TED Talks Daily To end extreme poverty, give cash — not advice | Rory Stewart
15 snips
Sep 11, 2024 
Rory Stewart, a former UK MP and expert in international aid, argues that traditional philanthropy may be harming the poor. He reveals how ineffective aid programs often misallocate funds and advocates for a radical shift to unconditional cash transfers. Stewart illustrates the transformative power of cash in alleviating poverty with compelling case studies, including one from Rwanda. He emphasizes how these cash transfers not only improve health and education but also empower individuals to make their own choices, challenging conventional aid paradigms.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Sanitation Project Failure
- Rory Stewart visited a project in East Africa aimed at reducing poverty by addressing young women's sanitation needs.
- The project, which cost $40,000, resulted in only two holes in the ground and five buckets.
Cash Transfer Success in Rwanda
- In Rwanda, Stewart observed an NGO giving unconditional cash transfers to people in poverty.
- This seemingly simple approach led to significant improvements in living conditions, education, and healthcare.
Why Cash Transfers Work
- Cash transfers are effective because people in poverty often have the knowledge but lack the capital to implement their ideas.
- They also empower individuals to make their own choices, leading to greater ownership and sustainability.