The Changing Meaning of Democracy in Pakistan

By: Fayyaz  Yaseen, Accountability Ambassador to Pakistan.

Pakistan is a country in transition. It is a nation of 180 million people that—through consistent political education by print, electronic, and social media—is reconfiguring and revising its conception of democracy and accountability. And this movement for change seems to be happening in fast-forward mode. In the past month and a half alone, Pakistan has observed: two massive, 40-day long (and still counting) sit-ins in front of its National Assembly, demanding for electoral transparency; two heavy-weight politicians booed out of an airplane by the passengers for keeping the flight waiting; huge public rallies, with no clear leader, demanding electoral transparency and reforms in the police and revenue departments; and hyperactive political debates and discussions on social media demanding an end to the status quo.

The Ingredients for High-Impact Philanthropy: Lessons for Non-Profits

By: Blair Glencorse, Accountability Lab Founder and Executive Director.

Put ten philanthropists, foundation staffers and non-profit leaders in a room; add two days of hands-on learning; and throw in brainstorming sessions and Jeffersonian dinners- and what do you get? The Summer Intensive Workshop for Emerging Leaders in Philanthropy, held on the University of Pennsylvania’s beautiful campus in August.

A Story of Technology and Civic Engagement

By: Anne Sophie Lambert

Tomorrow Accountability Lab is going to the Business Innovation Factory Summit in Providence, Rhode Island! The theme of this year’s summit is “A Good Story Can Change the World” and it will bring together a diverse group of innovative and passionate people from across the country, as well as 32 featured storytellers. At the Lab, we believe that genuine change requires a strong sense of purpose, enthusiasm, and openness. Thus, we’re excited for this rare opportunity to hear the personal narratives and origin stories that shape what many inspiring individuals do and why they do it.

Ebola Dispatch from Liberia’s Northwest

West Point Health and Sanitation Office                  (Photo Credit: Joseph Hong)

Francis Lansana, Accountability Resident, Liberia

I recently had the opportunity to travel to Bomi and Grand Cape Mount counties in the Northwest of Liberia. Quarantines were imposed on these counties for much of August in an attempt to combat the spread of Ebola.  The quarantine imposed in the densely populated township of West Point, in the capital, drew considerable media attention, however similar measures have inflicted strain over other parts of the country as well.

Ebola, Justice, and Liberia’s New Fight

By: Brooks Marmon, Accountability Lab. This post was originally published by Huffington Post.

In May, I moved to Liberia — a country with which I have close personal ties and with which I became deeply acquainted while researching its history for my Master’s thesis — for a job with the Accountability Lab. I was highly excited. I never imagined the devastating extent to which I would witness firsthand how Liberia’s difficult past shapes the numerous challenges it continues to confront in the present.

Update on the Situation in Liberia as of September 9, 2014

Photo credit: Morgana Wingard.

By: Lawrence Yealue, Accountability Lab Liberia Representative and Anne Sophie Lambert, Associate Director.

The current Ebola outbreak is West Africa has now been named the worst in history, and the number of cases in Liberia is rising exponentially, with the WHO predicting thousands more within the next three weeks.

Various stakeholders have begun working together to assess efforts on the ground, and Liberia’s Ministry of Information Cultural Affairs and Tourism (MICAT) commissioned the launch of a website where citizens can find up-to-date information on the crisis in Liberia. It provides the latest numbers and news, reporting 376 cases and 228 deaths in Liberia so far this week.

The Trillion Dollar Scandal

Extreme poverty has been halved in 20 years, and could be virtually wiped out by 2030. But progress is at risk because of the biggest heist the world has never heard of: The Trillion Dollar Scandal.

It is often difficult to put numbers on the disastrous effects of corruption, but analysis from the ONE Campaign’s new report shows the world’s poorest countries are deprived of at least $1 trillion each year by criminals and corrupt officials who exploit layers of secrecy to siphon off cash through money laundering, illegal tax evasion and embezzlement.