Home › Blogs › Ken ›

Blog Posts by Kenneth Bacon

President's Corner: Amplifying Obama’s message to Africa
July 13, 2009 Kenneth Bacon

President Obama could have amplified the impact of his speech in Africa last week, if he had invited two prominent Africans—Kofi Annan and Dr. Mo Ibrahim-- to Ghana with him.  Both illustrate his central theme that “Africa’s future is up to Africans.” 

President's Corner: Lionel Rosenblatt Honored with the Julia Taft Award
July 08, 2009 Kenneth Bacon

Tonight, at InterAction’s Forum 2009, I am honored to be introducing the former president of Refugees International, Lionel Rosenblatt, as he receives the prestigious Julia Taft Award.  The award acknowledges the extraordinary efforts of individuals and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to the humanitarian and development community, and it is difficult to think of anyone more deserving of this award than Lionel. The following is a transcript of my introduction:
President’s Corner: Obama’s speech and displacement in the Muslim World
June 08, 2009 Kenneth Bacon Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, South Sudan, Sudan, U.S. Administration

President Obama’s speech to the Muslim World in Cairo was a complete home run.

He highlighted the shared religious values of peace and justice that unify the People of the Book--Jews, Christians and Muslims who live by their Holy texts, the Talmud, the Bible and the Koran. He addressed the differences that currently divide the faiths, and he proposed paths for dialogue, partnership and peace in the future.
President's Corner: Thank You, Annie Duke
May 11, 2009 Kenneth Bacon

We live in a nation of second-guessers, and I am one of them.

On the night of Sunday, May 10, I went to the American Museum of Natural History in New York as part of the live audience for the final episode of The Celebrity Apprentice.  One contestant, professional poker player Annie Duke, was playing for Refugees International (every contestant plays for a charity).  I was certain she was going to win, but at the end of the three-hour finale to the reality TV series, Donald Trump pointed at her and said:  "Annie, you're fired."  
President's Corner: Malaria, Refugees and Life Saving Nets
April 27, 2009 Kenneth Bacon

The following was featured on UN Dispatch to mark the passing of World Malaria Day: 

When Refugees International visited the Nyabiheke camp for Congolese refugees in Rwanda, we asked a doctor there to describe the camp's biggest health problem and her most urgent need. Without hesitation, Dr. Ann Kao said the biggest problem in the camp was malaria, and her biggest need was bed nets to protect families from mosquito bites in their sleep.