Foreign Aid: Are we really helping others or just ourselves? | Maliha Chishti | TEDxUTSC

Maliha Chishti speaks at a 2016 TEDx event in Toronto.
Dr. Maliha Chishti is a researcher specializing in war and post-conflict peacebuilding. As the former director of the Hague Appeal for Peace at the United Nations, Maliha helped to initiate the historic Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security. Her work on this landmark resolution was recognized by the University of Toronto’s ‘Great Minds’ alumni campaign. Maliha implemented one of the first training and capacity-building programs for women in post-conflict Afghanistan and served as the Social Impact Consultant for Canada’s first and largest ‘signature’ aid project in Kandahar Afghanistan. She is currently working on a book manuscript entitled Decolonizing Peacebuilding: Lessons Afghanistan.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

[@stephanep.rousseau7728]

After 35 years of "aid work", I certainly agree with that stance. The next step though, after people realize this quasi-neocolonialism we are in, is to better understand how we got there, and how we can now break that vicious circle. So many people are gaining from that exploitation of the poor countries. One first thing would be to let those nations choose their own good leaders, and when they have the latter, rich nations not to assassinate them. This s all the more challenging that politicians anywhere belong to the same "world class elite" that is likely to accept the statu quo, since it is the latter that set them in the place they are. The situation is extremely complex and involves history, international relations, economy, trades, social, cultural, societal and religious contexts, etc. The only way to break that destructing dynamic is to REVERSE it entirely, that is, turn the VICIOUS circle onto a VIRTUOUS circle. It can be done little by little with people humble and aware enough. To paraphrase Maliha Chishti's last statement, I would also quote the Mahatma Gandhi""Be the change you want to see".

[@altheaequatorin1179]

what a beautiful comment! thank you.

[@patrickbonacoscia5736]

Foreign aid is nothing but foreign policy in disguise. It is about keeping nations under control so we can plunder their ressources. As you said it is quasi-neocolonialism.

[@josephmoela2960]

you are a great man sir ...commenting from Africa...we are exploited my heart bleeds.

[@natashanonnattive4818]

I enjoyed your comment, I heard ghandi was treated badly

[@marvinhare]

Their is a way out, for all people on this planet, EDUCATION.

[@Nurthecat]

Such a powerful and important talk...so glad I came across it, with foreign aid taking over so many projects in the middle east and Europe to address the refugee crisis of the Syrian civil war, she tackles so many of the issues that are lost on many "I think that the reason why we can't help vulnerable communities in the world, is because our interventions are more about us; a celebration of who we are and who we think we are. when the west engages with other societies especially non-western ones it's trying to find a glimpse of itself, it's looking for western values, ideals, and principles, and when it can't find them it sets up an aid relationship that has very little to do with helping others, and more to do with disciplining them, reforming them to become more like us, western, capitalists liberal democratic states."

[@Sherjan0077]

I am really impressed from her soft spoken style with profound knowledge about topic. I feel that i really learn something new....love from Afghanistan

[@volkanozkose5632]

She need to be heard more

[@aishitapramanik5628]

Fully agree with you!!

[@chinocracy]

Great explanation by someone who's actually been on the ground. She exposes the hubris of some people and groups. They believe their ways are superior that they should force these ways on others. All for ego. That's what causes a lot of problems in the world.

[@nothondebele5435]

Assignment too

[@rudraakram3879]

​@happy little trees 239 they better acknowledge how to help properly.

[@MateoKupstysChica]

As a Colombian and anthropologist, I can tell you this: Do you want to help us? then come with the intent of learning from us, not to teach us. We might need your cooperation, but it wont work if you aint interested honestly in learning form us... and therefore from yourselves.

[@Nurthecat]

Another powerful quote: "We should begin by shifting the way we that perceive and construct third world societies and states, understanding them by how they define themselves, not by our labels about them, to build aid relations that is based on their identified strengths and capacities not our assessment of their failures and weaknesses"

[@mahdishurrab1077]

I am a young man, I am 25 years old, and I love a girl and I want to marry her, but my financial circumstances do not allow me to complete this marriage, because I do not have a job that secures the marriage obligations for me. Can you help me?🥺

[@ngainaing7321]

Am I the only to come across with this for my assignments.

[@weirdo9479]

I too

[@ngainaing7321]

@@weirdo9479 Really glad to know you are on the same board

[@dang9313]

I came here for my research.

[@bilalhassan8256]

Who read “ fixing failed states “ book by ashraf ghani

[@omariweston5316]

I dont mean to be so off topic but does any of you know of a way to get back into an Instagram account? I somehow lost my login password. I love any help you can offer me

[@Fer-on8mb]

this deserves millions of views!

[@beama999]

I agree!

[@SuperRayaz]

So proud of you, Maliha Chisti. You are an icon in our community! MashaAllah!!

[@carolpridgeon8200]

I agree!!

[@volkanozkose5632]

she sounds like she has a clarity of a mind more then a vision

[@EshanArya]

This is one of my favourite Ted Talks within the topic of foreign aid as it is well rounded and does not appear to be propaganda based. We need more of such talks because we have arguments and Ted Talks for and against foreign aid and each has presented data and examples to suit their points. We need to move towards very specific Ted Talks focussing on a narrowed down issue and the type of foreign aid in question. For instance, foreign aid includes (and is not restricted to) Bilateral Aid, Multilateral Aid, Tied Aid, Project Aid, Military Aid and Voluntary Aid. The nature of the aid, the context, the duration, the intention, the intended outcomes, the sustainability of the aid as well the communities and the after-effects of aid after it is stopped matter while arguing for or against it

[@linlinjia-u8c]

Omg after 7 years i can still use the logic and evidence for my debate!!!! This HELPS A LOT!!!😂

[@Levienkhoma]

Excellent, it makes you and Dambisa Moyo and a few others. Them, have a saviour mentality... we cant do without.

[@k1ra_12]

This is very profound insight. So painful, honest and true. Thank you so much

[@ugwudatim6109]

I am e xcited to hear the analysis of critical issues that can make or Mar every humanitarian effort in any setting. The focus on we and not they cripples the opportunity for sustainable impact of our department effort. What a brilliant presentation.👍

[@milanka882]

You could take this into the domestic setting as well. I come across so many Christians who do "community work" in their local area with an approach to those less fortunate them themselves that is a carbon copy of what she's describing in the video. Being disabled myself people sometimes see me as an "object of charity" where I apparently have nothing to bring to the table but the passive recipient of charity. Drives me nuts.

[@carolpridgeon8200]

Thanks so much for your input. Her talk reminded me in a deep way the lessons I learned by reading Waking Up White.

[@ariellesandrine558]

feel the same problem in Madagascar... Honest presentation ever

[@ewaoconnor]

People who are really willing to help know that it’s important to listen to people who are being helped. Aid is necessary to prevent people from dying but what is needed most is economic growth. Economic development will generate jobs that will lift people out of poverty. That’s how China lifted their entire population out of extreme poverty within just a few decades. Sadly it’s true that some people pretend to help and they benefit from charity or “aid”. The CEO of UNICEF in the US earns $600 000 a year…

[@cm6723]

Wow I have learnt so much and had my perspectives in forgien aid changed in twenties minutes

[@repblicmedia2023]

Touching. It is the bitter fact on the ground

[@mariamal-dogani3871]

Many thanks Dr. Maliha So honest and true , feel the same problem in Yemen

[@jinguwelakost]

Amazing. just amazing work.

[@Caktusdud.]

Ok just finished watching it What do we do How do we know when to act and how shall we act when a storm hits them or do we let it happen I think the only way to answer this is by asking the people what they as a society want us to do

[@tegaedwards]

Absolutely loved this presentation!❤

[@DouradaBambina]

Brilliant, so well spoken.

[@jstrattonlobdell4175]

Excellent argument to end all foreign aid and intervention. Let’s leave all cultures alone to rise or fall.

[@carolpridgeon8200]

Well, that would be ok if we didn't interfere with their politics, economy, or by warring against them for their resources.

[@jstrattonlobdell4175]

Exactly.

[@eliasflores1377]

I would also disagree i havea some limeted knowldge of Foreign aid but I do know that if we remove all aid from around the world it have some devestating impact.

[@tundeadebisi5371]

Thank you Champ.

[@youthcounselinghub7017]

Your speech is the way you are: just beautiful..

[@saeedbadini4285]

So profound and in depth observation and knowledge ....and hitting the stereotypical so called liberals ...using soft and tender touch...proud of you...

[@robertcao8484]

A Cultures of "Serving One Another" without complaint, can benefits all the People. Just a thought!

[@sooyoungchoi6476]

Makes me so humble..

[@jadiemcdonnell3921]

I fully agree with the conversation around aid and it not helping other countries- but the comparison between Afghanistan and Canada is not correct. This colonisation did happen in Toronto and in Canada - foreigners did come in and set up schools, passed by-laws to make local culture illegal and did it all in another language (English and French)- that was the colonisation of Turtle island 150 years ago. It is important to recognise that this did happen and is still happening in Canada and we are not questioning it..this is equally problematic.

[@dorpaimalumbangaol9608]

Thank you for sharing. Really insightful!

[@tygrallure6895]

I'm glad I watched this today.

[@massahkoroma6694]

Great Speech Mamdam thank you

[@JoeyBelmondo]

When your last name is Chishti, then you are connected to the ultimate humanitarian ... I am sure that she is aware of this

[@Sherjan0077]

Yes

[@thierryestiverne4686]

Am happy am watching this rn

[@mbabazi.o]

Whoever reading this, GOD knows what you are facing through, HE heard your cry, HE is going to deliver you. Just trust in HIM. may GOD bless and keep you loved one. HE is always with you

[@beninglintang4895]

Truly an eye opener! :"D

[@tanzilatariq6416]

Awesome 👍, u give clear meaning of Aid it's to help other infact they are making their own profit and that country holds burden of loan and interest

[@worldview730]

Now that this has been explained, what then is the proper solution, & how can it be achieved?

[@ningudo]

This was so excellent!

[@irismota3301]

Thank you :)

[@amineaitiazza4769]

Brilliant!

[@tomcunningham1973]

Thanks Maliha : Still i woud'nt mind Canadian society values "imposed on me ")

[@d_reeves1133]

If that's so than you should go to Canada, not everyone in your nation will share your values

[@danimima12]

Good on ya! Excellent!

[@rafeerlings8707]

An MSF picture comes up in the beginning and I think that's a big mistake: I don't think this talk applies to MSF ; seen the charter!

[@ewajo3877]

Excellent speach

[@jhonlouis6907]

this is exactly what happened in haiti after 2010

[@volkanozkose5632]

Respect

[@ruthpicknell224]

Best word ethical! Seems lost in the current world dialogue.

[@pervaizahmed2067]

millions of SALUTES TO U

[@volkanozkose5632]

I believe this policies are same acts of the Chine's government as well

[@deezynar]

We should just start by checking to see if they have a corrupt government, or have a system that supports all of their citizans' rights. Working to get those issues squared away is the most important way we can help.

[@kkawa6533]

or allow them to figure it out for THEMSELVES!!

[@carolpridgeon8200]

Excuse me, but the US has a corrupt government and system's that do not support all of our citizens rights.

[@vidascupcakes]

We fund Isreal 3 Billion a year!!! I'm homeless working ft in CA. WTF!!! I'm also a Meztiza who deserves more than 40 acres and a mule. WTF

[@Becoming_Hope]

At what point do "mistakes" become intentions? ... How many "mistakes" does it take? And allowing counties to be who they are means that the tyrants cannot steal and exploit the resources of those they want to "help" ... So, that's not going to happen.

[@danielemorandi2814]

Neo colonialism for ya

[@natashanonnattive4818]

Its a bad status worldwide. To transfer dividends to others is a pickle. We need a better mode.

[@veronicaalekwek1890]

This coursework very interested to be integrated into the place work as good topics to all of us as well as we used for our life and life of supporters to be managed wellness by government official and all partnership, it's supported all partnership

[@liaqatalihassanzadah4671]

The unfair distribution and cronyism have been another controversial aspect of donors aid to Afghanistan.

[@alexfinch1007]

I agree with her overarching point, and I am sure her first-hand accounts are accurate, but the suggestion that the developing world profits financially from giving aid seems absurd and she did not explain this at all. Aid is not a loan - for it to be considered aid it must be a grant. In 2022, the UK donated 342m pounds to Ukraine - a lot of this will be in the form of humanitarian resources, vital for effected people. How does the UK profit from this aside from indirectly mitigating the threat of Russia? Yes, the major multi-national charities may not always empower recipients of aid, but in most cases they are providing basic necessities in times of crisis.

[@chernorosmanjalloh2591]

Am impressed right, am in need of help

[@KwaleAkokundu]

So if you ask this intelligent local woman what she wanted for her future, did it vastly differ from the goals of the foreign aid goals? Likely not...

[@apricotcomputers3943]

lot's of speculation.. where's the data?

[@marionpage1668]

Very good, and so right.

[@zahid852]

Did yourself or your NGO embraced all what you are referring to in this Ted talk?

[@isvfisibi2931]

I am a Syrian young man looking for someone who can help me to leave Turkey because of the difficult living situation so that I can help my family to live

[@yasha4929]

omg. that is so funny to watch after the us left Afghanistan and now you can deal with it as you wanted, but why are all these people hanging on the plains?

[@JayTman0]

Yea all those changes you made in Afghanistan really lasted!

[@Budguy68]

The problem is that tax payers are forced to pay for this corruption. It should be a choice.

[@kandrex5]

Really? I thought we paid our portion of taxes then the leaders decide how it’s allocated. You’re not forced to pay anything. You are required to pay taxes. Smh.

[@Wildwonkywhack]

Is this including independent organizations like MSF or is it only aid dished out by governments directly?

[@sp4391]

just saying last time the west (united states) tried to empower traditional rule we ended up with current Iran sooooooooo

[@leomagachildcarefaundation1895]

Hi can u help me in my NGO

[@kforest2745]

The title: FIRST define “helping others.” Your system yaks and yaks and yaks about that word “help” and yet its education system has absolutely nothing to do with building independence. So NO, you’re NOT EVEN “helping” yourselves. You can’t help anyone until then.

[@TheGordyBoy1]

I'm a bit confused by what message she is trying to get across here? I understand it takes time for countries to develop, but if we stood back and waited for them to work themselves out and form a 'relatively good' functioning government, then aid-giving countries would be seen as not doing anything. It's a fact that many places in Afghanistan are corrupt, education levels are terribly low, there is a rapid rise in population, huge drug trade, ongoing small level conflicts. So what gets done? People need to go into those countries to facilitate the development and distribute the aid, be in money, services, or good, otherwise, there is a high chance anything that is sent over won't be used in an effective manner.

[@moira4784]

The idea isn't stop giving aid. But you can't say you are helping a country if all the "aid" doesn't even trickle down to the poorest of the country. Much of the aid goes into the functioning of these NGOs. Salaries and packages for their upper level foreign workers when that country has college graduates. You can't say you want to help if you don't even have local members and the governmental entities at the table when big decisions are being made. If you look up.Rwanda you can see how things have changed. NGOs are required to hire locally. They are required to involve the ministry at every step. And if you look at it now Rwanda is doing so well.

[@DipakBose-bq1vv]

Now, who wants these peanuts from Britain??????

[@sha.is_tha]

Help me

[@keiths2079]

Stop it then …keep every pound/dollar for its own country and people ..no problem

[@chancelife7720]

i think this has to be tell to NIGERIANS they always run to other countrys to develop them and leave theres on the low.

[@Indonesiansurftravel]

I only got to the 3:41 mark....but to say foreign aid is pointless is silly, I've seen first hand in remote Indonesia villages the positive benefits of aid programs for villages, virtually eliminating malaria, big reduction in other ,medical problems, and improvement in living standards through clean water programs etc Yeah 100% foreign aid is a two way street for governments, for example Australia focusses on Aid to Indonesia because it's its neighbour, it ensures a good relationship and to work on issues like counter terrorism, border protection, contagious disease prevention etc Thats just the tip of the iceberg.

[@Caktusdud.]

About a third of the way into the video and I am already furious this should change asap it's no wonder why those countries 1 haven't been much different despite our efforts and 2 some countries have resorted to things like piracy for survival

[@hughmccarthy1166]

🇦🇫 🙏🙏🤝🤝🇮🇪

[@cynthiavail]

Some truths here and also a lot of opinions and propaganda. As a researcher, she should know better than to paint with such a broad and dark brush. The social complexities stem both ways.

[@takeleabreham7950]

Hello how are you our honers , I want to say something in this comment my name is Takele Abreham Tuke from Ethiopian,I born from poorest family in Ethiopia , I am student but I don't have enough material to study please help me please please,thanks

[@inconspicuousg.o.a.t535]

Where is time stamp go??

[@zimboplanet6610]

Ratio

[@cmingo85]

I think “Dr” has a point, aid lacks smart and invested local people, countries lack the capacity to do this themselves and somehow others come in and do it for them. But I’m profoundly bother by the hypocrisy of her tone and believe “countries are unequal”. A read of factfullness would help her case, All counties have millionaires, it is societies that are unequal. If the people in the country would be invested in caring for their country it is less likely someone from a third country would or could come in an play expert. Just look at China...

[@favoritepops7199]

I think the best aid-like country is China. People should notice china nation gentle to help other suffering countries.

[@samantafabbris1286]

The new ways of colonization are absurd.

[@hakun85]

Always an agenda

[@KwaleAkokundu]

9:00 Because in most countries near to not existing institutions, schools and clinics are replaced with something. This presentation makes no sense, the birth of wokeness...

[@connorlynch1992]

Hang on flooded? You forgot Russia before 2001?

[@ansab91]

Halp me

[@viktorandjelkovic456]

Everything she says is great, but she has such an irritating voice

[@carolpridgeon8200]

What's that got to do with the subject????

[@kumarg4249]

People have other things to do.. Speak louder and more quickly please, whenever you've to speak in public, like this, in future...

[@AnkhArcRod]

She used the time she was allotted for the talk. If you are in a real hurry, you are in luck! KZbin offers you a way of viewing the same video at upto 2x the speed! Her speech pattern is one of poise and projecting power. You may not it, but it is a legitimate and successful speech style. To each his own and thank youtube for the 2x option.

[@carolpridgeon8200]

For Heaven's sake...change to another youtube video if you don't enjoy this one. You have a choice!

[@aliahmadsabawoon623]

The most irrelevant comment I could find for the ongoing discussion here.