Quite a lively conversation at one of the workshops at the HIV/AIDS congress in Amsterdam on World AIDS day (1 Dec). People from all over the world with very different backgrounds. First the conversation centred on adoption and its effects on the adopted child, on the biological parents, and on the adopting parents. All agreed that adoption should always be a last resort and that ultimately poverty was the cause of most cross continental adoptions. First the biological parents, then the extended family, then the wider local community, then adopting parents with the same nationality/background, then foreign well-meaning adopting parents, and then, and only then, Madonna or other celebrities. Being adopted by Madonna seemed like the worst case scenario. What do you think little David Banda?
Then the discussion shifted to how to fight poverty. One of the main premises was to ensure that the money was put in the hands of the poor themselves. But how do we ensure it gets into their hands, and when it does, that it gets spent on the right things? Was this back to square 1 or Aid 2.0?
Time for me to pitch PlanLive: Through the use of Web2.0 technologies and mobile phones we can now ensure the money does reach the poor and follow-up on what that money gets used for. Are we ready?
Then the discussion shifted to how to fight poverty. One of the main premises was to ensure that the money was put in the hands of the poor themselves. But how do we ensure it gets into their hands, and when it does, that it gets spent on the right things? Was this back to square 1 or Aid 2.0?
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