Ideas change everything

To end extreme poverty, give cash — not advice

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Rory Stewart |

TED2024

• April 2024

Are traditional philanthropy efforts actually taking money from the poor? Former UK Member of Parliament Rory Stewart breaks down why many global development projects waste money on programs that don't work. He advocates for a radical reversal rooted in evidence: giving unconditional cash transfers directly to those in need, a method that could unlock the secret of addressing extreme poverty worldwide.

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Want to use TED Talks in your organization?

Are traditional philanthropy efforts actually taking money from the poor? Former UK Member of Parliament Rory Stewart breaks down why many global development projects waste money on programs that don't work. He advocates for a radical reversal rooted in evidence: giving unconditional cash transfers directly to those in need, a method that could unlock the secret of addressing extreme poverty worldwide.

Want to use TED Talks in your organization?

This talk was presented at an official TED conference.

Read our curation guidelines.

Donate cash to families living in extreme poverty through GiveDirectly.

Join the direct giving movement and learn more about the research.

About the speaker

Professor, former Member of Parliament, UK

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Politics On the Edge

Rory Stewart | Jonathan Cape (2023)

Rory Stewart - *Politics On the Edge*

This talk was presented at an official TED conference.

Read our curation guidelines.

Donate cash to families living in extreme poverty through GiveDirectly.

Join the direct giving movement and learn more about the research.