Paul Currion's guest appearances

Paul Currion

Giving Thought

Jeff Bezos

Michael Moody

Rob Reich

Jeremy Heimans

Rich Collins

Teddy Schleifer

Will Moy

Connie Gallippi

Andrew Rudd

Rob Cope

Andy Haldane

Jon Dean

Beth Kanter

Zoe Amar

Paul Vallely

OwlTail

Ben Joakim

In this episode (number 29), I chat to Ben Joakim and Paul Currion from Disberse - a fintech startup applying blockchain technology to the international development and aid sector. We had a wide-ranging chat about the challenges they have found in getting beyond the hype surrounding blockchain, and the genuine opportunities they believe the technology has to offer. Including: -Why blockchain? What can you do with a blockchain in an aid context that you can't do with another, simpler technology? -The last mile problem: how do you get money and goods to where they are actually needed when using blockchain, assuming that people and communities on the ground are not themselves using the technology? -Regulation: how are governments and regulators approaching blockchain technology? What challenges does this present for those trying to use it in a civil society context? -Cryptocurrency: Why have Disberse chosen not to work with existing cryptocurrencies? What are the opportunities and pitfalls of doing so? -State of blockchain for good: How much of what has been said about blockchain tech's potential in the civil society space is merely hype, and how much reflects true potential to do this differently or better? And where do things go next?   Related Material:  Disberse  CAF's work on blockchain tech  CAF's Future:Good project Could blockchain be the future for cross-border giving? (My article for European Fundraising Association) 

In this episode (number 29), I chat to Ben Joakim and Paul Currion from Disberse - a fintech startup applying blockchain technology to the international development and aid sector. We had a wide-ranging chat about the challenges they have found in getting beyond the hype surrounding blockchain, and the genuine opportunities they believe the technology has to offer. Including: -Why blockchain? What can you do with a blockchain in an aid context that you can't do with another, simpler technology? -The last mile problem: how do you get money and goods to where they are actually needed when using blockchain, assuming that people and communities on the ground are not themselves using the technology? -Regulation: how are governments and regulators approaching blockchain technology? What challenges does this present for those trying to use it in a civil society context? -Cryptocurrency: Why have Disberse chosen not to work with existing cryptocurrencies? What are the opportunities and pitfalls of doing so? -State of blockchain for good: How much of what has been said about blockchain tech's potential in the civil society space is merely hype, and how much reflects true potential to do this differently or better? And where do things go next? Related Material: <ul> <li><a href="http://www.disberse.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Disberse</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.cafonline.org/about-us/caf-campaigns/campaigning-for-a-giving-world/future-good/blockchain" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> CAF's work on blockchain tech</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.cafonline.org/about-us/caf-campaigns/campaigning-for-a-giving-world/future-good" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> CAF's Future:Good project</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.efa-net.eu/features-and-opinions/expert-view/740-expert-view-could-blockchain-be-the-future-for-cross-border-giving" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Could blockchain be the future for cross-border giving? (My article for European Fundraising Association)</a></li> </ul>

Ben Joakim & Paul Currion from Disberse: Philanthropy, International Aid and blockchain technology