A new approach, labeled “Effective Altruism” (EA) has gained traction in the debate on the impact of development aid. Unlike Aid Effectiveness, which involves donor and recipient governments, the new approach involves philanthropic institutions and their chosen (non-)governmental recipients and explores ways in which funding can be used most efficiently to have the greatest impact. Its proponents claim that their funding decisions are based on evidence-based results. However, such decisions are primarily grounded in cost-benefit considerations, neglecting social and cultural considerations and looking at problems in isolation from the wider context. From a human rights perspective, several concerns arise concerning the underlying assumptions, the methodology and the consequences of the practical application of EA. A new briefing paper, published by Global Policy Forum, Brot für die Welt and MISEREOR provides an overview of the approach underlying EA, how and by whom it is applied and its problems and consequences. It concludes that policy makers, rather than be guided by its assumptions and conclusions, must instead concentrate on understanding the confounding structural causes of interdependent global challenges and aim at their long-term solution, within an overarching human rights framework.
January 22, 2019 | GPF et al.
What you get for your dollar
"Effective Altruism"-What it is, how philanthropic foundations use it and what are its risks and side-effects
by Karolin Seitz
In parallel to the debate on ‘Aid Effectiveness’ among donor and recipient countries, a new approach, labeled “Effective Altruism” (EA) has gained traction in the debate on the impact of development aid. Unlike Aid Effectiveness, which involves donor and recipient governments, the new approach involves philanthropic institutions and their chosen (non-)governmental recipients and explores ways in which funding can be used most efficiently to have the greatest impact. Its proponents, including new philanthropic entities and so-called ‘venture philanthropies’ such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, claim that their funding decisions are based on evidence-based results. However, such decisions are primarily grounded in cost-benefit considerations, neglecting social and cultural considerations and looking at problems in isolation from the wider context. Ensuring that charitable giving is used for the maximum good, is a worthy goal. However, from a human rights perspective, several concerns arise concerning the underlying assumptions, the methodology and the consequences of the practical application of EA.
This briefing paper provides an overview of the approach underlying EA, how and by whom it is applied and its problems and consequences. It concludes that policy makers, rather than be guided by its assumptions and conclusions, must instead concentrate on understanding the confounding structural causes of interdependent global challenges and aim at their long-term solution, within an overarching human rights framework.
Download the briefing here (pdf, 239 KB).
What you get for your dollar
"Effective Altruism" - What it is, how philanthropic foundations use it and what are its risks and side-effects
Briefing
Author: Karolin Seitz
Published by: Bischöfliches Hilfswerk MISEREOR, Evangelisches Werk für Diakonie und Entwicklung - Brot für die Welt, Global Policy Forum
Aachen/Berlin/Bonn, January 2019
Download the briefing here (pdf, 239 KB).
