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Blog Posts by Michael Boyce

Burma: Look to the Locals
April 16, 2012 Michael Boyce Burma, Humanitarian Response, Asia

Earlier this month, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton unveiled the next steps America would take in its tit-for-tat rapprochement with Burma. Her announcement followed the (by most accounts) successful Burmese by-elections, in which Aung San Suu Kyi's once-banned political party won 43 of the 45 open seats.

Burma: For a Moment, Let's Just Be Happy
April 02, 2012 Michael Boyce Burma, Humanitarian Response, Asia, Protection & Security, Statelessness

Advocacy groups like RI are in the business of trying to make things better. One knock-on effect of that mission is that even when good things happen, we can't relax or rest on our laurels. Instead, we have to go back to work the next day and start pressing for something even better.

But I must confess that even though I work in advocacy, I get irritated by this tendency at times. Every so often, I wish that we could just stop for a moment and take pleasure in the fact that something has gotten better.

RI to Congress: Political Pressure Can Help Somalis
March 28, 2012 Michael Boyce Africa, Congress, Ethiopia - Eritrea, Kenya, Somalia, Humanitarian Response, Protection & Security

Mark Yarnell, RI's advocate for the Horn of Africa, appeared on Capitol Hill following his recent mission to Kenya and Ethiopia. He told members of Congress that political leverage (not just aid money) is needed to ensure Somali refugees get the help they need.

As Mark told members of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission of the U.S. House of Representatives, "where we do have control, and where we do have access, it is our responsibility to ensure that the needs of the most vulnerable are being met."

From Canada, to Libya, to a New Libya
March 01, 2012 Michael Boyce Libya, Middle East, Women & Children

Today we're proud to feature a special guest post by Alaa Murabit, founder of the Voice of Libyan Women.

Combating "Compassion Fatigue" and Other Reporting Challenges
February 06, 2012 Michael Boyce Africa, Humanitarian Response

Today, we're pleased to bring you a special guest post by acclaimed journalist Brooke Gladstone. This post originally appeared on the Impatient Optimists blog at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.