 2-year-only UBI performed less well than giving cash as a large lump sum or guaranteeing a long-term UBI, despite each group having received roughly the same total amount of money at this point. However, it still had a positive impact on most measures. ??People need larger sums to make bigger investments. To quote the researchers: “Discussions about UBI usually begin from a narrative of meeting basic needs. But even the most destitute households often look for ways to accumulate sums of money large enough to make larger, lumpier purchases. Designing [cash transfer] schemes in ways that respond to this need could make them a more compelling strategy for addressing extreme poverty over time.” -?Tavneet Suri?et al. ?? Governments should consider changing how they deliver cash aid. Short-term monthly payments, which this study found to be the least impactful design, are the most common way people in both low- and high-income countries receive cash assistance, and it’s how most UBI pilots are currently designed. ??https://lnkd.in/e9cqUt2V Thanks to our research partners at?Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL)?&?Innovations for Poverty Action?#research?#ubi?#universalbasicincome

From Research to Reality: Unveiling the Power of Zakat Every milestone starts with a question. Ours was simple but profound: How can zakat—a centuries-old pillar of Islam—be leveraged to tackle poverty in a modern, ever-evolving world? That question led to a journey of exploration, collaboration, and discovery. Today, I’m proud to announce that our research, “Zakat and Poverty Alleviation in Malaysia – A Systematic Review and Bibliometric Analysis,” has been published in the International Journal of Islamic Economics and Finance Research (IJIEFER) (Vol. 7, No. 2, Dec 2024). What’s the Story Behind the Research? Zakat, at its core, is more than a financial obligation—it’s a lifeline, a tool for empowerment, and a vehicle for societal transformation. While its potential has been acknowledged for centuries, our team wanted to dig deeper. We wanted to understand how zakat could be harnessed systematically and sustainably to address one of humanity’s most persistent challenges: poverty. Our study analyzed 234 academic articles, narrowing them down to 19 that focus specifically on Malaysia. Using bibliometric analysis and systematic review techniques, we uncovered critical insights into how zakat is currently managed, the role of technology in its distribution, and its impact on poverty alleviation. What Did We Discover? Zakat Empowers Lives: Zakat isn’t just about giving—it’s about transforming. From providing immediate relief to funding entrepreneurial ventures, it creates pathways for sustainable livelihoods. Technology is a Game Changer: Innovations like blockchain and mobile banking are redefining how zakat is collected and distributed. With these tools, transparency, efficiency, and trust are reaching new heights. Collaboration is Key: When combined with other Islamic social finance tools like waqf and microfinance, zakat’s impact is amplified—addressing both immediate needs and long-term economic stability. The Road Ahead: Our findings point to gaps in research and practice. There’s an urgent need to explore how advanced technologies and integrated solutions can further enhance zakat’s effectiveness. Why Does This Matter? Poverty remains a global challenge, even in nations like Malaysia, which has made remarkable progress. This research is a call to action—for policymakers, scholars, and institutions—to rethink how zakat is managed and applied. It’s about embracing innovation while staying true to the principles of equity and compassion. Gratitude and Vision This publication wouldn’t have been possible without the unwavering support of our Professor, Dr. Hengchao Zhang, and the academic community at INCEIF University. It’s a collective achievement, and I’m deeply grateful for everyone who played a part. But more than anything, this is just the beginning. We hope this research inspires further dialogue, collaboration, and innovation in the field of Islamic finance. https://lnkd.in/dUzfwYrY

The Sunday that was… (Photo credit: Poh Bee Koon) I was to be invited as a consultant by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and Ministry of Economy to their co-hosted triangulation meeting with relevant government departments and ministries, as well as the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) and other consultants to discuss updated measures of multidimensional poverty indicators in Malaysia. My role was to give perspectives on how mental health status influences poverty. Our approach to poverty is multidimensional as guided by Indian economist, Harvard professor and Nobel Laureate, Dr Amartya Sen, who asserted that poverty is not just about financial status but also measures of personal deprivation of capabilities and opportunities that affects personal sustainability such as education, health, justice and basic infrastructure. He is known to have said “You cannot draw a poverty line and then apply it across the board to everyone the same way, without taking into account personal characteristics and circumstances.” So, on my part, I co-facilitated with Dr Haniza Khalid from UNDP on mental health literacy and status as a consideration for the measurement of multidimensional poverty. We wanted to know if there’s a way to measure the level of deprivation of knowledge and access to psychological help in a household that would contribute to overall deprivation that can be considered as poverty. It was a wonderful and matured discussion with various agencies sharing opinions and challenges, especially from our Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) that’s instrumental in collecting our national census. Great experience and co-learning opportunity. I’m truly grateful for everyone’s questions and input. Anyway, our conclusion was while mental health literacy and status are important elements to consider in deprivation contributing to poverty, we are not yet ready to measure it in a meaningful way within our population given low mental health literacy and high stigma associated with the topic of mental health and illness. There’s much work to do on improving mental health literacy and the access to mental health services as well as the stigma of the word ‘mental’. Here’s a research challenge to psychology departments out there: How can we ask a question to measure if a household is deprived of both mental health literacy and mental health services without getting defensive responses such as denial?

I recently completed this Massive Open Online Course jointly offered by the Oxford Poverty & Human Development Initiative (OPHI), University of Oxford and UNDP, titled 'Designing a Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI)'. -This well knit gem seems to be the go to fundamental for any public policy enthusiast eager to know about MPI, its formulation , design and implications on social policy. -The course is specially designed to reach the non technical audience by simplifying unidimensional and multidimensional data use methods. -It also illustrates the technical and political processes to create sustainable and rigorous measures that are proactively and effectively used in policy to end poverty. -The pivot of this course is the Alkire-foster method that is beautifully explained by the propounders themselves, Sabina Alkire and James Foster. Hence, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Course link:

The World Bank's international poverty line is used as a benchmark to set goals for development and to monitor progress on tackling poverty. But how accurate is the measure? A new study co-authored by Dr Michail Moatsos, Research Fellow in the Department of International Development, investigates the current method of poverty line calculation and demonstrates several flaws in both its methods and its findings. The main problem, Dr Moatsos says, is in the comparisons of 'purchasing power'. Read more about the study: https://lnkd.in/gUX9CcQ5 Or read the Open Access study published in Nature's Humanities and Social Sciences Communications journal: https://lnkd.in/gxsXiJw8

? How can we really contribute to a world without poverty? ? What role does education play in this global fight? ?? World Day Against Poverty - Together for a future without poverty! ??? ?? October 17 marks a day of global solidarity when we remember that fighting poverty is a shared duty. Since 1992, this day has been recognised by the United Nations to raise awareness of the need to guarantee dignity and fundamental rights for all. ?? Sustainable Development Goal 1 aims to eradicate poverty in all its forms throughout the world. ?? At EFPA Luxembourg ASBL, we firmly believe that education and training are essential levers for meeting this challenge. This is why, through our certification and professional development programmes, but also through our ethical code, we are committed to providing everyone with recognised skills and qualifications. ?? Our certifications, recognised in Europe and by the local regulator, the CSSF, guarantee high-level skills throughout careers, thereby supporting economic and social stability. ?? As a not-for-profit association, EFPA Luxembourg ASBL contributes directly to the Sustainable Development Goals, promoting inclusive growth and supporting tomorrow's talent in the Luxembourg financial sector. ?? Together, let's mobilise so that everyone has the tools and opportunities to lift themselves out of poverty. ?? ?? Join us now! https://lnkd.in/eWKTtkVK #SDG1 #NoPoverty #EFPALuxembourg #ProfessionalTraining #Certification #SocialImpact #SustainableDevelopment

?? In order to help the poor, you need to understand them. ?? "Poor Economics" by Abhijit V. Banerjee and Esther Duflo offers a deep dive into the lives of the world's poorest populations, presenting groundbreaking research that challenges our assumptions and proposes innovative solutions to alleviate poverty. ?? What captivated me most about this book were the eye-opening insights into the lives of the poor and the detailed exploration of the most effective strategies to help them. It's not just about the data or the analysis; it's the real-world examples and rigorous evidence that bring to light the immense potential for positive change in global poverty alleviation efforts. ?? If you're looking for a read that combines deep economic analysis with a compassionate look at human lives, this is it. ? The picture below is an illustration of how not to do it: fly in with shiny consultants that don't understand the situation on the ground.