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Contributor Guidelines
Submitting guest blogs is open to Global Washington’s members of the Atlas level and above. We value a diversity of opinions on a broad range of subjects of interest to the global health and development community.
Blog article submissions should be 500-1500 words. Photos, graphs, videos, and other art that supports the main themes are strongly encouraged.
You may not be the best writer, and that’s okay. We can help you shape and edit your contribution. The most important thing is that it furthers an important conversation in your field, and that it is relatively jargon-free. Anyone without a background in global development should still be able to engage with your ideas.
If you include statistics or reference current research, please hyperlink your sources in the text, wherever possible.
Have an idea of what you’d like to write about? Let’s continue the conversation! Email comms@globalWA.org and put “Blog Idea” in the subject line.
Posted on February 20, 2014
By Kelly Gibbs
Global Washington recently hosted its monthly Executive Director Roundtable featuring Ndudi Ikoro Chuku, Executive Director of Mission Africa. The organization aims to empower children and families in the remote villages of Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya by providing support in three core areas: education, healthcare and poverty alleviation.
Ms. Chuku talked about her work in Africa and the challenges of running a small NGO, and she shared insights on her strengths and weaknesses as a leader. This led to a robust discussion among everyone in the room, touching on issues that cross sectors and issue areas. Chuku was joined by several leaders of other GlobalWA member organizations: Theo Chocolate, Literacy Bridge, The Post Harvest Project, Antioch University and Dwankhozi Hope. Continue Reading
Posted on February 17, 2014
By Gena Lux
FSG, a GlobalWA member and nonprofit consulting firm, recently evaluated 50 of the largest U.S.-based international non-governmental organizations (INGOs). The findings, published in the report Ahead of the Curve: Insights for the International NGO of the Future, provides systematic direction on how to be a more effective INGO.
The main focus of FSG’s report is the “innovator’s dilemma,” which suggests that INGOs are saddled with an outdated organizational model that will fail to meet the demands of the future. This dilemma is described as the result of donor relationships that dictate funding procurement that leave little time for the development of mutual partnerships or the ability to create innovations that address global challenges. Until INGOs address these dilemmas, they will never be able to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, according to the FSG report. Continue Reading
Posted on February 12, 2014
By Kelly Gibbs
Photo credit: publicenergy/Dave Wild
Dairy farmers who raise their cows on grass and legumes were once again shut out of the subsidies that go to non-organic dairies in the 2014 Farm Bill. That means organic milk will continue to cost more in the grocery store than its non-organic counterpart, however it may be worth the higher price.
GlobalWA member Washington State University recently completed a study which may make you think differently about the milk you’re drinking.
The 18-month study concluded that drinking organic milk derived from grass and legume-fed cows significantly increases omega-3 fatty acids (w3 FAs) and conjugated linoleic acid (CLAs), which both help to prevent cardiovascular disease and cancer.
While there has been no shortage of news about omegas and essential fatty acids being good for the body, this latest study from WSU has revealed surprising new details. Along with proving that organic whole milk is in fact good for you, it contradicts earlier reports on dairy products having a negative effect on health, and it downplays the value of consuming reduced-fat dairy products.
“Milk products are good sources of many nutrients, including several of concern in at least some U.S. population cohorts – calcium, potassium, vitamin D (in fortified milk products), vitamin B12, and protein1,” the study said.
Continue Reading
