Iraqi Refugees Now Receive Food Vouchers Via Text Message

Part of the United Nations system and voluntarily funded, the World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. The international aid agency launched a pilot project in Damascus, Syria that allows Iraqi refugees to receive food vouchers electronically via mobile phone text messages. According to WFP's announcement on October 28, 2009, "As part of a ground-breaking pilot project, [an Iraqi refugee] is receiving food vouchers electronically over her phone, which she can then spend in selected government-run shops. Instead of travelling to a distribution centre and struggling back with a two-month ration of food, she can now pick and choose to buy what she wants, when she wants." WFP claims this is the first project of its kind in the world. (Photo of Iraqi refugees in Damascus courtesy of WFP/Selly Muzammil)

In describing the details of this innovative initiative, WFP says that "refugees can buy items such as cheese and eggs that are difficult to transport and could not normally be included in a conventional aid basket." Every two months, participants of this innovative project "receive a coded message on a special SIM card, entitling them to a voucher worth US$22 per person. They take their phone along to state-run stores where they can cash in all or part of the 'virtual voucher.'"

"Around one thousand families are involved in the four-month pilot phase, which will be extended if it is successful. The project has been developed in cooperation with the Syrian government, enabling the refugees to redeem their vouchers in state-run stores in the Jaramana and Sayeda Zeinab neighbourhoods of Damascus. The mobile phone service provider MTN has donated SIM cards for the project."

According to government estimates, approximately 1.2 million Iraqis reside in Syria, "and, of those, around 130,000 regularly receive food assistance from WFP," explains the Rome, Italy-based humanitarian agency. "Over the last two years, the agency has been texting refugees with the times and locations of food distributions."

While other aid agencies have used phone messages and ATM cards to transfer cash to those in need, "this is believed to be the first time mobiles have been used to deliver food vouchers. Schemes involving vouchers are particularly useful in urban settings where food is available but those in need are unable to afford it."

African Union Ambassador Visits Seattle Promoting Business Opportunities

I had the pleasure of meeting Amina Salum Ali, Ambassador of the African Union (AU) to the United States, during her visit to Seattle. Hosted by the Trade Development Alliance of Greater Seattle and the Africa Chamber of Commerce of the Pacific Northwest on October 27, 2009, Ambassador Ali gave a presentation titled "An Integrated Africa: An Overview of African Economies and the African Union." Since her appoint as the AU ambassador in 2007, this was the Ambassador's first trip outside of Washington, DC that focused primarily on promoting Africa as an investment opportunity. (Photo of Ambassador Ali courtesy of the Trade Development Alliance of Greater Seattle/Allison Peterson)

Ambassador Ali gave an excellent presentation outlining the economic benefits of investing in the African continent. Specifically, she noted the opportunities that exist in manufacturing, agriculture, mining, health care, transportation, and information and communications technology including using mobile phones for banking, education, and medicine. While Africa is not immune to the economic recession, said Ambassador Ali, many investors in Africa are seeing a positive return on their investment. She also encouraged investors to focus on establishing processing operations, which are greatly lacking throughout Africa. Not only is De Beers mining diamonds in Africa, Ambassador Ali noted, the diamond conglomerate is the only company processing its product (diamonds) locally.

Ambassador Ali highlighted the benefits of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which was signed into U.S. law in 2000. According to a website maintained by the U.S. Department of Commerce, http://www.agoa.gov, AGOA "provides beneficiary countries in Sub-Saharan Africa with the most liberal access to the U.S. market available to any country or region with which we do not have a Free Trade Agreement. It reinforces African reform efforts, provides improved access to U.S. credit and technical expertise, and establishes a high-level dialogue on trade and investment in the form of a U.S.-Sub-Saharan Africa Trade and Economic Forum."

While acknowledging the humanitarian and military conflicts that exist in Africa, she reminded the attendees, who included several members of the African Diaspora that conflicts will dissipate as standards of living increase and people improve their lives through access to education, job training, medical services, and economic development support. She encouraged the African Diaspora to help promote the benefits of doing business in Africa by speaking positively about their home continent noting Africa's abundance of natural resources, vast landscapes, and diverse cultures.

I had the opportunity to ask Ambassador Ali two questions: (1) What is AU's strategy for combating corruption and properly training local government officials to eliminate corrupt practices that often impede economic development and (2) what legal recourse do investors have to resolve business disputes? In responding to the former, Ambassador Ali noted that many African nations have taken significant steps to combat corruption, which is evident by the regular media reports discussing the latest arrests or convictions. The broad media attention on Africa's corruption, she explained, is not about a failed system, but representative of effective actions and policies aimed to eradicate corrupt practices. She also noted the adoption of the "African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption" in 2003 and ongoing collaborative efforts between the AU and the World Bank.

With respect to second question, Ambassador Ali said that many local and regional courts have the capacity of handling legal cases to resolve business disputes. Moreover, some parties have opted to seek arbitration or have their cases heard in jurisdictions outside of the AU. I prefaced my question saying that many American investors may take the risk of investing in Africa where infrastructure may be limited, but their concerns reside in not understanding the options available to resolve business disputes.

Having traveled extensively throughout Africa, I know the benefits the continent has to offer for investors. While Ambassador Ali is correct in listing energy, health care, mining, agriculture, transportation, and manufacturing as ideal business opportunities, I favor the opportunities that exist in information and communications technology. As I often discuss on this blog, ICT and specifically mobile communications are producing substantial financial returns for investors and making a social difference for all of Africa.

I commend Ambassador Ali for making Seattle her first U.S. destination outside of Washington, DC to promote the business opportunities that exist in Africa. It is important that other diplomats and government officials representing developing nations take a more proactive approach in attracting foreign direct investment. Feel free to contact me if you are interested in learning more about the investment opportunities that exist in Africa. I am happy to share my experiences of doing business in one of the world's most diverse markets.

GE Launches $250 Million Fund to Invest in High Potential Healthcare Technology

I strongly support any initiative from the private sector that provides financial support to emerging companies designing innovative solutions to current or preventing future problems. Investments made by Microsoft, Boeing, IBM, Intel, and Cisco Systems, just to name a few, have allowed other companies to create, market, and launch innovative products and services that millions, or perhaps billions, of people use daily.

GE is one such company that has created a fund to support healthcare technology companies. On October 21, 2009, GE announced "the formation of the 'GE Healthymagination Fund', a new equity fund that will make investments in highly promising healthcare technology companies. The fund will invest in companies globally that have innovative diagnostic, IT, and life sciences technologies aligned with the strategic objectives of GE's Healthymagination initiative. The fund will also support healthcare companies developing innovative and unique business models and services."

Furthermore, according to the Fairfield, Connecticut-based company, "The formation of the fund is part of GE’s $6 billion Healthymagination initiative, a global commitment to deliver better healthcare to more people at lower cost." Creating a global footprint, the fund will draw on capabilities from across GE Healthcare, GE Capital and GE Global Research. Moreover, the fund will target three areas for investment:

• Broad-based Diagnostics, including imaging, home health, patient monitoring, molecular diagnostics, pathology, novel imaging agents and other technologies for disease diagnosis;
• Healthcare Information Technology, including electronic medical records, clinical information systems, healthcare information exchanges and value-added data services; and
• Life Sciences, including tools for research and development in biopharmaceuticals and stem cells, and technologies for manufacturing of biopharmaceuticals and vaccines; and

Here is an advertisement for GE Healthymagination:

Cloud Computing: Revolutionizing the Way People Access Hosted Services

This is the first of several entries that will address the topic of "cloud computing." According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), "Cloud computing is a model for enabling convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources (e.g., networks, servers, storage, applications, and services) that can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort or service provider interaction."

In other words, cloud computing is a general term for anything that involves delivering hosted services, over the Internet and the name cloud computing was inspired by the cloud symbol that is often used to represent the Internet in flow charts and diagrams. Hosted services include software (word processing, spreadsheets, presentation slides, etc.) that you would have ordinarily purchased a hard-copy or downloaded through an online vendor. From across a variety of sectors including government, nonprofit, academic, and the private sector, cloud computing will revolutionize the way people access software and Internet services.

Even the U.S. government is engaging in the benefits of cloud computing. On September 15, 2009, the Obama Administration "announced the launch of the General Services Administration's (GSA) cloud storefront Apps.gov. This online storefront enhances how the government leverages technology by enabling federal agencies to acquire and purchase cloud computing services in an efficient, effective manner." Furthermore, according to GSA's press release, "The new Apps.gov, a one-stop shop to purchase cloud computing services, is part of the government's push to improve the cost-effectiveness of IT services and sustainability of IT infrastructure. It is one element of a multi-pronged cloud computing program that is addressing not only acquisition, but also related policy, security, training, coordination, architecture and standards....Apps.gov will also offer free social media and web 2.0 tools such as wikis and blogs to federal agencies."

Here is a brief list of the features and benefits of cloud computing as provided by Apps.gov:

• Significant Cost Reduction: Cloud computing is available at a fraction of the cost of traditional IT services, eliminating upfront capital expenditures and dramatically reducing administrative burden on IT resources;
• Increased Flexibility: Cloud computing provides on-demand computing across technologies, business solutions and large ecosystems of providers, reducing time to implement new solutions from months to days;
• Access anywhere: You are no longer tethered to a single computer or network. You can change computers or move to portable devices, and your existing applications and documents follow you through the cloud;
• Elastic scalability and pay-as-you-go: Add and subtract capacity as your needs change. Pay for only what you use;
• Easy to implement: You do not need to purchase hardware, software licenses or implementation services;
• Service quality: Cloud service providers offer reliable services, large storage and computing capacity, and 24/7 service and up-time;
• Delegate non-critical applications: Cloud computing provides a way to outsource non-critical applications to service providers, allowing agency IT resources to focus on business-critical applications;
• Always the latest software: You are no longer faced with choosing between obsolete software and high upgrade costs. When the applications are web-based, updates are automatic and are available the next time you log into the cloud; and
• Sharing documents and group collaboration: Cloud computing lets you access all your applications and documents from anywhere in the world, freeing you from the confines of the desktop and facilitating group collaboration on documents and projects.

Cloud computing is the platform of the (near) future and this blog will address other forms, products, services and benefits of cloud computing. I will also discuss the benefits cloud computing provide in bridging the digital divide in developing nations and thus, promoting sustainable social and economic development.

Shelterbox: Providing Immediate Relief to Victims of Natural and Other Disasters

I recently attended a STAR-TIDES research demonstration at the Pentagon, located just outside of Washington, D.C. STAR-TIDES is an acronym for Sustainable Technologies, Accelerated Research-Transportable Infrastructures for Development and Emergency Support, which is geared to organize inexpensive and effective solutions for humanitarian emergencies or post-war reconstruction. Several companies demonstrated fascinating technological products, which have an immediate impact in the developing world or in any humanitarian emergency. One such product is the Shelterbox, a large, rugged, green plastic container that holds a 10-person tent and a range of other equipment necessary in providing immediate relief to victims of natural and other disasters anywhere around the world.

Lakewood Ranch, Florida-based Shelterbox USA, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that provide victims of disaster with shelter and oversees the assembly and delivery of the Shelterbox. For disclosure purposes, this post is not a public endorsement of Shelterbox USA but a review of the Shelterbox and its components.

The nonproft organization explains, "Shelterboxes are sponsored by service clubs, (Rotary Clubs), school and church groups, businesses and individuals, etc. Materials are ordered from a range of suppliers selected for general use, long-life, quality and price. Shelterboxes are prepared and packed using all new materials as delivered from manufacturers, at the Shelterbox warehouse based in Helston, Cornwall. The standard Shelterbox weighs 110 lbs. and has approximate dimensions 2'3" x 1'4" x 11". They are sealed and banded for transit and security. Box contents vary depending on the nature of the disaster requiring their use. Boxes are sometimes packed with two 10-person tents in them, (to the exclusion of some smaller items, to maximize shelter capacity)."

Some of the selected items that are available for inclusion in the Shelterbox are:

• One 49 gallon box (The Shelterbox) initially the container for delivery of the materials listed below. Once delivered, can be used as water tank, food store, cot, table, etc.;
• One ten-person tent, including two fabric interior privacy partitions, outer fly-sheet and repair kit. These tents are considered 'winter suitable' by international relief standards;
• Vinyl insulated sleeping mats and lightweight thermal blankets. More compact than sleeping bags, these mats and blankets have multiple uses. The blanket can also be fashioned to catch water, as a tarp, etc. while the mat also serves as a ground 'table' for meals, or tent rugs;
• One pack of 180 water purification tablets or a water purification kit; and one 5 gallon flat-pack water container (each tablet will purify a full container of water providing 1,800 gallons of clean drinking water, which should be sufficient for a family of ten for up to three months);
• Two 2.1 gallon, collapsible, plastic water carriers;
• One collapsible trenching shovel;
• Rope, 164 foot;
• Repellant-treated mosquito netting;
• Ten PVC Ponchos/ten HD plastic bags;
• Tool kit in canvas bag: hachet, jack-knife, screwdriver, hammer, hoe head etc.;
• Multi-fueled cook stove;
• Eating utensils: enamel plates/cups; and
• Children's activity kit-simple school supplies, stickers and coloring book.

The contents are under continuous review. A small stock of wind-up radios (short-wave and FM) has been obtained to substitute a sleeping bag in every tenth box should such a requirement arise. For shipping purposes, a large container (40 feet) can accommodate up to 240 Shelterboxes, smaller containers would typically be half the size and quantities. The Shelterbox is designed to enable a family of up to ten people survive for at least six months. (Photo from Myanmar courtesy of Shelterbox USA)

According to the nonprofit's website, the first 140 Shelterboxes were sent to Gujarat in India following a devastating earthquake in 2001. Since then, ShelterBox has responded to more than 80 disasters in over 50 countries, sending out nearly 75,000 boxes worldwide – providing emergency accommodation for more than 500,000 disaster victims.

U.S. Energy Department Supports Solar Energy Technologies with $87 Million Investment

On October 8, 2009, United States Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Steven Chu "announced up to $87 million will be made available to support the development of new solar energy technologies and the rapid deployment of available carbon-free solar energy systems. Of this funding, $50 million comes from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The 47 projects with universities, electric power utilities, DOE's National Laboratories, and local governments have been selected to support use of solar technologies in U.S. cities, help address technical challenges, ensure reliable connectivity with the electrical grid, and train a new generation of solar workers to install and maintain solar energy systems."

While I am concerned with the expansive spending created under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, I am encouraged to see investments made in developing solar energy technologies. As I have written in this blog, clean tech research and development is quickly becoming a driving force in the American economy.

DOE's press release further explains, "The selected projects will help accelerate the commercialization of solar technologies in an effort to achieve cost-competitive solar electricity by 2015, in addition to developing advanced solar technologies for the future. Projects focus on both technology improvements and the elimination of market barriers to help make solar electricity accessible to a wide variety of consumers."

The projects selected for negotiation of awards are in four categories:

• High Penetration Solar Deployment. Seven projects will model, test, and evaluate the impact of large amounts of photovoltaic (PV) electricity on the reliability and stability of the electric power system. These projects will help pave the way for broader adoption and growth of grid-tied solar energy systems by improving understanding of the impact of PV electricity on the grid;
• Solar America Cities Special Projects. As the load centers of energy use across the nation, cities play a strategic role in accelerating solar technology adoption at the local level. Sixteen cities have been selected for projects that will address specific barriers to solar adoption in urban settings and support innovative approaches that can be widely replicated. Many cities will use this funding for multiple efforts;
• Solar Installer Training. Nine colleges, universities, and local organizations have been selected to lead regional solar installation "train-the-trainer" programs. The projects will support a national ramp-up and coordinated network of training programs. This funding will help address the critical needs for qualified solar energy system installers; and
• Research projects at DOE National Laboratories. Fifteen projects at DOE National Laboratories will seek to improve technologies, devices and processes for both the PV and Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) industry. PV projects focus on development of next generation devices and processes, as well as supply chain technologies for the entire PV system. CSP projects focus on improved energy storage technologies to enable consistent and reliable energy generation.

Win $10,000 in "Apps for Innovation" Contest

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)®, an Arlington, Virginia-based trade association promoting growth in the $172 billion U.S. consumer electronics industry, "launched the new Innovation Movement 'Apps for Innovation' contest and opened an online portal for submissions of software applications for judging by a panel of industry experts. The grand prize winner will receive $10,000 and a free trip to the 2010 International CES®" in Las Vegas, Nevada from January 7-10.

According the CEA's press release dated October 7, 2009, "The contest is looking for developers to build apps that demonstrate how innovation and entrepreneurship are making an economic impact in the United States. The contest will also accept submissions from developers that create apps to help consumers advance policy goals that support innovation."

Furthermore, "The contest is part of the Innovation Movement, the grassroots campaign launched in June by CEA to mobilize Americans in support of public policies such as broadband, alternative energies and international trade that will play a key role in the global economic recovery and U.S. job creation. The mission of the Innovation Movement is to encourage the U.S. government to reward innovation and investment and support policies that foster entrepreneurship in a free-market system. More than 35,000 Americans have already joined the Innovation Movement."

Applications must qualify in one of two categories: apps that illuminate with data how innovation and entrepreneurial activity are at work across America or apps that will help the members of the Innovation Movement advance policy goals that support innovation. Contestants may choose any application platform such as client applications, web-based applications, Java applications, applications for Facebook, the Apple iPhone, the Android phone, etc. Lastly, membership of the Innovation Movement, which is free to join, is required for all contestants. Developers may submit more than one application, but can win only once.

CEA's press release further explains that "in addition to the grand prize winner, judges will award a second place of $5,000 and a third place of $3,500. The best apps will be included in the 'Apps for Innovation' library, where apps will be available for free to the public as a way to help them learn about the innovation economy." The following is the list of judges:

• Leslie Harris, president and CEO, the Center for Democracy and Technology;
• John Zogby, president and CEO, Zogby International;
• Michael Masnick, founder & CEO, Floor64, and editor, Techdirt blog;
• Jonah Seiger, co-founder and managing partner, Connections Media; and
• Michael Petricone, senior vice president of Government Affairs, CEA

Judging criteria will include:

• Potential for furthering the mission of the Innovation Movement;
• Potential usability of the app for participatory democracy;
• Originality of the app; and
• Usefulness to constituents for advocating positive economic, scientific and technological change with their members of Congress.

Submissions must be received before midnight Pacific Standard Time on November 6, 2009 and winners will be announced on November 10, 2009 at a CES Press Event in New York City. For those of you who will be submitting an application for the contest, I invite you to describe your application in the comment section below.