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Is Cash Better for Poor People Than Conventional Foreign Aid?

Marc Gunther

September 11, 2018 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Rwanda, Matinza

Direct cash transfers to poor people in developing countries is a newer way to spend foreign aid dollars. GiveDirectly is the prominent charity who pioneered this method of giving cash as a form of aid, with the rationale that poor people are better equipped to decide where a dollar should go than an outside organization. A study sponsored by the United States Agency for International Development aims to compare the effectiveness of cash transfers and traditional nonprofit programs. The results may shape the future of aid in America and around the globe.

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Eight drivers, five days: A migrant's emotional journey to find her daughter

Marrisa J. Lang Arelis R. Hernández

September 11, 2018 |

The Washington Post |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States

Immigrant Families Together is a coalition of volunteers trying reunify parents and children that were separated due to the Donald Trump administration’s “Zero Tolerance” policy. They are paying for bonds, releasing immigrants, and driving them across state lines to be reunited with their children. Already, they’ve helped reunite a dozen families.

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How two men and a WhatsApp group rescued scores of Afghan heroes

Ewen MacAskill

September 07, 2018 |

The Guardian |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Afghanistan

A British military officer and his Afghanistan translator created a network of interpreters to help push policy changes in the United Kingdom to allow more translators to move to the country with their families. Out of the 2,000 interpreters employed by the British military, fewer than 400 have been able to relocate legally even though most face deadly reprisals for their work. The effort has brought promises of change from top officials, but much remains to be done.

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Stripped: The Search for Human Rights in US Women's Prisons

Adam Skolnick

September 07, 2018 |

Longreads |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Washington

After her client and friend gets sentenced to 13 years in prison at the Washington Corrections Center for Women, Laurie Dawson, an activist, sets out to reform prison practices. With the guidance of the Bangkok Rules, an international document that outlines 70 principles meant to reform women’s prisons, Dawson sets her sight on eliminating strip searches from WCCM, and succeeds.

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Federal program to aid low-income areas ready for local investors

Brian Edwards

September 07, 2018 |

The Montgomery Advertiser |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Montgomery, Alabama

Since the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act passed, investors, community leaders, and local governments have been talking about Opportunity Zones. These are low-income areas in each state--Alabama has 150--that will incentivize investor spending by providing tax breaks for longer-term investment in areas typically not on the highest priority list for traditional investors. Montgomery, Alabama is seeking input from local groups on where funding can best be spent. Though the opportunity zones legislation is in its early days, many are excited about the potential to stimulate economic growth.

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Bees are dying at an alarming rate. Amsterdam may have the answer.

Linda Givetash

September 07, 2018 |

NBC News |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Netherlands, Amsterdam

Despite declining bee populations internationally, Amsterdam's bee population has stabilized and appears to be on the rise. Thanks to several initiatives such as insect hotels, the banning of pesticides and the creation of bee-friendly environments, the city's government-enforced pollinator strategy provides lessons for cities everywhere.

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Why Costa Rica Is One Of The Happiest Countries In The World

Lindsay Fendt

September 06, 2018 |

The Huffington Post |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: Costa Rica

Costa Rico consistently places on lists of the happiest countries in the world; the levels of satisfaction, along with longevity of the citizens, has been attributed to its consistently high levels of investment in social programs and citizen well-being. Despite their high wealth inequality, all citizens of Costa Rico are promised access to health care as well as a primary and secondary education.

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Jolted

Nina Keck Liam Elder-Connors

September 05, 2018 |

Vermont Public Radio |

Podcast |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Fair Haven, Vermont

When it’s discovered that someone is planning a mass shooting, what are the possible responses? Can those individuals be prosecuted? How do states balance personal liberty and public safety? These are all questions that residents of Fair Haven, Vermont had to grapple with when plans of a school shooting were found. From better threat assessments, to gun control legislation, to considering teen’s experiences in today’s world, the issues and corresponding responses prove challenging reconcile.

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Meet the network tearing down walls between departments in Taiwan

Jennifer Guay

September 05, 2018 |

Apolitical |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Taiwan

Taiwan is getting creative with tackling tough policy issues. Representatives from all 32 government ministries meet every month, vote on topics to focus on, and conduct workshops with citizens. So far, the network has produced a user-friendly online tax system and is working on a new health card service policy.

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Inside Greece's first smart city: 'Now you don't need to know a politician to get something done'

Venetia Rainey

September 04, 2018 |

The Guardian |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Greece, Trikala

To improve government services and fight brain drain, the Greek city of Trikala transformed itself into a hub of innovation. Rather than spend money the city didn’t have, officials partnered with the EU and tech companies to host pilot projects, including driverless buses and an e-complaint system. Trikala is now recognized as one of the world’s top smart cities.

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