Books reviews: Dead aid, by Dambisa Moyo

Book review: MOYO, D. (2009). Dead aid: why aid is not working and how there is a better way for Africa. New York, Farrar, Straus, and Giroux. Over the past 50 years, rich countries have provided more than one trillion dollars for Africa in order to promote the development of this continent. Does such a…

Books reviews: Development as Freedom, by Amartya Sen

Born in India, Amartya Sen is one of the world’s leading political economists. In his book “Development as Freedom” (1999), Sen believes that economic growth, social justice, and human rights should be considered as a centerpiece of economic development. In this book, he demonstrates the relationship between freedom and development, emphasizing that freedom is both…

Wind, by Thao Do

I am the autumn windFlying nowhere on the endless meadowsI am the river stream Flowing nowhere across the forests pines I am the dandelion flower Floating nowhere following the wild winds The winds will eventually whirl in the storm The streams will eventually merge in the big ocean The flowers will eventually land make fields home…I belong to nowhere.. Brighton,…

The homeless girl, by Thao Do

Winds. Little cool winds swiftly blow over my face. Rain.Small water bubbles hop on my cat umbrella drop by drop. Falling leaves.Yellow-orange leaves fall loosely between my fingers’ space. With backpack on the shoulder, I stroll along the street A squirrel comes across my way I ask “Where are you going, dear Little Squirrel?”The squirrel replies “I am collecting almonds…

Flowers on the road, by Thao Do

I met youThe little yellow flower on the roadYou are there, on the green baseSlightly swaying in the wind.. Rain comes and goes, so does the sunWinter comes and goes, so does the spring.You are still thereStrive stronger and wirier Like trees in the forest.Always toward the sun. Like bird’s wings on the sky.Always young and free. Brighton, 12…

Funding your PhD study

“If you don’t like the road you’re walking, start paving another one.” (Dolly Parton)  Summarizing this year’s enrollment season, I received Ph.D. scholarships from three universities in the UK, majoring in Social Science and Computer Science. I wrote a note of my journey to thank everyone around me who gave me a lot of support…

Launching a career in International Development field

I had a talk with students from the Universities of Humanities and Social Sciences, Vietnam on launching a career in International Development field. NGO’s work comes with many myths: low salary, frequent travel, charity work, and so on. Some are true, but the majority are not. For my seven years of working and travelling in…

Publications

Thao, D. (2019). Preparing for the new school year, COVID-19: Will we be able to reap the benefits of AI in education? AIDA (Artificial Intelligence 4 Development). Available at: https://ai4da.com/reaping-the-benefits-of-artificial-intelligence-in-education/ Thao, D. (2019). Enhancing early warning system through application of machine learning. In: Natural Disasters and Multi-hazard Early Warning Systems in South Asia. South Asia…

Home, by Warsan Shire

no one leaves home unlesshome is the mouth of a sharkyou only run for the borderwhen you see the whole city running as well

The white consultant, by Amelia Kami

dear white consultant,you are not of the pacific islands.you are entranced by our grace,in awe of our strengthbutso quick to judge our mistakes,so quick to share your thoughtson how to fix us,how to better us as if your ancestors had not tried before. dear white consultant,you are not of the pacific islands.you are a descendant…