Seattle NGOs asked to do something incredible: work together

I’m an amateur choir geek and a professional international development wonk.

Those things might seem unrelated, but they do have one thing common: when talented and creative people come together, beautiful harmonies are made.

In a choir, it’s obvious how making great music works. But in the struggle to reduce poverty around the world, it’s a little harder to harmonize. We call it a “silo.”

Seattle is home to all kinds of development work:  an NGO that builds wells in rural Guatemala; an institute for Afghan women’s rights; a chocolate factory working with a famous actor to benefit Eastern Congo, to name just a few.

Last week, Global Washington brought many of these groups together at an annual conference, encouraging international organizations to move out of their silos and towards “collective impact.”

Seattle NGOs asked to do something incredible: work together
http://www.seattleglobalist.com/ |  Joy Portella | December 13, 2012