A Four Part Series from TTBOOK!

Public Radio International

Wisconsin Public Radio

ETHICS OF WESTERN AID

Program 09-10-25-B

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Does Western aid to impoverished African countries really help? Zambian economist Dambisa Moyo says no – it just lines the pockets of corrupt leaders and createds a culture of dependency. In this hour of To the Best of Our Knowledge we'll talk about the ethics of foreign aid, and hear why philosopher Peter Singers says we really do have a moral obligation to help the world's poorest people.

SEGMENT 1:

Dambisa Moyo was born in Zambia, got a Master's degree from Harvard's Kennedy School of Government and a Ph.D. in Economics from Oxford. Later she worked for The World Bank and Goldman Sachs. Her book is "Dead Aid," and makes the case that Western aid to Africa has been a disaster. She explains why to Anne Strainchamps. Also, philosopher Peter Singer has a knack for controversy. His book "The Life You Can Save," lays out the argument that virtually everyone in America has a moral obligation to give money to help the desperately poor. Singer talks with Steve Paulson about extreme poverty and what we can do about it.

SEGMENT 2:

Jacqueline Novogratz is the founder and CEO of Acumen Fund, and the author of "The Blue Sweater: Bridging the Gap Between Rich and Poor in an Interconnected World." She tells Jim Fleming how she combines capitalism and charity to apply business principles to philanthropy in a way that benefits people's lives.

SEGMENT 3:

Abraham Verghese is a medical doctor and a gifted writer. He teaches at the Stanford Medical School and his latest book is "Cutting for Stone." Verghese reads passages from the novel and talks with Steve Paulson about his own experience with the mission hospital system in Africa.

CD copies are available at 1-800-747-7444. Ask for program number 09-10-25-B.

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Books & CDs:

Abraham Verghese, Cutting for Stone: a novel (Knopf)
Dambisa Moyo, Dead Aid: Why Aid is not working and How There is a Better Way for Africa (FSG)
Peter Singer, The Life You Can Save: Acting Now to End World Poverty (Random House)

Websites:

• Peter Singer's recommended aid organizations:
  http://www.thelifeyoucansave.com/pledge/organizations.php?lang=EN

Music:

• After return:
  Manecas Cost with "Antonio" from "Putumayo Presents Acoustic Africa"
• After Damiba Moyo:
  Angelique Kikjo with "Sedjedo" from "Putumayo Presents Acoustic Africa"
• After Peter Singer:
  "One Love" on "Playing for Change"
• After Jacqueline Novogratz:
  Djelimady Tounkara with "Fanta Bourama" from "Putumayo Presents Acoustic Africa"
• After Abraham Verghese:
  Habib Koite with "Wassiye" from "Putumayo Presents Acoustic Africa"

Distribution dates: week of 08/08/2010 - hour 1 week of 10/25/2009 - hour 2 click HERE for timings and cues

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Questions and comments can be addressed to: flemingj@wpr.org

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