The Uncertain Business of Doing Good: Outsiders in Africa

From Doctor Livingstone 150 years ago to the rock star Bono today, outsiders have championed foreign intervention in Africa through political, economic, and health care reforms. Though frequently exploitative, the relationship between Westerners and Africa is also often propelled by an almost irresistible urge to 'do good.' But underlying good intentions there often is a hierarchical belief that we, as outsiders, somehow know what is best for Africa.

Larry Krotz is an award-winning writer, a filmmaker, and the author of five books, including Midlifeman: A Book for Guys and the Women Who Want to Understand Them and Tourists: How Our Fastest Growing Industry is Changing the World. Over the past twenty-five years he has traveled to a number of African countries, where he produced the documentary film Searching for Hawa's Secret and wrote extensively for magazines and newspapers on scientific research and foreign aid projects. He lives in Toronto.