Michael Poffenberger

Recent Activity

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  Michael signed the petition | almost 2 years ago

  Tell Congress to Fund Crucial Programs to End Human Trafficking
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  Michael signed the petition | over 2 years ago

  Action: Tell the House to Fund Crucial Services for Human Trafficking Survivors
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  Michael commented on the article | almost 3 years ago

  The Weakest Critique of Social Entrepreneurship

  I agree with much of the posting above about the value added by small nonprofits. Those who have an automatic cynicism toward start-ups are missing the reality that 1) start-ups, or other relatively young but dynamic organizations often deliver much higher bang for buck, as the organization has not developed a bureaucratic culture (but instead a fast-paced one driven by the need for basic survial) and 2) innovation in the nonprofit sector often (usually?) starts with smaller, entrepreneurial type activities, and then spreads to the more established organizations. The reality is that most of the World Visions out there still don't know a thing about effective grassroots organizing or web-based viral marketing and PR.
  
  The frustrating part, however is that unlike the corporate world, in the nonprofit world the mission is not simply profit - meaning that often times organizations with incredible, low-cost outcomes get pushed around/out by those with access to $$.

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  Michael commented on the article | about 3 years ago

  The Rumble Continues - Save Darfur Can't Save Darfur

  I have to disagree with the thrust of this argument.
  
  As much as I agree with the fundamental points that (1) Western groups alone can't "save" Darfur (whatever that means), and (2) ill-informed advocacy efforts can do more harm than good, I think the portrayal here is too simplistic.
  
  First, you could argue that the Save Darfur brand is misleading. But you could equally argue that Save Darfur itself has never once (unless I've not seen it) announced that they - or the U.S. government, or anyone outside Sudan for that matter - have the power to advance sustainable peace. The name "Save Darfur" is a brand, not a message. It highlights the urgency of the situation and is an effective tool for mobilizing. Whether or not we are shooting ourselves in the foot with such brands - which may lead to disillusionment of activists by contributing to false expectations - is another question.
  
  Second, this posting suggests that we have far LESS power than we really do to see the violence ended. Sustainable peacebuilding absolutely does have to be locally-led and oriented, and international advocacy efforts - to be most effective - should do better at taking this fact into account. However, to suggest that world powers should be no more than bystanders is just wrong. We have incredible leverage, and the fact that the violence has not ended does not at all imply that nothing the U.S. does can or will lead to a quicker resolution. That's reductionist.