103,946 research outputs found

    Transforming for the Future: A 2013 Update from Gail McGovern, President and CEO

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    The importance of the Red Cross to our nation and to the world led them to transform the organization. When Ms. Forman arrived in 2008, the Red Cross was facing a number of serious challenges -- a repeated turnover in leadership; a $209 million operating deficit and significant debt; an unwieldy organizational structure; difficulties within the Blood Services operations; outdated IT systems; a powerful but tired brand; and a fundraising strategy in need of a makeover. It was very clear to Ms. Forman that the Red Cross needed to be saved so it could continue its humanitarian mission for generations to come. Six key initiatives were identified: achieving financial stability, increasing donations, improving Blood Services quality, revitalizing the Red Cross brand, modernizing our IT systems and promoting teamwork -- a part of what we call One Red Cross.Five years later, excellent progress has been made on all six initiatives. The Red Cross has been transformed into a financially stable, leaner and more efficient organization, better prepared for the future. Employees and volunteers have embraced change, created a culture of cost-consciousness and achieved extraordinary successes through the power of teamwork.This report tells you the story of the turnaround and transformation; what has been achieved, what is happening now, and the plans for the future. It is a story that involves dedicated volunteers, donors and supporters -- the true heroes behind the Red Cross mission

    How Mobile Devices are Transforming Disaster Relief and Public Safety

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    With its growing usage, mobile technology is greatly improving disaster relief and public safety efforts. Countries around the world face threats from natural disasters, climate change, civil unrest, terrorist attacks, and criminal activities, among others. Mobile devices, tablets, and smart phones enable emergency providers and the general public to manage these challenges and mitigate public safety concerns.In this paper, part of the Brookings Mobile Economy Project, we focus on how mobile technology provides an early warning system, aids in emergency coordination, and improves public communications. In particular, we review how mobile devices assist with public safety, disaster planning, and crisis response. We explain how these devices are instrumental in the design and functioning of integrated, multi-layered communications networks. We demonstrate how they have helped save lives and ameliorate human suffering throughout the world

    Third Revolution Digital Technology in Disaster Early Warning

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    Networking societies with electronic based technologies can change social morphology, where key social structures and activities are organized around electronically processed information networks. The application of information and communications technologies (ICT) has been shown to have a positive impact across the emergency or disaster lifecycle. For example, utility of mobile, internet and social network technology, commercial and amateur radio networks, television and video networks and open access technologies for processing data and distributing information can be highlighted. Early warning is the key function during an emergency. Early warning system is an interrelated set of hazard warning, risk assessment, communication and preparedness activities that enable individuals, communities, businesses and others to take timely action to reduce their risks. Third revolution digital technology with semantic features such as standard protocols can facilitate standard data exchange therefore proactive decision making. As a result, people belong to any given hierarchy can access the information simultaneously and make decisions on their own challenging the traditional power relations. Within this context, this paper attempts to explore the use of third revolution digital technology for improving early warning

    Crisis Informatics: Perspectives of Trust – Is Social Media a Mixed Blessing?

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    This paper highlights one of the key concerns in the emerging area of crisis informatics: issues of trusted information in crises/disasters and how the unregulated nature of social media affects information creation and dissemination. Deciding which information providers to trust and what sources of information to trust in crises is critical as acting upon trusted information can shape and influence the nature of the crisis. Social media is a powerful tool for sharing information during crises and can be used to improve emergency management capabilities, however, it has the power to misinform and to hinder response efforts

    Preventing and Mitigating Natural Disasters

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    This report highlights the importance of developing and sharing information on natural hazards, ensuring that the disaster-management community, decision-makers and the public understand the risks posed by these hazards and recognize the onset of hazardous weather and its impact on safety and survival procedures. Educational levels: High school, Undergraduate lower division, Undergraduate upper division, Graduate or professional, Informal education, General public

    What Works for Women: Proven Approaches for Empowering Women Smallholders and Achieving Food Security

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    This document presents proven approaches for empowering women smallholders and achieving food security. Over the last few years an unparalleled attention has been given to the issue of food security and the importance of smallholder agriculture, with particular recognition of the role of women farmers. In this context, nine international development agencies have produced this briefing to share the lessons learned based on their experience of promoting gender equality and working with women smallholders and rural women over many decades. This paper concludes with a number of recommendations for policy makers on measures to help close the gender gap in agricultur

    Technology for Good: Innovative Use of Technology by Charities

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    Technology for Good identifies ten technologies being used by charitable organizations in innovative ways. The report briefly introduces each technology and provides examples of how those technologies are being used.Examples are drawn from a broad spectrum of organizations working on widely varied issues around the globe. This makes Technology for Good a unique repository of inspiration for the public and private sectors, funders, and other change makers who support the creation and use of technology for social good

    Crisis is governance : sub-prime, the traumatic event, and bare life

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    The article provides a critical analysis of the role of discourses of trauma and the traumatic event in constituting the ethico-political possibilities and limits of the subprime crisis. It charts the invocation of metaphors of a financial Tsunami and pervasive media focus on emotional ‘responses’ like fear, anger, and blame, suggesting that such traumatic discourses constituted the subprime crisis as a singular and catastrophic ‘event’ demanding of particular (humanitarian) responses. We draw upon the thought of Giorgio Agamben to render this constituted logic of event and response in terms of the concomitant production of bare life; the savers and homeowners who became ‘helpless victims’ in need of rescue. We therefore tie the ongoing production of the sovereign power of global finance to broader processes that entail the enfolding and securing of everyday financial subjects. These arguments are illustrated via an analysis of three subjects: the economy, bankers and borrowers. We argue that it was the movement between subject positions – from safe to vulnerable, from entrepreneurial to greedy, from victim to survivor, etc. - that marked out the effective manner of governance, confirming in this process sovereign categories of financial citizenship, asset based welfare, and securitisation that many would posit as the very problem. In short, (the way that the) crisis (was constituted) is governance
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