An Overview of IFASA
During the second semester of my senior year, I am taking a discussion-based class called Imperialism and Foreign Aid in Sub-Saharan Africa (IFASA). We will look at the history of Africa, themes of imperialism, and modern day aid by reading two books: Dead Aid by Dambisa Moyo and The Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad. We will supplement our understanding and knowledge through other articles and videos. To learn more about the class, visit http://ifasa.weebly.com/.
Part of the class involves staying up-to-date on current events and news related to Africa. To that end, I will use this page to post weekly news articles with a short reflection/comment. |
IFASA News Blog
January 28, 2019
Report Says 1 In 3 U.N. Staffers Has Been Sexually Harassed
I came across this article on NPR, and I was shocked--the United Nations, a renowned international body, is not immune to workplace sexual harassment. Although we aren't very far in IFASA, we've talked a little bit about the inefficiencies of foreign aid--how money isn't always appropriated where it is most needed, and how giving money may not actually solve any problems. This article related to sexual harassment talks about another way that foreign aid can have negative effects. Here is a quote from the article, under the subheading Why Harassment May Happen: "Nate Rabe, a senior humanitarian professional who has worked with the U.N. and many international non-governmental organizations, told NPR: 'Much of the work of the U.N. et al is done in remote areas' and in regions where the norms about sexual harassment are less clear...Finally, he thinks that 'the public generally gives aid workers a pass — they are seen as doing humanitarian work in difficult situations and they are extended not just a benefit of the doubt but often are implicitly trusted.' So there is, he argues, 'a curtain of unquestioning around the industry.'"
At this point in our class, we've started reading Heart of Darkness and most of our content has focused on imperialism and the "scramble for Africa." Since reading this article, I've become more interested in learning about the ineffective parts of foreign aid, and potential solutions.
Report Says 1 In 3 U.N. Staffers Has Been Sexually Harassed
I came across this article on NPR, and I was shocked--the United Nations, a renowned international body, is not immune to workplace sexual harassment. Although we aren't very far in IFASA, we've talked a little bit about the inefficiencies of foreign aid--how money isn't always appropriated where it is most needed, and how giving money may not actually solve any problems. This article related to sexual harassment talks about another way that foreign aid can have negative effects. Here is a quote from the article, under the subheading Why Harassment May Happen: "Nate Rabe, a senior humanitarian professional who has worked with the U.N. and many international non-governmental organizations, told NPR: 'Much of the work of the U.N. et al is done in remote areas' and in regions where the norms about sexual harassment are less clear...Finally, he thinks that 'the public generally gives aid workers a pass — they are seen as doing humanitarian work in difficult situations and they are extended not just a benefit of the doubt but often are implicitly trusted.' So there is, he argues, 'a curtain of unquestioning around the industry.'"
At this point in our class, we've started reading Heart of Darkness and most of our content has focused on imperialism and the "scramble for Africa." Since reading this article, I've become more interested in learning about the ineffective parts of foreign aid, and potential solutions.