Effective Altruism: Global Solutions for Local Problems

Effective Altruism (EA) is a global community of individuals invested in the mission of bringing systemic solutions to the world’s problems. Yet, at the same time, its core structure is differentiated. EA is a community, a movement, and an invaluable resource for meaningful philanthropy.

The Need for A New Corporate Social Model

As we look for collaborations through which we can actualize our corporate social responsibility, we want to find initiatives that address the unique problems, needs, and culture of local communities. This returns us to the discussion in the previous article regarding literacy. Providing books might work to raise literacy skills in a location where there are few threats to health and safety. But in a village where children cannot come to school because of disease, addressing the disease is the way to improve literacy.

“Becoming an effective altruist enables you to have a solid basis for self-esteem on which you can feel your life was really worth living.” Peter Singer

As corporate leaders, how can we design our social responsibility strategies so that we become true agents of change? How do we know that our investment will return improved conditions for local communities? The old way of doing philanthropy does not fit the new corporate social model.

How Can We Maximize Philanthropic Investment?

GiveWell is a nonprofit founded in 2006 by Holden Karnofsky and Eli Hassenfeld, former analysts at Bridgewater Associates, a well-known hedge-fund. Utilizing the same investment analysis approach used on Wall Street, Karnofsky and Hassenfeld created a platform that empowers philanthropists to create net outcomes in the world. After considerable scrutiny and analysis, GiveWell presents a list of charitable organizations that save or improve lives the most per dollar.

GiveWell is joined by other nonprofits that utilize the effective altruism model of philanthropy. Giving What We Can identify effective charities and 80,000 Hours conducts research on which careers have the largest social impact. Through organizations such as these, we can identify initiatives like Population Service International that address the unique needs, problems, and culture of local communities.

On A Mission to Help People Lead Healthier Lives

Population Service International (PSI) is an excellent example of an effective altruism initiative whose mission is widespread, yet its objectives are carried out according to local problems, needs, and culture.

The mission of PSI is to create solutions that enable people in the developing world to lead healthier lives. It operates in Africa, the Caribbean, South America, and Asia. Partnering with local ministries of health and community clinics, PSI provides services, products, and community education designed to address the most pressing health issues in each region, including:

· child health

· contraception

· gender-based violence

· sexually transmitted infections

· maternal health

· malaria

· respiratory illness

· non-communicable diseases (heart disease, cancer, stroke)

water sanitation/hygiene

In the Caribbean, PSI is working in partnership with the Trinidad & Tobago Ministry of Health to prevent deaths and illnesses due to cervical cancer and non-communicable diseases. Community awareness campaigns educate women and girls about the importance of cancer screenings. At the same time, investments are being made in local clinics to improve their capacity to conduct cancer screenings and provide treatment.

Conclusion

By making philanthropic investments in organizations such as PSI, we become partners in the process of creating systemic change at the local level. The net outcome is measurable. Our investment is maximized.