IDEAS to irritate your thinking......

This blog provides a platform for ideas and discussions on critical issues of our time.

Submissions by request

Famine: a renewed threat in the 21st century?

By Phyllis Ressler | June 25, 2025

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AID Cuts and Challenges in International Cooperation

By Phyllis Ressler | June 18, 2025

Aid cuts and challenges in International Cooperation.The modern system of international cooperation began to take shape in the 1960s, during the era ofdecolonization and newly gained independence for many nations. Through their Official DevelopmentAssistance (ODA), developed countries started providing financial, technical, and operational support toless-developed nations in their journey toward modernization.Initially centered on "economic growth,"…

Topic Ideas

By Phyllis Ressler | June 18, 2025

Hi All,   Some potential responses to Angela’s ideas.   Early Warning & Information – Why Data Matters Core Message: “Data saves lives. Early warnings aren’t just numbers—they’re lifelines.” 90s Angle: Tell the story of one farmer or family who avoided catastrophe thanks to a weather or crop alert. Hook: “What would you do if…

Global Alerts – notes

By Phyllis Ressler | June 18, 2025

Global Alerts – Good Things in Bad Situation – Did you know? Ideas for topics for short radio spots   Humanitarian Topics                                                    Country/situation                        First contact? Community response to conflict DRC? Response to food shortage/famine Sudan – Gaza – Ethiopia? Response to health needs/Illness Response to education Response to unaccompanied children Response displacement/refugee Rohingya? Response…

HDPI Compass – Pitch Deck

By Phyllis Ressler | June 18, 2025

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CONCEPT NOTE

By Phyllis Ressler | June 18, 2025

HDPI, Inc, JMU, WMRA Proposed Program “Being Human” Raising awareness of our common humanity in crisis situations Zero Draft 4, 5 May – ER/PR ProposedProposed: A four component initiative to raise public awareness of global humanitarian needsand constructive efforts to meet them: “Did you know?” service radio spots (30,60 or 90seconds) that share key facts…

Migration

By Phyllis Ressler | June 18, 2025

Global Migration   Migration is a hot button issue, frequently in the news, but migration-related terms and trends are widely misunderstood.   Migrant is a general term that refers to anyone who moves from one place of residence to another with the intention of staying for an extended period of time. Counter to the globalization…

Forced Displacement

By Phyllis Ressler | June 18, 2025

Forced Displacement   You’ve probably heard the terms refugee, asylum seeker, and IDP. But what do they really mean?   A refugee is someone who’s been forced to flee their home country due to war or violent persecution. They’ve been recognized—usually by the United Nations or a national government—as qualifying for international legal protection, known…

Women in Conflict Zones

By Phyllis Ressler | June 18, 2025

Women in conflict zones: Sudan Story: What has been happening in Sudan and how have the women there been responding?   On April 15, 2023, conflict broke out between two armed groups the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). This came about because of political tensions that had been developing since…

Democratic Republic of Congo

By Phyllis Ressler | June 18, 2025

Democratic Republic of Congo: (DRC)   Did you know? -The DRC is second-largest country in Africa (after Algeria) and largest country in sub-Saharan Africa. -It has an estimated population of 103.5 million, making it the fourth most populous country in Africa after Nigeria (225.8 million), Ethiopia (127.7 million), and Egypt (113.3 million). -The capital city, Kinshasa…

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