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Oral history interview with John "Jack" Richardson, conducted by Jennifer Payne on 4 October 2013, as part of the Norwich Voices oral history project of the Sullivan Museum and History Center. Jack Richardson was a member of the Norwich University Class of 1963. His interview includes a discussion of his experiences as a student at Norwich University, especially the influence of faculty members, Jack Brownfield, Father Sutfin, and Loring Hart; also discussed in detail is his family history, personal philosophy, and experiences as a volunteer in the Peace Corps in Ghana.

A new open data platform will accelerate robust and comprehensive research in the agricultural sectorThis post was written by Jenna Fahle (CEGA), Radhika Goyal (UCSD), Vinny Armentano (UCSD), and Craig McIntosh (UCSD).Introduction to the ATAI Data PortalSince 2009, the Agricultural Technology Adoption Initiative (ATAI), co-managed by the Center for Effective Global Action (CEGA) and the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL), has generated robust evidence of the impacts of agricultural technologies, such as stress-tolerant rice or mobile-phone based agricultural extension, on small-scale farmer welfare. Today, ATAI launched a new open data platform to bring together the best evidence from ATAI-funded research in a single portal, making it easily accessible to researchers and policymakers alike. The initiative aims to foster collaboration and evidence-informed decision-making in the agricultural sector, ultimately contributing to the advancement of the most effective agricultural practices and improving farmer welfare.Why make data open?Access to high-quality data has long been recognized as a significant obstacle in social science research. To address this issue, data repositories like the J-PAL Dataverse have emerged, making it easier for researchers, policymakers, and others to access and utilize data from completed research studies. In recent times, the effectiveness of these data repositories has been bolstered by data sharing policies put into place by funders, journals, and research organizations. UC Berkeley's Initiative for Transparency in the Social Sciences (BITSS) — incubated at CEGA — champions these and other open data approaches as a standard practice that promotes transparency and reproducibility of evidence, strengthening the scientific ecosystem and bolstering the credibility of research findings.The ATAI Data Portal goes beyond the principles of open data by incorporating data harmonization. Data harmonization involves the collection of data from various sources or, in the case of ATAI, a research portfolio, in a manner that ensures users have a comprehensive and comparable view of the information.Harmonized data holds tremendous value for researchers aiming to extract insights from multiple studies. In the past, researchers had to collect datasets from various sources, investing valuable time in cleaning and integrating the data. Often, the unavailability of raw data hindered such comparisons, and the resulting publicly available data lacked sufficient information for meaningful analyses. However, researchers now have a powerful tool at their disposal. With the ATAI Data Portal, they can access harmonized data, enabling them to conduct meta-analyses and explore the external validity and generalizability of research results more efficiently and effectively. This transformative platform opens up new avenues for robust and comprehensive research in the agricultural sector.The ATAI Data Portal also improves the richness and quality of datasets from ATAI-funded projects in several ways. For instance, a number of ATAI-funded studies contain georeferencing, or latitude and longitude coordinates for agricultural fields, households, or study administrative boundaries. When geographic coordinates are available, the ATAI Data Portal overlays the project dataset with environmental variables — such as temperature, precipitation, night lights, and forest cover –- to expand the richness and utility of the data. (Many predictive models rely on this kind of information as ground truth data.)To maintain the anonymity of the surveyed population, the data linkage employs industry-standard geo-masking techniques. By implementing these measures, the ATAI Data portal ensures that the privacy and confidentiality of the participants are preserved while providing valuable insights into the relationships between agricultural practices and environmental factors.During the data harmonization process, meticulous data cleaning is carried out to ensure data integrity. This includes harmonizing units, eliminating negative values, and removing duplicate records as part of the harmonization effort. These measures contribute to the overall reliability and consistency of the data made available through the ATAI Data portal, fostering more robust and trustworthy research outcomes.Thus, the ATAI Data Portal offers a novel approach in that it features high-quality, harmonized data integrated with environmental variables in an open and accessible format."This portal is a first step in an effort to allow datasets from randomized controlled trials to be put to a broader set of uses. By harmonizing core agricultural variables to the fullest extent possible as well as providing broad access to raw data, the portal will allow the research community to aggregate across studies and geographies in a way not possible in any single study." — Craig McIntosh, ATAI Co-Chair and Professor of Economics at UCSDATAI-data.org launched with seventeen datasets based in Bangladesh, Ghana, Ethiopia, India, Kenya, Mozambique, Uganda, and Zambia. The portal will continue to grow as more research teams complete and submit their datasets to ATAI.What comes next?The ATAI Data Portal is a public good that will increase in volume and value over time as more open datasets from ATAI become available and more researchers make use of it. The ATAI Data Portal is open-source and freely available.ATAI has seized an opportunity to institutionalize harmonized, open data and further standardize data collection for agricultural randomized evaluations — making every research step count. We hope that this model is an encouraging approach and tool for researchers working to evaluate the effectiveness of agricultural development programs.For more information and for portal documentation, please visit atai-data.org.Making every research step count: Introducing the ATAI Data Portal was originally published in CEGA on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

CHAPTER 1 It has been intensively and controversially discussed whether 'good' economic policies and governance in the recipient countries render foreign aid more effective in alleviating poverty and stimulating economic growth. By contrast, the question of whether aid recipient countries would benefit from stronger income effects if foreign donors provided higher quality aid has received scant attention so far. In Chapter 1, we make use of the index of donor performance from the Center for Global Development to compare the effects of quality-adjusted aid and unadjusted aid on changes in GDP per capita. Our difference-in-differences analysis reveals significant and quantitatively important treatment effects for quality-adjusted aid after the introduction of the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness in 2005, while we do not find significant treatment effects for unadjusted aid. This implies that only recipient countries with increased aid inflows of high quality benefit in terms of increasing GDP per capita. The quality of aid matters most when accounting for delayed effects. However, our results depend on the sample of recipient countries. CHAPTER 2 Over 300 government members have had the main responsibility for international development cooperation in 23 member countries of the OECD's Development Assistance Committee since the organization started reporting detailed ODA data in 1967. Understanding their role in foreign aid giving is crucial since their decisions can influence aid effectiveness and thus economic development on the ground. Chapter 2 examines whether development ministers' personal characteristics are associated with aid budgets and aid quality. To this end, we create a novel database on development ministers' gender, political ideology, prior professional experience in development cooperation, education, and time in office over the 1967-2012 period. Results from fixed-effects panel regressions show that some of the personal characteristics of development ministers matter. Most notably, we find that more experienced ministers with respect to their time in the development office obtain larger aid budgets. Moreover, our results suggest that female ministers as well as officeholders with prior professional experience in development cooperation and a longer time in office provide higher-quality ODA. CHAPTER 3 The bulk of IFC lending benefits companies from rich countries, and projects in countries with middle income. Large conglomerates such as Lidl or Mövenpick have been among its direct beneficiaries. This contrasts to some extent with the IFC's official mandate, which is to finance poverty-reducing projects for which private capital is not available on reasonable terms. In Chapter 3, we investigate the drivers of this mismatch. According to our theory, the governments of industrialized countries where borrowing companies are based form coalitions with governments of middle-income countries where the projects are implemented. We therefore expect preferential treatment to be most pronounced when the representatives of both the recipient's and the company's countries are best able to collude in exerting their influence. We argue that this will be the case when both countries' governments are represented among the IFC's Board of Executive Directors, and when they have extraordinary clout with major IFC shareholders. Using data for more than 3,000 IFC projects over the 1995-2015 period we show that the (joint) influence of these countries helps them to receive a disproportional share of IFC funding. CHAPTER 4 The success of development interventions crucially depends on their uptake in the targeted population. We investigate incentives for uptake of those interventions, making use of a framework grounded in psychological theory, "The Theory of Planned Behavior". The framework suggests three determinants for intervention uptake: personal attitudes, the social influence of important others and the perceived ease of intervention use. We use the setup of two randomized controlled trials in Indonesia and Pakistan to test the theory for development intervention purposes. Our findings show that the proposed determinants are indeed associated with increased uptake. We investigate further on the determinant personal attitudes, which is most relevant to our intervention, by conducting a framed field experiment in Indonesia. The experiment shows that the study population in the Indonesian context exhibits higher levels of support for the project if the participation of international actors is highlighted. Consequently, our results encourage international research and development cooperation, first, to consider the determinants suggested by the "Theory of Planned Behavior" in the design of projects in order to increase intervention uptake. Second, depending on the country context, explicitly framing international participation in the conducted project might be a cost-effective way to increase supportive behavior towards the intervention. CHAPTER 5 This chapter assesses the impact of impact evaluations based on impact evaluation studies in developmental health interventions, collected through the International Initiative for Impact Evaluation's repository. Considering the steady increase in impact evaluations and financial resources already spent, policy and research are demanding evidence on whether the growing effort indeed leads to learning, improved projects and finally, improved outcomes. I analyze this empirical question for the period 1995-2014 in a cross-country panel for general health outcomes and at a sub-national level for the country Uganda with regard to infant mortality rates per districts. Results are very robust and show a significant correlation between impact evaluations in health and improved outcomes on a cross-country level. Based on more precise data measurement and linkages, also sub-national findings indicate that impact evaluations in maternal and neonatal health conditional on increased corresponding ODA disbursements lead to reduced infant mortality.

Preface With an estimated 5.6 million people living with HIV in 2009, South Africa's epidemic remains the largest in the world (UNAIDS, 2010). It is approximated that 40million South Africans depend on traditional medicine for their primary health care needs and regularly visit Traditional Health Practitioners (THPs). Patients often move freely between traditional and allopathic systems of medicine. In fact, up to 90% of people living with HIV and AIDS first consult THPs before visiting practitioners of allopathic medicine. Thus THPs bear the brunt of the HIV and AIDS epidemic. With this in mind it became necessary to convene a conference where the potential contribution of traditional medicine in the fight against HIV and AIDS could be objectively assessed. It also facilitated learning and sharing experienses from practitioners, researchers, governments and NGOs/or funders that have advanced in integrating traditional medicine in HIV and AIDS. The conference covered four key priority areas in accordance with the National Strategic Plan for HIV and AIDS and STI: prevention; treatment, care and support; research, monitoring and surveillance; and financing. The Conference was titled "Traditional medicine in the era and HIV/AIDS in South Africa" and held at the International Convention Centre, Durban between 28th to 30th July 2010. This historic conference, funded by PEPFAR/CDC South Africa, was attended by more than 1500 delegates from South Africa, Belgium, Botswana, Cameroon, China, Lesotho, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, United States of America, and Zambia. On each day there were 200 high school learners and 200 community members in attendance. In addition there were researchers, CAM practitioners, donors, doctors, nurses, THPs, policy makers, and members of the media. It was organised in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology, the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government and the University of KwaZulu-Natal and had the support of the Department of Health, the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) and the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) among others. National Parliament was represented by members of the Health and, Science and Technology Portfolio Committees, respectively. National government departments in attendance included Health, Science and Technology, and Trade and Industry. All provinces of South Africa were represented with the exception of Northern and Western Cape provinces. The House of Traditional Leaders and Local Government were represented by Her Majesty, Queen of LinduZulu, local chiefs, Mayors and Councilors. The US Government (PEPFAR) was represented by the Health Attaché in the US Embassy, US Consul General in Durban, PEPFAR Liaison Officer (KZN) and CDC (South Africa). A call for abstracts was published in 3 major national newspapers and on the internet on a number of websites. Abstract themes had to fit within the strategic areas of the National Strategic Plan for HIV/AIDS/TB. The conference received more than 70 abstracts, reviewed by a panel of national and international experts. About 50 abstracts were accepted for oral presentation and 12 as posters. Additional speakers from the 7 provincial departments of health and 7 Provincial AIDS Council THP sector representatives informed the conference on their programmes. The Department of Science and Technology and the Technology Innovation Agency shared their plans and strategies for research and development of traditional medicines in South Africa. The conference was primarily abstract-driven. Abstract contents were either research-based data using established scientific methods or demonstrated experience and information from individuals or institutions working in the field in the form of case studies or case presentations. The non-abstract-driven components of the conference addressed a variety of current viewpoints and issues including government programmes, interactive case-based sessions, and satellite symposia. The television and print media broadcasted the proceedings of the conference. Selected speakers and delegates were interviewed live. Highlights The highlights of the conference included the following: 1. South Africa could demonstrate its capacity to carry out world class clinical trials on traditional medicine. 2. Provincial Governments and Provincial AIDS Councils shared their plans and strategies to include traditional medicine in their implementations plans. 3. Traditional Health Practitioners were in full support of integrating HIV Counseling and Testing, Traditional or Medical Male Circumcision, and other national strategies in their practices but required support and capacitation for HIV testing. 4. It is necessary to intensify research on traditional medicines since a number of HIV positive patients who do not qualify for antiretroviral therapy choose them. 5. There were best practice projects promoting collaboration between traditional health practitioners and public health care workers in the fight against HIV/AIDS. 6. The media will continue to report positive and negative aspects of traditional medicine 7. The Department of Science and Technology funds the most research on indigenous knowledge systems including traditional medicines in South Africa. 8. The USA remains the largest foreign funder of HIV research and programmes on traditional medicine. This special edition carries some of the scientific papers presented at the conference. Professor Nceba Gqaleni, Chair of the Traditional Medicine in the Era of HIV and AIDS Conference Dr Vusi Shongwe, Director: Heritage, Office of the Premier, KwaZulu-Natal Government and Professor Yonah Seleti, Chief Director: National Indigenous Knowledge Systems Office, Department of Science and Technology Co-Chairpersons of the Traditional Medicine in the Era of HIV and AIDS Conference.

European Tropical Forest Research Network (ETFRN) Newsletter No.12 December 1994 Code Number: NL95003 Size of File: Text: 87.6K No associated graphics files ETFRN-News is a quarterly publication of the European Tropical Forest Research Network; free copies can be obtained from: European Tropical Forest Research Network (ETFRN) c/o ATSAF e.V. Ellerstr. 50 D-53119 Bonn, Germany Tel.:+49-228-98 46-16 Fax:+49-228-98 46-99 Editor: Horst Freiberg Editorial Coordination and Design: Monika Reule Editorial Assistant: Isabel von Grapow Iwokrama International Rainforest Programme (IIRFP) - Guyana The Government of Guyana took an unique initiative at the 1989 meeting of the Heads of the Commonwealth Governments in Kuala Lumpur. It offered approximately 400,000 hectares of virgin/unexploited Amazonian forests in the central part of Guyana - a country which still retains forest cover over 80 percent of its land mass. The main objectives of the Programme are to preserve biodiversity, conduct research leading to sustainable and equitable use of tropical rain forest resources, and integrate environmental and development concerns in the operational plans which could be applied to similar situations on a national, regional and even global scale. International Network for the Availability of Scientific Publications The International Network for the Availability of Scientific Publications (INASP) is a project of the International Council of Scientific Unions (ICSU) supported by the EC and UNESCO. The African Coffee Research Network (ACRN) In the face of an unfavourable environment with adverse effects on the economies of African coffee producing countries, the Inter-African Coffee Organisation (IACO), jointly with the the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) and the support of the EU, decided to reinforce African coffee rehabilitation programmes by setting up the African Coffee Research network - ACRN in March 1993. Objectives and Activities of the Third World Network of Scientific Organisations The Third World Network of Scientific Organizations (TWNSO) is a non-governmental organization, founded in 1988 by 15 Ministers of Science and Technology and Higher Education and 30 Heads of Science Academies and Research Councils from 36 Developing Countries, to promote (a) science-based economic development of the Third World, and (b) cooperation among the nations of the South in areas of Science and Technology critical to their sustainable development. CEBIOS/FUNBOSPRI are looking for project partners in Costa Rica The Foundation for Primary Forest Protection - FUNBOSPRI (see also Newsletter No. 9) and the Osa Centre for Biological Studies (CEBIOS SA) (see also Newsletter No. 8), are trying to implement a programme on Sustainable Development for Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica. Collaborative Allelopathy Research in Tropical Agroforestry Allelopathic interactions between trees and crops in agroforestry systems (AFS) play a major role in their productivity. However, very little information is available. It has been reported that based on allelopathy, highly productive and sustainable AFS could be developed. The International Allelopathy Society intends to submit two transnational multidisciplinary collaborative projects for funding to the European Commission. NEWS 1st Technical Advisory Committee Meeting of ETFRN Tropical Forestry Research under the Fourth Framework Programme ETFRN Expert Groups ETFRN is establishing five expert groups related to tropical forest research aspects. The topics have been identified in accordance to their importance to the European Commission's 4th Research Framework Programme. Electronic Access to Water Quality and Agriculture Information The Water Quality Information Center at the National Agricultural Library (NAL), Beltsville, Maryland/USA, provides a variety of information electronically both through an electronic bulletin board system and through a gopher server on Internet. Publications Directory of Tropical Forest Research Organisations in Europe Capacity Building in Forestry Research in Africa S.L. Kwaje and F.B. Mwaura (eds.). 1994. Proceedings of the First International Workshop on Capacity Building in Forestry Research in Africa, Kampala, Uganda, 9-11 November 1992. African Academy of Sciences. Nairobi, Kenya. 115 p. ISBN: 9966-831-154-2. Modelling Deforestation Processes Eric F. Lambin. 1994. Modelling Deforestation Processes: A Review. TREES Tropical Ecosystem Environment Observations by Satellites, TREES series B: Research Report No. 1. pp. 128. No: CL-NA-15744-EN-C. European Commission, Directorate-General XIII, Information Technologies and Industries, and Telecommunications, L-2920 Luxembourg. Sustainable Management of the Tropical High Forest of Ghana E.A. Prah. 1994. Sustainable Management of the Tropical High Forest of Ghana. The Commonwealth Forestry Initiative, Vol. 3. Commonwealth Secretariat. London, United Kingdom. 73 p. No ISBN. Timber Trees: Commercial Timbers I. Soerianegara and R.H.M.J. Lemmens (eds.). 1993. PROSEA No. 5(1). Timber Trees: Major Commercial Timbers. PUDOC Scientfic Publishers. Wageningen, The Netherlands. 610 p. ISBN: 90-220-1033-3. The OLIVIA Programme The Olivia Programme: Operational Low-cost Integrated Vital Information Access. Mission Report. 1994. Da Vinci Consulting S.A. Belgium. 59 p. No ISBN. Vacancy Announcements ICRAF: Regional Coordinator for Latin America WCMC: Four posts in Forestry Sector Forest Programme Manager (Ref. No. 1) Trees Information Coordinator (Ref. No. 2) CIFOR Liaison Officer (Ref. No. 3) Research Officer (Ref. No. 4) ETFRN National Nodes ETFRN - International Agenda CONFERENCES Workshops Training Courses