Development Matters February Meetup - Rescheduled

Please note the rescheduled date for this Meetup (postponed earlier due to the historic DC snowstorm): Now Thursday, February 25th.

Please join us for a special Development Matters Meetup on Thursday, February 25th as we welcome filmmakers Landon Van Soest and Jeremy Levine for a screening and brainstorming session for the documentary, Good Fortune (https://www.transientpictures.com/home.html), which explores how massive international efforts to alleviate poverty in Africa may be undermining the very communities they aim to benefit. We’ll begin the screening promptly at 6:30pm (with snacks provided) at the Center for Global Development* (1800 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Third Floor, Washington, DC). After the film, Landon and Jeremy will turn to our audience of development professionals to facilitate a discussion with the following questions in mind:

• What is happening with legislation on foreign aid/international development (specifically the Foreign Assistance Act) and how might the film be positioned to inform decision making?
• How can we get the film in front of legislators?
• Which organizations would be most interested in using the film?
• How can the film be used to further the mission of these organizations?
• What additional information should be included in discussion guides and curriculum to supplement the film?
• What effective and progressive organizations should we recommend our audience get involved with?

We intend to keep attendance somewhat small in order to facilitate the best discussion possible. Please come prepared to share your thoughts and expertise on foreign aid/international development!

About the film: Through intimate portraits of two Kenyans battling to save their homes from large-scale development organizations, GOOD FORTUNE presents a unique opportunity to experience foreign aid through the people it is intended to benefit. In the rural countryside, Jackson’s farm is being flooded by an American investor who hopes to alleviate poverty by creating a multi-million dollar rice farm. Across the country in Nairobi, Silva’s home and business in Africa’s largest informal settlement are being demolished as part of a United Nations slum-upgrading project. Interweaving meditative portraits of its characters, GOOD FORTUNE examines the real-world impact of international aid. With a broad scope and intimate style, the film portrays gripping stories of human perseverance and suggests that the answers for Africa lie in the resilience of its people.

*Please bring photo identification per our building’s security procedures.