February 2012 Meeting

Anthropological Contributions to Designing a Conflict Zone Livelihood Recovery Project in Afghanistan

2011 Praxis Award Honorable Mention Project

Tuesday, 7 February 2012, 7:00 pm
Sumner School, Rotating Gallery G-4 (ground floor)
Dinner, Beacon Bar and Grill, 5:30 pm

Description:  In 2008 an anthropologist working for an international NGO co-designed a $60 million one year emergency agricultural recovery program for northern Afghanistan in response to drought and increasing food insecurity.  At conclusion it had assisted 341,301 small farms (1.7 million individuals) to regain their own food security. Through cultural sensitivity and local knowledge, consultation and community involvement, the program maintained local dignity, self-determination, and participant ownership, while enhancing local productive relationships.  This was the largest program of its kind ever implemented by the US government.  Project success led to national expansion and time extensions that continue to 2011.

Speaker:  Adam Koons is Director of Relief, International Relief and Development (IRD), and has been working in development and relief for 30 years. The work he will be describing earned him a 2011 PRAXIS honorable mention. Dr. Koons has worked for a wide variety of humanitarian agencies, including the U.S. Peace Corps, USAID, CARE International, Save the Children, the United Nations, and President Carter’s Presidential Commission on World Hunger, as well as on numerous consulting assignments. Before joining IRD, he served for more than three years as the Sudan Country Director for Save the Children, overseeing a $32 million program with over 1,000 staff. Dr. Koons specializes in food security, economic development, and disaster relief, and has over 20 years of overseas experience in countries such as Haiti, Niger, Sudan, Cameroon, and Kenya, holding a number of different positions, including technical training coordinator, evaluation director, food aid advisor, project and program manager, and agency country director. He holds a Doctorate Degree in Economics and Applied Anthropology from American University in Washington, D.C.

Meeting:  Charles Sumner School, corner of 17th St and M St NW, Washington, DC

How to get there:  The Sumner School is located at 1201 17th St NW (corner of 17th St and M St NW).  The entrance to the meeting area is on 17th St under the black metal stairway. Directions from Metro Red Line: From Farragut North station, take either L St exit, walk one block east to 17th St, turn left and walk 2 blocks north.  Enter the building through the double doors under the black metal staircase.  NEW MEETING ROOM:  Rotating Gallery G-4 (ground floor)

Dinner:  Beacon Bar & Grill (one block north of Sumner School)

How to get there:  The Beacon Bar & Grill is in the Beacon Hotel located at 1615 Rhode Island Ave NW (corner of Rhode Island and 17th St).  Directions from Metro Red Line Farragut North station: take either L St exit, walk one block east to 17th St, turn left and walk 3 blocks north (one block past Sumner School).  All are welcome.