I’m changing the world one diaper at a time in partnership with my infant daughter. (read the shirt) I also have a 4-year old son and a wife of eight years. We live together in Bogotá, Colombia, where I’m basing a 1-2 year-long organizational action research project.
I’m a development practitioner with over a dozen years of experience designing, managing, and evaluating development projects in over two dozen countries. I’ve held positions with a variety of organizations, including the Mennonite Central Committee, World Concern, Agros International, Trickle Up, and World Vision International. My work history is fairly diverse and has included launching a microfinance program in Bolivia, consulting a multinational mining corporation on their corporate social responsibility strategy, evaluating a multi-million dollar emergency response to the Indian Ocean tsunami, co-creating an econometric model to help combat corruption in Peru, and leading a multinational team of operations auditors. I currently work for a global non-profit relief & development organization as the Director of Independent Research and Evaluation (IRE). I’m also the founder and editor of The Global Citizen: a Journal for Young Adults Engaging the World Through Service, which is published by The Krista Foundation for Global Citizenship, where I’ve served as a Board member for the past several years.
I have a B.A. in International Political Economy from the University of Puget Sound and a Masters in Public Administration in International Development (MPA/ID) from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. I do a bit of public speaking on themes related to global citizenship, principles for community development work, and development theology. I recently started writing my first book – can you guess the title? I’m totally new to blogging, which I fear is only too obvious as my posts so far read more like short articles or essays than blog posts. I’m trying to reform. (BTW, I’m the guy on the left in this photo in case you weren’t sure.)
I like running marathons (well I like running half-marathons and loath running full marathons), mountain climbing, beating on West African hand drums, cooking, sharing good wine, going regicidal on my friends who will still play chess with me, and I just took up soccer and joined a league. I even score the occasional goal, and usually for my team too! Although I’m not totally sure I’m a pacifist, I’m theologically, if not historically, an Anabaptist. We currently attend an Hermanos Mennonitas church here in Bogotá.
You can also follow me on Twitter at AaronAusland or on Facebook at Staying For Tea. You can write me an email at theglobalcitizen(at)me.com.
Here’s the official headshot that I’ll be using for the Huffington Post.
And here’s an intimidating head-shot in case you can’t take a blog seriously unless the author can strike a frighteningly intelligent pose.
Thanks Aaron for the invite to your blog. I will look forward to learning from your experiences. All the very best.
Good stuff, Aaron. Thanks for sharing.
Un blog buenisimo y sumamente interesante! Voy a seguir a este blog con frecuencia! Tambien pasare esta pagina a mis amigos quienes estan trabajando para Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) y otras ONGs. Fuerte abrazo!
Congratulations on “Staying for Tea.” In looking it over, I have an immediate affinity and I hope that we can find a way to collaborate.
In working with international development agencies over the years, I found myself continually experiencing the limitations of donor-controlled, project-based funding and the need for community-driven development initiatives that were genuinely responsive to local needs. Much of the feedback from colleagues over the years echoes the same.
That’s why I’m launching http://www.how-matters.org.
My blog explores the skills and knowledge needed by all international “do-gooders” to truly raise the level of human dignity within international assistance and to put real resources behind local means of overcoming obstacles. From my perspective, it’s not about what we do, but HOW we do it.
Postings include good practices, reflection & rumination, guest bloggers, links and resources, and will (hopefully) inspire dialogue among a fuller, more inclusive community of those involved with foreign aid and international assistance around the world.
I would appreciate if you would include “How Matters” in your list of related blogs. I’ve already done the same for Staying for Tea.
How-matters.org is an expression of my professional, but more importantly, a personal resolve to nurture alternative models of international development that genuinely build on the dignity, knowledge, skills, culture, and abilities of local people.
The journey begins…and thanks for your support.
Jennifer
Hi Aaron,
I couldn’t find any contact information so I decided to leave a comment here.
I’m Andrew Dunkle and I currently serve as the senior editor of GoOverseas.com. We are contacting you with regard to your blog, which the editorial staff at GO! Overseas has selected as one of the top blogs related to volunteering abroad. As recognition of your outstanding writing skills we are delighted to include your blog in a select list of websites representing volunteering abroad. We select only the most exceptional blogs that meet our exacting standards and we hope you feel a sense of pride that you have been recognized for your efforts. You may view this list on our website here:
http://www.gooverseas.com/volunteer-abroad-blogs
You are welcome to display one of the image badges we have created specifically for blogs we feature. This is an easy way to let your readers know that you have been recognized as an outstanding blogger. You may contact us to receive a image badge via email.
Thank you for all the high quality content you have contributed to the global online community. We look forward to continuing to follow your experiences abroad. If you have questions about GO! Overseas please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Warm regards,
Andrew Dunkle
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Andrew Dunkle
Senior Editor
http://www.gooverseas.com
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This is a great resource for students creating an essay on ‘poorism’ or poverty tourism – really enjoyed your comments and will use them in my ‘critical analysis’ of the issue… hope that’s ok
Thank you Sarah. Glad you find the posts useful. You are, of course, welcome to cite or quote any of the material I post here.
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