Philanthropy & Humanitarian Aid in the Arab World: Maysa Jalbout’s Reading List

Maysa Jalbout is a global education advocate, philanthropy executive and impact advisor who has led the establishment of a number of foundations in the region including Al Ghurair Foundation and the Queen Rania Foundation. She joined us on the afikra podcast to explain to where philanthropy is in the Arab world and if there are any long-term benefits from it. As a follow up to the podcast episode, we asked her for books or resources that could help us learn more about philanthropy, humanitarian aid and the Middle East. Here’s what she shared.

 

Shifting Sands: Shifting Power Degan Ali

This article in the Chandler Foundation’s Social Investor publication is written by Degan Ali, industry pioneer in decolonizing aid and philanthropy. You can read it for free via this link (pages 25-30). Maysa also interviewed Ali on her podcast, The Impact Room.

Reimagining Philanthropy in the Global South: From Analysis to Action in a Post-COVID World

Published by Cambridge University, this is an important contribution to understanding how philanthropy is changing and being reshaped by philanthropists in emerging economies. Maysa co-authored Chapter 7, titled “A Call to Invest in Resilience,”  Open Access via Cambridge University Press


My Fourth Time, We Drowned, Sally Hayden

An important new book to read for anyone who wants to understand what is happening with refugees trying to get to Europe and what is not being reported by the media. 

Mandela: The Lost Tapes

Many people have read Mandela's autobiography Long Walk to Freedom, but Maysa says she found it even more moving to hear his voice and intimate thoughts while he was working with his ghostwriter Richard Stengal. Available on Audible


The New Humanitarian Podcast

Maysa listens to the New Humanitarian podcast on a regular basis. It's a high-quality, honest source of information and expertise on humanitarian issues. Listen here

The Impact Room Podcast

Maysa’s own podcast creates space to connect people and ideas that are making a real difference to our world. Listen to stories of success (and failure) from a host of global guests, all working to solve some of the world’s most intractable development challenges. Discover more

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